Township director outlines HUD consolidated plan, outreach and deadline ahead of council vote

Rita LaRue, Upper Darby’s director of Community and Economic Development, presented a briefing to the Planning Commission on the township’s HUD consolidated plan and related annual action plan, which together set priorities for Community Development Block Grant, HOME and Emergency Solutions Grant programs.

LaRue said Upper Darby is an entitlement community that receives about $2,500,000 each year from HUD programs and that the consolidated plan (a five‑year plan) and the annual action plan will go to council for approval; the consolidated plan must be submitted to HUD by Aug. 14, 2026. She described the plan’s needs‑assessment process, which included consultation of roughly 67 stakeholder organizations across seven virtual meetings, two public hearings, written comments and an online survey that had just closed.

LaRue said the consolidated plan goals include improving access to affordable housing, improving public facilities and infrastructure, providing homeless services, supporting economic development, and funding planning and administration activities. She also noted that the HUD-funded team is funded by HUD, not the township general fund. The commission asked follow‑up questions about the program administration fee and outreach; staff said the $230,000 program administration line primarily covers two HUD‑funded staff salaries, consultants and necessary administrative expenses.