SHRA outlines $9.32 million estimate for 2027 federal entitlement programs; board discusses project readiness and Isleton allocations

Stephanie Green, federal programs manager at the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, presented the first public workshop on the county's 2027 Annual Action Plan for HUD entitlement grants. SHRA's planning estimate totaled roughly $9.32 million: about $6.0 million for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), $2.8 million for HOME and $520,000 for Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG).

Green described how SHRA allocates CDBG among categories that align with the consolidated plan objectives: typically 15% for public services (about $900,000), up to 20% for planning and administration (about $1.2 million), roughly $400,000 set aside for agreement cities (Folsom, Isleton, Galt), and the remainder for infrastructure, housing preservation and capital reserve. She said HUD requires projects to be "project-ready" so funds can be spent down within 12'18 months.

"We estimate about $6 million for CDBG," Green said, and walked the board through examples of eligible activities: parks, ADA improvements, shelter operations, fair housing legal services and home-repair programs. She also noted major ineligible costs such as routine operation and maintenance or renovating government buildings.

Supervisors focused on a few recurring issues: Isleton had previously been allocated roughly $330,000 for projects that were later canceled, and board members asked whether those earmarked funds could be re-used and how to ensure smaller jurisdictions have bankable projects. Green said the funds could be reallocated if projects do not proceed and that Isleton has identified new needs; she cautioned that HUD reporting treats city and county expenditures separately.

Board members also sought clarity on the "grant planning and admin" bucket and whether those dollars can be used to pursue third-party grants or to develop master plans that later become infrastructure projects. Green said the administration cap is intended primarily for staffing and fair-housing activities but can fund planning that directly leads to construction if the project reaches fruition and HUD reporting requirements are met.

Supervisor Serna and others discussed whether SHRA's role as administrator of entitlements remains the most efficient structure; staff said SHRA has administered these entitlements for decades and that the county and city report accomplishments separately to HUD, which can make joint projects administratively heavier but possible.

The workshop closed with a reminder of the schedule: county staff will take project ideas through May, SHRA will return to the board with a draft list in June, and the final action plan must be completed by August and submitted to HUD after the board's October approval.

What happens next: SHRA requested final project ideas by the end of July for inclusion in the draft Action Plan and said staff will continue coordination with county departments and agreement cities. The board did not take formal action at the workshop; staff signaled follow-up discussions and potential reassignment of previously earmarked Isleton funds pending project readiness.

Sources: presentation and Q&A by Stephanie Green (SHRA).