The Zoning & Planning Committee voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to submit Newton’s FY2026–2030 HUD consolidated plan, the revised citizen participation plan and the FY26 annual action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, clearing the way for the city to receive CDBG, HOME and ESG funds when federal allocations are finalized.

Laura Kreitzer, director of Housing and Community Development, told the committee the documents were the product of a year of data collection, public meetings and interviews and set five city goals: production and preservation of affordable housing; strengthening fair-housing practices; supporting human-service programs; funding supportive services for people who are homeless or at risk; and improving architectural access for people with disabilities.

Why it matters: the consolidated plan guides how Newton uses HUD block grants over five years and the annual action plan commits the city’s projected FY26 federal funding. The plans determine which projects get federal dollars for housing preservation, homelessness prevention and accessibility improvements.

The plan outlines program-by-program uses and estimated allocations for FY26: the city is using a planning assumption of about $1.8 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $1.5 million in HOME program funds allocated to the West Metro HOME consortium, and about $163,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding. Kreitzer cautioned those totals are preliminary and may change when HUD releases final allocations.

Kreitzer summarized the five strategic goals and accompanying strategies: build and preserve units for households at 30–60% of area median income; update Newton’s analysis of impediments to fair housing and expand outreach and training; continue competitive human-service funding through an RFP process; use ESG funding for emergency shelter, prevention and rapid re-housing through regional partners; and fund small accessibility projects with CDBG dollars in partnership with the Commission on Disabilities.

Kreitzer also presented specific FY26 proposals that would be funded if the projected allocation holds. The plan recommends continuing the city’s down-payment assistance and housing rehabilitation programs and funding tenant-based rental assistance through the HOME consortium. Proposed human-service awards included the Cousins Fund (emergency assistance), Boys & Girls Club and YMCA childcare support, Second Step domestic-violence programming, Newton Housing Authority supportive services, Riverside Community Care mental-health programs, Newton Food Pantry and other locally focused nonprofits. For ESG the plan proposes support for emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing through regional providers.

Kreitzer told the committee the Balance of State Continuum of Care reported approximately 11,033 people experiencing homelessness in 2024 and about 519 unsheltered; the numbers are continuumwide and not limited to Newton. She said that increase underscores demand for shelter and rapid-rehousing assistance and drives the city’s ESG priorities.

Committee members asked about contingency plans if federal funding declines. City staff said HUD rules set minimum percentages for program types and administrative caps; a funding cut would require program-level adjustments, and any change of 25% or more would trigger a substantial-amendment process and additional public notice. A city official added that the continuing resolution that funds the program year through Sept. 30 makes the FY26 proposals likely to be funded but cautioned final HUD numbers often arrive late.

Kreitzer and staff described outreach during the planning year — public meetings, an online survey, stakeholder interviews and tabling at community events — and said the city has a new outreach coordinator and plans to expand online and social-media outreach instead of costly paper advertisements.

The committee voted to authorize the mayor to submit the consolidated plan and related documents to HUD. The committee chair moved approval and the measure passed 8–0.

Ending note: submission to HUD is a precondition for awarding and spending federal funds on July 1; staff said they will return to the council if a substantial amendment is required by material changes to HUD’s final allocation.