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NAHAB hears 19 funding requests totaling about $1.28 million for 2026–27 annual action plan
Summary
The Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board heard 14 nonprofits present 19 funding applications requesting just over $1.28 million for CDBG, HOME and local programs; staff said scoring is underway and a draft budget will return April 14 with final plan to City Council July 16.
The Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board heard presentations from 14 organizations on March 17 as part of the city’s 2026–27 annual action plan process, with applicants requesting just over $1.28 million to support housing counseling, emergency shelter improvements, mental‑health services, domestic‑violence shelter upgrades and other community programs.
Housing manager Dylan Mayu told the board the Technical Review Committee has begun scoring applications and staff scores are due midweek; a draft budget will come back to the board on April 14, followed by a 30‑day public comment period in May and a final plan to City Council on July 16. "This is the beginning of the process," Mayu said, stressing the funding will be highly competitive because available funding is far less than requests.
Presenters highlighted a mix of services and capital needs. Ria Straka Gums of Housing & Education Alliance asked for $50,000 to expand HUD‑approved homebuyer education and one‑on‑one housing counseling in Clearwater, saying the program would prioritize households at 80% of area median income or below and "anticipates serving approximately 75 Clearwater households." Katina Gerakio Siren of Homeless Empowerment Program requested $60,000 for courtyard and dining‑hall entrance upgrades (improved drainage, ADA access) and explained a larger clinic consolidation project that totals about $1.45 million; she said Phase 1 of that clinic work is budgeted at $1.3 million and will be 100% HP‑funded while the city request is for a smaller, targeted contribution.
Other notable requests included: Metropolitan Ministries’ Neighbor Hope expansion to provide mobile case management in North Greenwood; Hope Villages of America seeking salary support and window/door replacements at its domestic‑violence shelter (the program serves more than 200 survivors annually and uses a 45‑day standard length of stay); Sun Coast Housing Connections requesting continued support for foreclosure prevention and HUD‑certified counseling; and Directions for Living asking for $161,000 to renovate staff and community collaboration spaces to support mental‑health services.
Board members used the Q&A to press on project timelines, match funding and service counts. For example, Homeless Empowerment Program said Phase 1 construction drawings are in progress with a projected May start and completion by fall; staff noted several projects are already out to bid and that some grant draws are pending federal requirements.
The board approved a short procedural motion to accept the Nov. 18, 2025 minutes by voice vote; the transcript records a verbal "all in favor" and the chair’s announcement that the minutes were approved, but individual roll‑call votes were not recorded.
Next steps: the TRC and staff will finalize scores, the board will review a draft budget April 14, and a public comment period will follow in May ahead of a July City Council hearing on the annual action plan.
