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Council approves HUD annual action plan but splits on CDBG public‑service allocations after heated debate
Summary
Wichita City Council approved submission of the 2026–27 HUD Annual Action Plan but separated and then debated the $475,000 competitive CDBG public‑service grants. After multiple substitute motions and public testimony the council approved a set of allocations that funded a slate of providers at $50,000 each and boosted Wichita Family Crisis Center funding following intensive public comment and council amendments.
The Wichita City Council on May 5 approved the 2026–27 HUD Annual Action Plan — the city’s application to HUD for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME and ESG funding — but approval followed a fractious discussion over competitive CDBG public‑service awards.
Housing staff reported the city’s HUD allocations: CDBG ~$2.98M, HOME ~$1.41M and ESG ~$261K for the coming program year. Staff proposed a set of allocations for public facilities, housing activities, public services and program administration, and put $475,000 out via a competitive application for public‑service grants. A grants review committee evaluated 10 applications and recommended awards; the committee set a de‑facto $50,000 minimum award size to avoid administratively burdensome micro‑grants.
Multiple agencies and community advocates — including the Wichita Family Crisis Center, YMCA after‑school programs, United Methodist Open Door (day services), Big Brothers Big Sisters and newcomer Masters & Mentors — presented in public comment. Speakers and several council members pressed two themes: (1) long‑standing providers who serve large numbers and vulnerable populations (for example, the crisis center and YMCA) and (2) smaller, high‑impact programs focused on high‑risk youth or specialized populations.
Council members repeatedly debated whether the committee’s recommended distribution struck the right balance between sustaining long‑standing providers and incubating new or targeted programs. Several substitute motions and roll‑call votes followed; the council first approved the larger plan subject to separating the $475,000 public‑service awards for separate action, then after additional floor amendments ultimately approved a distribution that placed most finalists at a $50,000 award and increased Wichita Family Crisis Center funding.
Key outcomes for the competitive public‑service pool (final allocations approved after deliberations): Catholic Charities Harbor House — $50,000; StepStone — $50,000; Wichita Family Crisis Center — $75,000; Wichita Children's Home — $50,000; Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters — $50,000; Prime Fit Youth Foundation — $50,000; Plainview Culvin Kids Club — $50,000; United Methodist Open Door — $50,000; Masters & Mentors — $50,000. Several council members urged a follow‑up workshop about the grant process and eligibility thresholds to improve transparency and outcomes measurement.
Staff will submit the annual action plan to HUD as required and execute funding agreements consistent with council direction. The council asked housing staff to return with outcome metrics and to consider stronger links between city‑funded services and the planned 'Second Light' homeless services campus.
