Middletown holds public hearing on CDBG 2026 draft, outlines neighborhood and supportive services spending
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Summary
At a public hearing April 7, the council heard a staff presentation on the draft Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2026 annual action plan, which prioritizes neighborhood revitalization, supportive services, economic development and housing; staff recommended roughly $312,500 for neighborhood revitalization and used a 15% public‑services cap to calculate allocations.
Mindy Mueller of Community Development Professionals presented the draft Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan during the Middletown City Council meeting on April 7, describing HUD priorities and proposed allocations for program year May 1, 2026–April 30, 2027.
The plan follows the city’s five‑year consolidated plan and lists four priorities: neighborhood revitalization, supportive services, economic development and housing availability for low‑ and moderate‑income households. Mueller told council the city is an entitlement community and reminded members that HUD sets national objectives and spending caps, including a 15% cap on public‑service spending and 20% for planning and administration.
Staff outlined specific draft allocations in the presentation: $312,500 was recommended for neighborhood revitalization, with public‑service funding sized against the 15% cap (the staff presentation referenced an illustrative figure of about $104,369 for that category). Mueller said housing projects continue to be coordinated through the Butler County consortium rather than through local CDBG housing allocations and described the city’s process of issuing annual requests for proposals and reviewing applications. She also explained that a 30‑day public comment period opens April 8 and runs through May 8, with paper copies available at the Community and Economic Development Department, the community center and the library and the draft posted online.
Why it matters: CDBG funds are federal dollars routed to entitlement communities to support anti‑poverty, anti‑blight and urgent needs. The draft plan and any public comments will be incorporated into a final plan submitted to HUD for the city’s 2026 program year. Mueller said the city typically receives its formal HUD allocation in May and final HUD–city contract paperwork usually follows later in the year.
Next steps: The council conducted the hearing and accepted public comment through the formal comment window; staff will collect written comments and return with a draft annual action plan for council consideration and submission to HUD.
