Newburgh City Council was to vote on Tuesday, May 28 to open the first 30-day public comment period and schedule a public hearing for June 10 on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) New Consolidated Plan. The plan is to be implemented in Fiscal Year 2025 to 2029. A Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Action Plan (AAP) will also have the opportunity to be commented on by the public.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds are allocated to local and state governments on a formula basis and with the City of Newburgh, it is required to prepare and submit a Consolidated Plan that establishes goals for the use of the program’s funds.

National priorities set by CDBG must be accounted for with project developments. These priorities include activities that benefit low and moderate-income people, the prevention or elimination of slums or blight or community development activities to address an urgent threat to health or safety.

City Director of Planning and Development Alexandra Church reported to the council that 20 community outreach meetings have been conducted in the local community, collecting input from residents. A required second public comment period and public hearing will be announced and scheduled at a later date. The Consolidated Plan priority needs for 2025-29 include areas such as infrastructure improvements, economic development, quality of life and housing.