Visalia reviews draft 2026 CDBG and HOME allocations and a 2025 amendment tied to shelter development

The city’s housing specialist, Margie Perez, briefed council on the draft 2026 annual action plan for HUD entitlement funds (CDBG and HOME) and a proposed amendment to the 2025 action plan. Perez explained estimated resources (CDBG projected at roughly $1.1M plus program income for a $1.2M total estimate; HOME estimated at $425K plus program income for a $525K total) and described proposed allocations including administrative caps, public services, homebuyer/repair programs, code enforcement and public‑facility improvements.

Key items flagged in the draft included $140,000 for Lincoln Oval Park improvements (fencing/lighting), $245,000 for downtown tree‑well ADA improvements (selected following the Disability Advocacy Committee’s input), $100,000 for a single‑family home repair program, $100,000 for a senior mobile home repair program, and public‑service funding for outreach and housing flex funds. Perez said the draft is on a 30‑day public comment period (March 20–April 20) and staff will return with final allocations and HUD’s actual allocation numbers before the May 15 HUD submission deadline.

Council and public questions focused on whether operational funding for navigation center services is included (staff said PLHA funds are used for ongoing operations while CDBG has limitations via the 15% public service cap) and whether fencing Lincoln Oval Park could impede emergency response; staff noted the project would go through site plan review so details could be adjusted.

A downtown stakeholder urged clarity on whether property owners’ districts would share costs for downtown tree‑well work; staff confirmed ADA tree‑well work responded to an expressed need from the Disability Advocacy Committee and that it is a public CDBG ADA‑compliance project.

Next steps: staff will return with final numbers on April 20 and complete a consolidated plan update and NOFA results as necessary.