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County to submit 2026 HUD action plan, authorizes HOME and CDBG funding requests
Summary
Essex County officials authorized submission of the 2026 HUD program-year action plan that includes $5.18 million in CDBG funding, $1.25 million in HOME investment partnership loans, and $458,474 in Emergency Solutions Grant funds; officials clarified HOME funds are structured as long-term loans and noted a public hearing on May 21, 2026.
John Suarez, director of the Division of Housing and Community Development, asked the board to authorize submission of the county's 2026 HUD program-year action plan covering June 1, 2026–May 31, 2027.
Suarez said the plan includes three grant streams: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $5,175,593; HOME Investment Partnerships funding of $1,254,360.74; and an Emergency Solutions Grant of $458,474. He said a public hearing on the draft action plan will be held May 21, 2026 and that a matrix of proposed activities was provided with the submission packet.
Commissioner McInerney asked whether the HOME amount is a grant or a loan; Suarez replied that the HOME program uses long-term loans (terms he said have ranged 23–30 years), with nonprofit borrowers often receiving lower interest rates and program income recycled into future loans. "The loans that are outstanding have been, were for periods of 23 to 30 years," Suarez said.
Suarez described submission as the first step in obtaining federal funds and noted the county will return to the board if public comments require changes. The board voted to authorize submission of the action plan on roll call.
Next steps: a public hearing on May 21, 2026 and subsequent board consideration of any public comments received before the county finalizes the HUD submission.
