The projects that will receive Community Development Block Grant funding in 2025 and a five-year CDBG plan will be considered during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Bristol City Council.
The annual federal funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and mainly benefits those with low to moderate incomes. The money can be spent to “develop or sustain viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities,” according to documents included with the meeting agenda.
This year, the city’s CDBG allocation is $273,121. The total will also include $65,000 in carryover money from the previous funding cycle.
CDBG funding is being requested for public service projects, economic development, code enforcement, emergency housing rehabilitation and sidewalk projects.
The three categories for the CDBG funding are administration of the funding, which can total 20% of the allocation; public service projects, which can total 15%; and the remainder is for community projects, which can be for housing, economic development and improvements to public facilities.
Community projects that have been recommended for this year’s CDBG funding are:
- Sidewalk improvements: $77,000
- Emergency housing rehab: $77,547
- Removal of unsafe structures: $10,000
- Economic development: $15,450
- Code enforcement: $37,000
- Boys and Girls Club: $8,500
- Bristol Transit: $20,000
- Administration: $54,624
- Public services: $38,000
The public service project requests from local agencies were: Bristol Speech and Hearing, $5,940 for a testing device, recommendation for no funding; Crossroads Medical Mission, $10,000 for health care for low-income residents, recommendation of $8,000; Bristol Speech and Hearing, $2,000 for assessment tools and stipends, recommendation of no funding; Highlands Community Services/Children’s Advocacy Center, $12,000 for forensic interviews for child abuse victims, recommendation for $4,500; Bristol Public Library, $32,500 for Jones Creativity Center, recommendation for $8,500; People Inc., $10,000 for permanent supportive housing, recommendation of $8,000; Appalachian Independence Center, $5,000 for independent living services, recommendation of no funding; Abuse Alternatives, requested $5,036 for new computers for administrators, recommendation of no funding; Family Promise, requested $9,500 for Americorp staff, recommendation of $7,000; Holston Habitat for Humanity, $35,000 for home repair supplies, recommendation of no funding; and Girls Inc., $5,000 for mulch for playground, recommendation of $2,000.
The city council has held two public hearings on the CDBG funding, and there was a 30-day comment period.
The council will also take a look at a five-year plan for 2025-2029 for CDBG funding that will guide each year’s funding decisions.
The plan identified a number of needs; including supporting programs to help homeowners with emergency repairs; supporting community revitalization that eliminates deterioration, danger and blight; and supporting projects that promote economic development.
Bristol will also receive $68,735 from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which provides grants to states and localities to fund building, buying or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or home ownership or providing rental assistance to low-income residents.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers at city hall, 300 Lee St.
