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Brookhaven holds public hearing on draft 2026–2030 CDBG plan, staff highlights housing, childcare and sidewalks
Summary
City staff presented the draft 2026–2030 consolidated CDBG plan and said the city’s current allocation is $370,875; priorities identified by outreach include preserving affordable housing, funding childcare services and improving sidewalks in low‑ and moderate‑income neighborhoods.
City of Brookhaven staff opened a public hearing April 14 on the draft 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, outlining outreach results and funding priorities for the next five years.
Community Development staff told the council that "Our current allocation is $370,875," and explained that CDBG funds are federally constrained and must "primarily benefit low and moderate income persons," a HUD requirement that limits use for new housing construction. Staff described five components of the consolidated plan — including a data‑driven community needs assessment and a five‑year strategic plan informed by resident input.
Patty, a Community Development data presenter, summarized the outreach and data that informed the draft: the city received 57 community survey responses and widespread feedback that prioritized affordable housing preservation, public services such as childcare and mental‑health programs, and infrastructure needs led by sidewalks and water/sewer repairs. Patty noted notable cost‑burden figures: "20% of homeowners are housing cost burden" and "70% of [renters] are housing cost burdened," which staff said guided the target‑area focus for CDBG investments.
Staff outlined proposed spending in the first year: allocations include funding for public facilities and infrastructure, a small home‑repair pilot (noting "the home repair program, we put 10,000 in only because we have funds that we have reserved from previous years"), and program administration at the maximum 20% while the plan is developed. Staff stressed the plan remains flexible and the annual action plan will translate five‑year priorities into year‑by‑year implementation.
The city said the formal public comment window for the draft closes at the end of the month and the plan is available on the city website for review. No members of the public registered to speak during the hearing.
Councilmembers thanked staff for the work and asked for future metrics to measure whether the investments are producing intended outcomes; staff replied reporting will begin in the second five‑year cycle but cautioned it takes time to show measurable change.
