Tuscaloosa City committee approves 2026 action‑plan advertisement, authorizes $220,000 homelessness grant application

The Tuscaloosa City Community Development Committee approved multiple funding and compliance items at a routine meeting, including authorization to advertise the city’s 2026 citizen participation one‑year action plan and an application for homelessness funding.

A staff member from the Office of Community and Neighborhood Services presented the proposed projects and allocations for the 2026 action plan, saying, “CDBG received the allocation of $930,381 and HOME received allocation of $473,759.13.” The staff member also reported program income from 2024–25 of $768,896.32 and said HUD allows programming that income into the plan, yielding a HOME total of $1,242,655.45 to include in the 2026 action plan. The committee approved advertising the summary by voice vote.

The committee also authorized staff to submit an Emergency Solutions Grant application to the State of Alabama for $220,000. The presentation said the application will include temporary emergency services provided by the Salvation Army and Turning Point, along with administration and HMIS support for the department; the motion to apply passed by voice vote.

On a separate item, staff explained that funds from a 2018 action plan award were set to expire in September and proposed a local amendment to move $24,929 from the Housing Authority allocation to Habitat for Humanity so the funds could be used in time. A committee member moved the amendment and the committee approved it by voice vote.

Later in the meeting, Wayne of the Office of Community and Neighborhood Services requested authorization to adopt an accounting and financial policies and procedures manual for the administration of CPD programs, noting that the manual follows 2 CFR 200 federal requirements. The committee adopted the manual by voice vote.

There were no further questions from members; a motion to adjourn was made and seconded, and the committee closed the meeting following a voice vote.

Votes at a glance: Approve minutes — approved (voice vote); Authorize advertisement of 2026 action plan (CDBG/HOME/HUD) — approved (voice vote); Authorize ESG application for $220,000 — approved (voice vote); Amend 2018 action plan, move $24,929 to Habitat for Humanity — approved (voice vote); Adopt accounting and financial policies manual (2 CFR 200 compliance) — approved (voice vote); Adjourn — approved (voice vote).