Program manager alerts Newport to competitive CDBG round opening Sept. 8

Bob Plaine, who identified himself as a program manager working with a church‑affiliated community housing organization, used the council’s public‑comment period to alert the city that the federal Community Development Block Grant competitive round opens Sept. 8 and closes Nov. 10.

"This is the round when non housing uses can apply for CDBG funds," Plaine said, explaining that the program flows from HUD through the state to municipalities and local nonprofits. He reminded the council that CDBG eligibility is income‑based, noting that about 51% of beneficiaries must be households at or below roughly 80% of area median income (the speaker cited Newport’s AMI as $74,950). Plaine said the competitive round will be tougher this year because available dollars are smaller than in prior cycles and offered his help to prospective applicants.

Plaine said city planning staff will post application materials and timelines to the city’s website and social media and encouraged nonprofits to reach out to the city or to him directly for assistance. The council did not take action on the item during the meeting. The notice gives eligible nonprofits and community organizations a roughly two‑month window to prepare and submit proposals for non‑housing projects, such as community facilities and services that meet HUD’s low‑ and moderate‑income benefit tests.