The city of Radford will hold public meetings on Tuesday, March 17, at 4 p.m. and Wednesday, March 18, at noon to gather community members’ input about the city’s plan for using funds from Community Development Block Grant Program.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) runs the CDBG Program, which provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities and counties for community development activities. According to HUD’s website, “not less than 70 percent of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons.”
For the 2025 Program Year, Radford received $166,346. “HUD has not provided allocations for Program Year 2026 as of yet. I am estimating for it to be the same and will build the Action Plan as so, with the stipulation that if we receive more or less, then all projected activities will be adjusted by that percentage,” wrote city of Radford Director of Community Development/Transit Coordinator Melissa Skelton in an email on Friday.
In the email Skelton explained, “As part of the development of each Program Year Action Plan, HUD requires entitlement communities to get public input regarding the utilization of federal funds.” The two public meetings this week are part of the Radford Community Participation Plan. A public hearing will be held in late April or early May “once the draft Action Plan is presented prior to submittal to HUD,” Skelton wrote.
No community members attended the public meetings held last year on March 12 and 13, according to a report in the 2025 Annual Action Plan.
This week’s public meetings will include information about the amount of funds expected and the range of eligible services, programs and activities. “Project ideas will be collected and reviewed by city staff. All projects will need to be evaluated to first ensure they meet HUD’s criteria, and cost to implement will need to stay within yearly allocation of funds,” Skelton wrote.
Applications for the 2026 Program Year are currently open to public agencies and nonprofit organizations that deliver services and activities to Radford residents. Examples of eligible activities include job training, anti-violence programs, immigration services and fair housing counseling.
In 2025, CDBG funds were allocated to the Women’s Resource Center, New River Community Action, August Kids, Bobcat Backpack Program and Radford Fairlawn Daily Bread. Funds were also used for Emergency Home Repair, sidewalk upgrades and water/sewage projects such as upgrading the watermain in the 1800 block of Grove Avenue.
The 2026 Program Year application specifies that proposed activities should address at least one of four objectives and one of three outcomes. The objectives are (1) suitable living environment, (2) decent affordable housing, (3) services to special needs populations and (4) economic activities. The three outcomes are (1) availability/accessibility, (2) affordability and (3) sustainability.
The application deadline is 4 p.m. on March 31. Applications will be reviewed by the city’s Community Development Department. The department will make recommendations to city council. City council will hold a public hearing before deciding which services, programs and activities to fund. The action plan needs to be submitted to HUD 45 days prior to July 1, according to Skelton.
Both public meetings this week will be held in the city council chambers of the Radford City Office at 10 Robertson St. Contact the Community Development Department at (540) 267-3188 or Melissa.Skelton@radfordva.gov with questions about CDBG, the meetings or the application.
