Medford — The Medford City Council on June 4 adopted the 2025–29 consolidated plan required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the city’s 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) action plan after staff presentations and hearings.

Why it matters: The consolidated plan sets the city’s housing and community‑development priorities for five years and is required to receive federal CDBG funds. The annual action plan assigns the coming year’s CDBG allocation and subrecipient recommendations.

Key decisions and funding
Planning Director Michelle King summarized the federal requirement and priorities, saying the consolidated plan "is a HUD requirement." The council approved the consolidated plan and, separately, the 2025–26 action plan that documents the year’s expected CDBG resources: a formula allocation of $615,000 and $75,000 in program income returned from prior projects. The city’s standard distribution percentages were reflected in staff scoring and recommendations: up to 20% for program administration and planning, up to 15% for public services and the remainder available for capital and housing-related projects.

Programs and priorities
The consolidated plan cites housing affordability, homelessness, supportive services for vulnerable populations (seniors, people with disabilities and people exiting homelessness), and infrastructure in low‑income neighborhoods as priority areas. Staff noted local survey responses and public outreach informed the priorities. The council also heard that a future amendment will incorporate HOME program funds if the city becomes an allocation jurisdiction; staff said that amendment would come later in the summer or early fall.

Process and vote
Staff presented the plan, invited questions and held a public comment period with no in‑person speakers. Councilor Kevin Keating moved to approve the consolidated plan; Mike Kerlinger seconded. The motions to approve both the consolidated plan and the annual action plan passed unanimously on roll-call votes.