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Habitat for Humanity urges Akron council to approve $8.5 million 2026 consolidated plan
Summary
At a July 13 special meeting, the City of Akron opened a public hearing on its 2026 consolidated plan. Habitat for Humanity of Summit County told council the plan’s proposed allocations (CDBG, HOME, ESG) support affordable housing and neighborhood programs and asked members to approve funding to partner organizations.
Rochelle Sibio, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, urged Akron City Council on July 13 to approve the city’s 2026 consolidated plan, a one-year budget of federal community development and housing funds covering Jan. 21–Dec. 31, 2026.
The consolidated plan as described to council totals about $8,500,000, including roughly $5,800,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, $1,500,000 in HOME Investment Partnership funds and about $512,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant funds. The plan also anticipates about $412,000 in program income, according to city staff. Sibio said the funding supports programs to improve housing conditions, develop affordable housing, expand economic development and aid people experiencing homelessness.
"As a trusted and respected partner in the housing space, we encourage that the items in the consolidated plan relative to how HOME funds and CDBG funds are allocated to community partners be approved," Sibio said.
Sibio outlined Habitat for Humanity’s local work: 44 years of building and repairing homes in Summit County, 249 homes completed to date and more than 800 home repairs. She said HOME funds are supporting the creation of 16 new affordable single-family homes in the North Hill neighborhood, a project that includes infrastructure work and represents about a $3,200,000 investment; she also noted the council recently approved a new City of Akron park and earmarked $50,000 from this fiscal year’s budget toward that park. A community celebration for the development is planned for Sept. 25, she said.
Council opened the public hearing and swore in online commenters; with no additional speakers at the meeting, council closed the hearing and Councilman Kammer said staff — including the planning director — would answer remaining questions in the coming days. No formal vote on the consolidated plan was taken at the special meeting.
The council indicated it would take additional time to resolve outstanding questions before returning the item for formal action.
