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Council approves one-year CDBG action plan, staff says funds focus on housing repair and prevention
Summary
Council approved the city's one-year CDBG action plan (second year of a five-year consolidated plan) allocating funds to public services, housing programs including primary-systems home repair and housing rehab, public facility work, administration and contingency; staff said some funds partner with Leah's Hope and can be used for homelessness-prevention activities.
The City Council approved the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) one-year action plan, the second year of a five-year consolidated plan that breaks CDBG spending into public services, housing, public facility improvements, administrative costs and contingency.
City staff (Miss Craft) told the council the plan funds a primary-systems home-repair grant program, a housing-rehab specialist, home-ownership inspections and other housing services. She said the city funds transitional housing through a partnership with Leah's Hope; the city currently operates three duplex properties used as transitional housing and Leah's Hope helps recommend tenants. Staff emphasized the CDBG program can fund a range of activities, including homelessness prevention, but said the city does not currently operate an active street-to-housing outreach program.
Councilors asked for clarity on what the city considers "affordable housing." Miss Craft cited HUD guidance, explaining the working measure is that housing costs should be no more than 30% of household monthly income. A councilor also asked whether transitional housing beds are for families fleeing domestic violence; staff said that is one eligible beneficiary group among others (families with children and single adults have used the program).
After questions and public acknowledgment of the staff work, a council member moved to approve the one-year action plan and the council voted to adopt C11.
What comes next: staff will implement allocations in the one-year plan and proceed with procurement and grant procedures outlined in the consolidated plan.
