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Committee moves forward on $2M HUD housing grant and $250,000 EPA clean-investment grant
Summary
The committee advanced ordinances to apply for and accept a HUD 'Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing' grant of up to $2,000,000 and a $250,000 EPA National Clean Investment Fund grant routed through the Coalition for Green Capital; both items were placed on for passage and staff said matching funds and project details will be defined later.
The Budget Advance Committee placed on for passage two grant ordinances that would let the city pursue federal funds for housing and energy projects.
Staff described item 3 as an application and acceptance ordinance to pursue up to $2,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a "Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing" (pro-housing) program to expand affordable housing and subsidize development of vacant lots, including prototypes for middle-housing types. Dr. (transcript: "Doctor Dutis") said the ordinance sets up a CDBG project account for funding; staff stated a local match will be required but that the source of the match is to be determined. Council members including Councilman Jeffries and Council member Albee expressed strong support for pursuing the funding to convert vacant lots into housing.
Item 4 would accept a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the National Clean Investment Fund, administered via the Coalition for Green Capital (doing business as American Green Bank Consortium). Staff said those funds would support market-building activities for energy projects (for example, studies of geothermal opportunities and prioritizing areas for investment) and would support both the city's Green Cincinnati plan and efforts to capture energy-cost savings for residents. Council members framed the grant as an opportunity for green-job creation and recommended leveraging additional state funding where available.
Both grant ordinances were advanced to be put on for passage; council members asked staff to return with details on the required local match and implementation plans.
