Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB)
The Community Development Advisory Board held its most difficult meeting of the year, wrestling with recommendations for the 2025 Annual Action Plan that distributes approximately $28.4 million in federal, state, and local funding for housing and human services. The evening was dominated by painful choices as the board confronted a stark reality: 36 applications requesting $4.5 million in services funding when only $2.5 million is available. The meeting began with a comprehensive presentation on the Annual Action Plan's structure, funding sources, and the context within Bellingham's five-year Consolidated Plan. Staff explained that the city receives about $12 million annually in new funding from sources including the housing levy, affordable housing sales tax, general fund allocations, and two HUD funding streams (Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Program). However, the total action plan budget of $28.4 million includes carryover commitments from previous years and uncommitted prior year funds. The board spent the majority of the meeting conducting a detailed review of 36 applications for housing and human services funding, using a ranking system from 1 (full funding) to 4 (no funding). The process revealed deep philosophical tensions about the city's role in behavioral health services, whether to fund new programs during budget constraints, and how to balance established agencies against emerging needs. Staff provided sobering context throughout the discussion, noting that general fund cuts across all city departments mean even less flexibility for non-housing services. The specter of potential federal cuts to basic needs programs hung over the discussion, with staff suggesting the mayor might redirect all discretionary funding toward food assistance if federal school food programs face cuts. The evening concluded with preliminary consensus on most applications, though final recommendations await April's meeting. The board's stru
**Public Hearing Opened and Closed:** The board opened the required public hearing for the 2025 Annual Action Plan. No public testimony was received during the formal hearing period, though public input was welcomed during the work session. **Application Rankings Established:** The board provided preliminary rankings for 36 housing and human services applications totaling approximately $4.5 million in requests against $2.5 million available. Key preliminary decisions included: - **Tier 1 (Full Funding):** YWCA programs, Max Higby Center, Meals on Wheels, Hot Team homeless outreach, Family House, Bellingham School District Family Resource Center, and others - **Tier 2 (Match Previous Funding):** Bridget Collins Family Services, Catholic Community Services Francis…
**April CDAB Meeting:** Board will receive staff recommendations and vote on final action plan recommendations to forward to mayor and city council. **Public Comment Period:** Continues through the end of March for the draft action plan, available on the city website. **Mayor and Council Review:** Final action plan will go to mayo…