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Residents urge Westland to prioritize infrastructure as council reviews $1.25M in HUD funds
Summary
At a public hearing on Westland's 2026-27 CDBG and HOME annual plan, Director Campbell said HUD allocations total $1,038,403 (CDBG) and $212,250 (HOME). Residents urged prioritizing infrastructure and limiting salary support; the citizen advisory committee split 2-2 on police funding.
Council opened a public hearing on the city's 2026-27 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME annual plan, with Director Campbell telling the council the city has received $1,038,403 in CDBG funds and $212,250 in HOME funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Resident Christina Worm said CDBG funds should "prioritize infrastructure" such as roads, sidewalks and water systems and should only pay salaries directly tied to administering the program and compliance oversight. "Every possible dollar should be directed back into visible, meaningful community improvements," she said.
Director Campbell explained how the funds are allocated across eligible census tracts and noted the citizen advisory committee reviewed the administration's recommendations at an April 14 meeting. The committee supported most proposals but was split 2''on the proposed allocation for the Westland Police Department; Campbell said a follow-up email from another committee member supported funding for the department.
Several residents echoed Worm's call for infrastructure spending. Theresa Thomas described deteriorating streets and months-old repairs in the Norwein neighborhood and said residents "want change." Mr. Warren argued the agenda's $110,000 line for "community police officers" was mislabeled and inappropriate, saying Westland lacks a genuine community policing program and that the city should not appropriate those funds without clearer accountability.
Other commenters pressed officials to provide a comprehensive list of neighborhood repair needs; Worm said the city has received at least $1,000,000 a year in CDBG funds since 1975 and questioned why a consolidated list of infrastructure needs is not available.
City housing and community stakeholders, including representatives of local summer-youth programs and the Westland Housing Commission, urged continued support for programs that reach children and families.
The hearing closed after public comment. Council did not take a final spending vote at the meeting; Director Campbell said proposed funding will appear again as part of upcoming council action tied to the budget process.
The council's next steps include finalizing allocations in advance of HUD deadlines and any formal council action required to adopt the annual plan.
