Residents urge restored local CHDO as commissioners and director discuss unused NSP funds

Jennifer Wilson, a Vallejo resident and former volunteer with local housing programs, told the commission the city needs an active local Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and accused the current CHDO contractor (CHDC) of poor performance and leaving Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds unused for years.

Wilson recounted attempts to refer clients to CHDC and said the organization has been nonresponsive and failed to meet performance expectations, leaving federal NSP dollars unspent in the city’s coffers. “We don’t have a CHDO that’s been functional… the money is still there,” she said, urging commissioners to identify local partners and oversight structures.

Director Alicia Jones responded during the hearing to clarify that the CHDO designation is tied to the HOME program and that the city is in the process of issuing a new RFP for the down‑payment assistance program. Jones said the city is reviewing contracting and performance‑metric approaches and emphasized the need for clear scorecards and monitoring in any contract.

Why it matters: CHDO selection and contract oversight affect the city’s ability to develop deeply affordable housing and to deploy federal funds; Wilson tied the lack of active local capacity to missed housing development and community programs.

What the commission will do: Director Jones said she will work with the city manager and city attorney and meet with council leadership ahead of the March meeting; commissioners discussed strengthening contract performance metrics and returning with more information.