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Council adopts CDBG/HOME budget; nonprofits urge deeper investments for mental-health services
Summary
Council held a public hearing and adopted the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME budgets with a staff recommendation; nonprofit leaders said proposed funding levels leave a wait list for mental-health services and reduce counseling hours.
City staff presented the proposed CDBG and HOME budgets and asked council to adopt the plan and close the public hearing. Staff said the city's CDBG award rose slightly and that 20% of CDBG may be used for administration; administration was estimated at about $313,845 and proposed CDBG housing rehabilitation, reconstruction and emergency repair totals combined were described as about $877,000.
During the public hearing, Vivian Morris, executive director of Lifeline for Families, thanked the city for continued support and described the local impact of CDBG funding. Amber Alexander, CEO of Children 1st Counseling Center, said the community's behavioral and mental-health needs are growing and that proposed reductions amounted to roughly "approximately 150 hours of counseling for our families," with Children 1st currently maintaining "a wait list of more than 50 families actively seeking help for trauma." The council closed the public hearing and, on staff recommendation, approved item 14 as presented.
Staff also described a HOME program set-aside requirement for CHODOs (community housing development organizations) and proposed funding to CHODOs of about $200,000 under the HOME allocation. Council discussion was limited; the public hearing motion to close and adopt the CDBG budget was made and approved during the meeting.
