Roanoke City presents $2.5 million 2026–27 HUD Annual Action Plan; public comment period open through July 17

Roanoke City staff on June 11 presented the proposed 2026–27 Annual Action Plan that packages roughly $2.5 million in federal entitlement funding across three programs: about $1.8 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $575,000 in current-year HOME dollars (supplemented by $400,000 in prior‑year HOME funds for a $975,000 total of HOME project activity) and $158,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds.

Deser, the city's housing programs and policy officer, outlined priorities for the plan including effective administration and planning, expanded social services, neighborhood quality and accessible infrastructure, and an increased supply of affordable housing. He said the CDBG project portfolio proposed in the plan would fund renovation and rehab work, public services and public facilities improvements while reserving $364,000 for CDBG administration.

Key proposed CDBG project allocations cited by Deser include $200,000 to Renovation Alliance; a City-led Save-A program at $50,000; $174,000 to the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority; and $253,000 to Homes for America. Deser said project awards total about $1.4 million of the $1.8 million CDBG allocation after administration dollars are set aside and that applicants requested roughly $3.6 million in total.

Under HOME, the presentation listed a $86,000 CHDO set-aside; Habitat for Humanity at $220,000; Restoration Housing at $211,000; Homes for America at $400,000; and $57,000 for HOME administration. Deser explained the $975,000 in HOME project activity reflects $575,000 in this year's HOME award plus $400,000 carried forward from earlier HOME funding.

For ESG, Deser described funding intended to help people obtain and retain stable housing and listed proposed awards to the Council of Community Services ($53,000 for program activity plus $25,000 for rapid rehousing and $25,000 for the Homeless Management Information System), Family Promise of Roanoke Valley ($43,000) and $11,000 for ESG administration, for a $158,000 total.

When questioned, Deser said the Council of Community Services applied under multiple program categories and was awarded for distinct program streams rather than as a single consolidated award. He also told prospective grantees that city staff will walk applicants through contract requirements, monitoring and reporting procedures after HUD approval.

On schedule, Deser outlined the citizen participation timeline: the plan was placed on public display, the 30‑day public comment period began June 11 and closes July 17, and staff plan to submit the plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Aug. 14. During the presentation Deser referenced two possible council consideration dates (he initially mentioned July 29 and later said July 20); staff said they will brief council prior to formal consideration. Deser said HUD typically takes about 30 days to review a submission and that, if approved, the city would notify grantees and work to finalize contracts for the program year.

Bradley Free Clinic director Janine asked about differences in requirements for capital improvement grants versus program grants and whether staff would provide hands-on assistance for contract compliance and reporting. Deser responded that staff will meet with awardees to explain reporting, drawdown and monitoring requirements and to align reporting forms with awarded activities.

The public hearing closed after staff invited attendees to submit follow-up questions by email. No formal motions or votes were recorded during the session; the documented next procedural steps are the close of the public comment period on July 17, council consideration in late July (date to be confirmed by staff), submission to HUD on Aug. 14 and HUD review in roughly 30 days.