Committee authorizes submission of Minneapolis' 2026 HUD action plan, HOPWA funding cited as critical

The Minneapolis Housing & Zoning Committee voted May 12 to authorize submission of the city's 2026 HUD consolidated action plan, the annual application that allocates CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA funds and sets program priorities for the coming year.

Matt Bauer, manager of resource coordination in the finance and property services department, said the action plan is the city’s application to HUD for entitlement grants and outlines budgets and programmatic priorities for affordable housing, homelessness services, special needs housing and neighborhood improvements. "It is the city's federal application to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for its entitlement grant awards for 2026," Bauer said.

During the public comment period, Phoebe Trepp, executive director of Clare Housing, described how HOPWA funding supports people living with HIV leaving homelessness and warned of threats in the presidential administration’s budget that would zero out HOPWA. Trepp recounted a client success story showing how housing plus supportive services can stabilize health outcomes.

Committee members asked staff whether HUD programs require collection of immigration‑status information and whether any grant agreements are pending. Staff said grant agreements will follow HUD's review and approval of the action plan, some contract language is in active litigation, and that benefit prorating can apply when household members are not eligible for assistance. Members asked for prior grant agreements and performance reports to be provided before the council vote on Thursday; staff agreed to follow up.

Chair Jamal Osman moved to authorize submission of the action plan and for the mayor or designee to execute related grant agreements; the committee voted in favor and staff will submit the plan to HUD. Bauer said the city will return in August with an annual performance and evaluation report on fund use.