Oakland County seeks HUD funding and accepts $50,000 perinatal grant; consolidated plan would guide nearly $5.9 million

Oakland County Health & Human Services staff asked the board to approve several HUD applications and accepted a separate $50,000 perinatal grant to support maternal‑child health programs.

Kadija Walker Fox (filling in for a colleague) told the board the county is requesting permission to apply for the HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling grant, which funds housing‑counseling staff but does not specify an award amount at the time of application. Walker Fox said the county’s last award for this program in 2022 was $51,149.

Walker Fox then presented the county’s five‑year consolidated plan (program years 2026–2030) and the year‑one annual action plan, which coordinate CDBG, HOME and ESG spending and reflect resident outreach. "We have over 1,500 resident survey responses that have gone into the feedback," Walker Fox said, describing priorities that include affordable housing, homelessness prevention and services for seniors and people with disabilities. Staff said the consolidated plan would enable deployment of about $5,900,000 in federal resources; staff listed HUD allocations for the coming year as CDBG $3,767,803; HOME $1,877,222.90; and ESG $328,280.

Kyle Hines, a housing staffer, described recent local projects funded with CDBG and HOME dollars, including 187 rental units in Pontiac and rehabilitation of senior housing in Troy. Walker Fox said the consolidated plan and annual action plan were developed with outreach, technical assistance and review by the county’s Citizens Advisory Council and a consultant, Mosaic.

Separately, Walker Fox sought acceptance of a repeat grant from Metro Solutions providing $50,000 to support Oakland County Health Division maternal‑child health activities under a program called Healthy Beginnings. Staff said no new personnel would be hired with the funding; existing general‑fund employees would deliver the work.

The board approved the applications and acceptances and asked that staff continue outreach and provide details when award amounts are determined.

Why it matters: The consolidated plan and HUD grants guide how the county distributes federal housing and community development dollars; the perinatal grant funds maternal‑child support programs. Commissioners pressed staff on outreach to subrecipient communities and administrative capacity; staff described regular technical calls, workshops, and a citizens advisory process.

Next steps: Staff will submit applications as directed, return with award details if/when HUD finalizes allocations, and proceed with Healthy Beginnings activities through September 2026 under the $50,000 award.