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Bell Gardens council allocates FY2026–27 CDBG funding for home repairs and lead testing

Bell Gardens City Council and Successor Agency to the Community Development Commission · January 27, 2026

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Summary

The Bell Gardens City Council adopted a resolution approving FY2026–27 CDBG allocations, directing roughly $400,000 to a residential rehabilitation grant program (about $30,000 per household for ~10 projects) and $56,796 to a lead testing and abatement program tied to those homes.

The Bell Gardens City Council on Jan. 26 approved a resolution allocating Community Development Block Grant funds for fiscal year 2026–27 to a residential rehabilitation program and a paired lead testing and abatement program. Community Development Director Manuel Acosta presented staff’s recommendation and the council adopted the resolution after a public hearing with no public speakers.

Acosta said staff proposes allocating about $400,000 to a residential rehab program that would provide grant awards—approximately $30,000 each—toward repairs such as roof replacement, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, window and door replacement, interior and exterior paint, and accessibility improvements for seniors and people with disabilities. The program is designed to assist low- and moderate-income homeowners (the program can cover single-family homes and owner-occupied buildings with up to four units) and is estimated to fund roughly 10 projects in the first year, in addition to covering staff costs to implement the program.

The council also approved $56,796 for a lead testing and abatement program that staff described as complementary to the rehab grants: homes selected for rehab work would be tested for lead and, if needed, abatement work would occur before improvements proceed.

Mayor Miguel De La Rosa closed the public hearing after staff’s presentation and moved to adopt Resolution No. 2026-09, which passed on a roll-call vote. The council’s action directs staff to submit the project descriptions and funding allocations to the Los Angeles County Development Authority and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for program-year review and approval.

Why it matters: The CDBG-funded program aims to preserve housing stock and make homes safer for low- and moderate-income residents, including accessibility upgrades for seniors and people with disabilities. The lead-abatement component is intended to mitigate health risks before renovation work begins.

Next steps: Staff will prepare the program guidelines, applicant eligibility criteria and outreach materials and return with implementation details and timelines as the city finalizes agreements with LACDA and HUD.