City Council to hold public hearing on federal grant

The+CBDG+funds+fall+into+six+categories.+A+public+hearing+is+set+for+Monday%E2%80%99s+City+Council+meeting+the+annual+CBDG+Action+Plan.

Kierra Frazier

The CBDG funds fall into six categories. A public hearing is set for Monday’s City Council meeting the annual CBDG Action Plan.

By Kierra Frazier

DeKALB – A public hearing is set for Monday’s City Council meeting for residents to comment on the annual Community Development Block Grant Action Plan.

The Community Development Block Grant is a federally funded program aimed to increase housing, community and economic opportunities for low-income and moderate-income residents in the city.

City Council approved the CDBG Five-Year Consolidated Plan Feb. 10, 2020. The 2020 Annual Action Plan was amended twice during the last program year to add additional COVID-related funds that were granted to the City by the CARES Act to prevent, prepare for and address needs that are a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the April 12 City Council agenda. 

For the new federal program year of April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, the City will receive $420,572 in CDBG funds, according to the agenda. Total funds, with those carried over from 2020, will amount to $509,458.

The funds fall into six categories: owner-occupied housing rehab program; public services; public facilities –AGN streets; acquisition; economic development and administration.

There are also two projects from 2020 that are funded and will remain open in 2021 including Optional Relocation Assistance and Public Facilities –Twombly Road Sidewalks.

After the public hearing, City Council members will vote on the item at 6 p.m. Monday at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., or via Zoom.