Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the CDBG Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mount Vernon holds first public hearing on 2026 CDBG allocations; nonprofits request funds for shelter, food storage and roof repairs
Summary
At a March 11 hearing staff estimated roughly $377,614 in CDBG funds for 2026. Applicants asked for capital and operating support including Community Action ($10,000 for toilets), Skagit Cleaners ($55,000 for a walk‑in cooler) and Friendship House (roof repairs, ~$85,000); council set deliberations for committee and a draft action plan will return for adoption.
Mount Vernon — The City opened the first of two public hearings on its 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation on March 11, receiving presentations from local nonprofits seeking housing, shelter and food‑security funding.
Steve Sexton, development services staff, told council the city is working off a $377,614 estimate for available CDBG funds this year and reminded members that federal rules cap public services at 15% of the total allocation (about $56,642 under the estimate). That constraint framed the evening’s requests, which collectively exceeded available public‑service dollars.
Applicants summarized project needs and impacts:
- Laura Eberhard of Community Action of Skagit County asked for $10,000 in capital funds to replace 10 aging toilets at the Family Development Center, a short‑term shelter for families. Eberhard said new high‑efficiency, higher‑capacity fixtures will reduce maintenance costs and conserve water while supporting the shelter’s operations.
- Morgan Curry, executive director of Skagit Cleaners, requested $55,000 to add a third 20‑foot walk‑in cooler/freezer to expand the nonprofit’s Saturday night free public food distribution. Curry said the additional unit would enable storage of large donations and increase annual distribution capacity (projected to serve about 1,200 households and 4,000 individuals).
- Friendship House requested capital funding to replace the roof on its men’s shelter (an estimated $85,000) and also submitted a public‑services request to help cover operating costs for the shelter, women’s and children’s programs and the community cafe.
- The Housing Authority of Skagit County presented a request for repairs and preservation work at the historic President Apartments, which serves households at or below 80% AMI; agency staff described frequent plumbing and maintenance needs and asked the council to consider supportive capital assistance.
Council members asked questions about project budgets, matching funds and alternatives. Sexton said staff will bring the applications to the development services committee for deliberation next week; a draft annual action plan and budget will be presented to the full council for a 30‑day public comment period and final adoption in late April/May.
Next steps: staff will post the NOFA and application materials, continue committee deliberations and return a draft annual action plan for council review and adoption with public comment.
