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Merced holds first public hearing on 2026 HUD annual action plan; housing, homeless services and job training top resident needs
Summary
City staff presented preliminary scoring and funding recommendations for the 2026 HUD Annual Action Plan, including CDBG and HOME projects; residents urged eviction protections, inclusionary zoning and more tenant services during the public hearing and 31-day comment period.
City staff presented the draft 2026 HUD Annual Action Plan in a public hearing March 16, outlining proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funding recommendations and a 31-day public comment period from March 23 to April 22.
Housing analyst Kim Nunn said the city collected 99 survey responses and held multiple outreach workshops; top housing needs identified were special-needs housing (seniors, disabled, domestic violence survivors and people experiencing homelessness), down-payment assistance and repairs for owner-occupied homes. For public services the survey prioritized services for special-needs persons, homeless services and youth programs; economic-development needs cited job training and small-business assistance.
Nunn summarized scoring results and preliminary allocations: Sierra’s Giving Grace, Project Sentinel (tenant–landlord mediation), Harvest Time Food Distribution and the Boys & Girls Club were recommended for public-service funding; the community action agency’s weatherization/home rehab application was proposed for HOME funds. Staff emphasized these budget figures are estimates because HUD’s final allocation had not been announced and will be finalized after the comment period.
Residents urged broader tenant protections and affordability tools during public comment. Ashley Marie Suarez asked the council to include an eviction-protection program, stronger inclusionary zoning (above the current 5% set-aside) and a rental registry and inspection program in the housing element and budget priorities. Suarez said such measures would help close “gaps in resources” for tenants facing retaliation and habitability problems.
Housing staff Leah Brown and Nunn responded to questions from councilmembers, saying some applications from earlier years will continue the approval process into 2026; program implementation and minor edits may be required to meet California HCD requirements. Councilmember Smith asked whether HUD funding could be leveraged with Section 108 loan authority to help capital projects such as the shortfall on Fire Station 56; staff said Section 108 is a potential loan source and noted the city has submitted federal earmark requests for station funding.
The hearing closes the first required public meeting on the draft plan; staff will publish materials for the 31-day public-comment period and return with a final recommendation for adoption after the public review period and subsequent hearings.
