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Mayor Paine urges council to back federal housing and water funding that could expand local affordable housing
Summary
Mayor Paine told the Superior Common Council the federal homes bill—if reconciled—would allow Community Development Block Grant money to be used for residential construction in eligible census tracts, offering a new tool for affordable and transitional housing; he also reported progress on a clean water revolving loan fund renewal to aid lead line replacement.
Mayor Paine urged the Superior Common Council on March 24 to support aspects of pending federal legislation that he said could expand local options for affordable housing and water infrastructure.
Speaking after the meeting was called to order, Paine described his trip to the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C., and said the pending federal homes bill has provisions that could allow Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to be used for residential construction in qualifying census tracts. "It would allow the use of CDBG money to be dedicated towards residential construction projects within census block tract within CDBG neighborhoods," Paine said, calling it "a major, major opportunity" for the city.
The mayor framed that change as particularly relevant for Superior because large sections of the city—he cited areas north of Belknap and the Nemadji River to East 18th Street—fall within CDBG-covered tracts. He said the change could let nonprofits and other partners invest CDBG funds in transitional housing and programs for people experiencing homelessness.
Paine also reported that a renewal of the clean water revolving loan fund appeared to be moving through Congress, which he said would support the city's lead line replacement program. He cautioned that passage was not guaranteed and described the homes bill as still undergoing reconciliation between the House and Senate.
Why it matters: If reconciled with the changes Paine described, the federal bill would give Superior a new funding tool that could be deployed for construction of affordable housing in federally designated areas and sustain the city's lead service line replacement efforts. Paine urged councilors to contact federal lawmakers in support.
Councilor Herrick pressed for clarification about whether the change would increase CDBG funding levels; Paine responded that the bill is policy-focused and not a direct funding increase, adding that it could, however, change allowable uses of existing grant allocations. "The funding itself is not tied to the bill," Paine said.
The mayor encouraged any councilors who wanted more background to speak with him after the meeting. There was no vote or formal council action tied to the report; the mayor's remarks were informational and a request for advocacy.
Sources: Mayor Paine; Superior Common Council meeting, March 24, 2026.
