City Council to Discuss Amendments to Housing Plans, Reallocation of Federal Funds

The Pasadena City Council is set to hold a public hearing on Monday during its regular meeting to discuss substantial amendments to the city’s housing and community development plans, including the reallocation of federal funds to address housing and homelessness issues.

The Department of Housing has recommended that the City Council approve the submission of amendments to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for the 5-Year (2020-2024) Consolidated Plan, the 2019 Annual Action Plan, and the 2023 Annual Action Plan.

The proposed amendments include reallocating $160,386 in Community Development Block Grant funding and $31,729 in Emergency Solutions Grant funding. These funds are part of the federal entitlement funds aimed at supporting public service activities and homeless activities.

The hearing will take place at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 100 N Garfield Ave, Pasadena, in the Council Chambers Room S249.

A City staff report said the amendments come in response to the changing needs and accomplishments in the city’s housing and community development projects over the past four years.

The reallocation of funds is intended to address food insecurity related to COVID-19 and support the administration of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development-required Homeless Management Information System database, the report said.

The City Council will also consider findings that the recommended actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), known as the “common sense” exemption.

The Department of Housing has outlined the proposed reallocations, which include increases in funding for various Pasadena Food Pantry programs and the Homeless Management Information System database. These programs are implemented by different agencies within the city, including the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Pasadena, and the Foothill Unity Center, Inc.

The proposed actions, the report said, support the City Council’s Strategic Planning Three-Year Goals, which focus on improving public facilities and infrastructure, enhancing mobility and accessibility, and promoting the quality of life and the local economy.