Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing - Consideration of the City of Westminster’s Housing and Community Development Needs in Preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan
End
publichearing
• Staff Report
• Comments or Presentation from Applicant (If Applicable)
• Comments from Appellant (If Applicable)
• Mayor and City Council Questions for Staff
• Public Comments
• Mayor and Council Member Discussion
• Council Action
End
From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Michael Son, Housing Specialist
____________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Receive and file public comments regarding the City’s housing and community development needs in preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan.
end
BACKGROUND
Each year, the City of Westminster prepares an Annual Action Plan (Action Plan) that outlines how federal housing and community development funds will be used to address local needs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides these funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs.
The Annual Action Plan implements the City’s Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan (Consolidated Plan), which the City Council adopted on May 14, 2025. The Consolidated Plan establishes the City’s five-year framework for investing CDBG and HOME funds in programs and projects that address identified community priorities.
Community Engagement
During preparation of the adopted Consolidated Plan, the City conducted extensive community outreach, including:
• October 2024: Community Needs Survey
• October 8, 2024: Stakeholder Workshop
• October 17, 2024: Community Workshop
• February 12, 2025: City Council Study Session
• April 9, 2025: City Council Public Hearing
• April 9 - May 14, 2025: 30-day public review period
• May 14, 2025: City Council Public Hearing - Adoption of the Consolidated Plan
This engagement process helped identify the City’s priority needs and corresponding goals for Fiscal Years 2025-2029.
|
Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan |
|
Priority Needs |
Goals Addressing Priority Needs |
|
Housing Needs |
Preserve existing housing and create new affordable housing |
|
Community Services |
Support agencies that assist special needs populations and provide needed community services to low- and moderate- income persons, including unhoused individuals and families. |
|
Parks and Recreational Facilities |
Enhance and update public infrastructure and community facilities that benefit low- and moderate-income neighborhoods and residents, as well as those with special needs, such as the seniors, disabled, and homeless. |
|
Infrastructure Improvements |
Provide Needed Infrastructure Improvements in Low to Moderate Income Neighborhoods. |
|
Planning for Housing and Community Development Needs |
Implement planning for housing and community development through HOME administration, CDBG administration, and the Fair Housing Program. |
Federal regulations require the City to prepare an Action Plan each year and provide opportunities for public participation. As part of this process, the City conducts two public hearings.
This meeting represents the first of two required public hearings for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Action Plan. The purpose of this hearing is to receive public input regarding housing and community development needs and the planned use of CDBG and HOME funds.
FY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan Schedule
The Action Plan will be developed according to the following schedule:
|
Date |
Task |
|
February 25, 2026 |
First Public Hearing to receive input on housing and community development needs and planned uses of CDBG and HOME funds. |
|
March 25, 2026 |
Initiation of HUD-mandated 30-day public review period for the Draft FY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan. |
|
April 22, 2026 |
Second Public Hearing to close the public review period, adopt the Annual Action Plan, and approve CDBG and HOME funding allocations. |
|
May 15, 2026 |
Submission of the Action Plan to HUD for review and approval. |
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The CDBG program provides annual formula grants to local governments to support a broad range of housing and community development activities. Funds are primarily used for capital projects, public improvements, and eligible public services that benefit low- and moderate-income persons.
For Fiscal Year 2026-2027, the City estimates receiving approximately $970,291 in CDBG entitlement funds and anticipates a carryover balance of approximately $602,260.68, for an estimated total of $1,572,551.68.
The carryover balance reflects project savings from public service subrecipients and completed capital improvement projects.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
The HOME Program is the largest federal block grant dedicated exclusively to affordable housing activities. Eligible uses of HOME funds include:
• New construction of owner-occupied housing
• Rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing
• Homebuyer assistance
• New construction of rental housing
• Rehabilitation of rental housing
• Tenant-based rental assistance
For Fiscal Year 2026-2027, the City estimates receiving approximately $384,859.87 in HOME entitlement funds and anticipates a carryover balance of $660,133.35, for an estimated total of $1,044,993.22.
CDBG and HOME allocations for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 are estimates. HUD is expected to announce final funding amounts in March or April 2026. Proposed funding requests and estimated allocations are included in Attachment 1.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund associated with this public hearing. Funding amounts shown in Attachment 1 are estimates pending HUD’s final allocation announcement.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
This public hearing provides an opportunity for the community to comment on Westminster’s housing and community development needs in preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan. Public input received will be considered in determining how CDBG and HOME funds are allocated to programs and projects that address affordable housing, community services, and neighborhood improvements consistent with the City’s Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan priority needs and associated goals.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Fiscal Year 2026-2027 CDBG and HOME Funding Requests
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager