Las Vegas Community Development Recommending Board Meeting - February 9, 2026

Board members heard presentations from applicants for HOPWA ($3.3 million) and CDBG ($500,000) grants for fiscal years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028. The meeting included the election of a chair and co-chair, approval of previous minutes, and a report on the grant application process. No funding decisions were made; the presentations were for information and board deliberation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the final minutes of the regular meeting of March 11, 2025, by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

• Report on HUD Grants: Colleen Duiger, grant program coordinator, explained that the RFP process began October 13, 2025, with two technical workshops, and the board received eligible applications on December 8, 2025. Each applicant had 10 minutes (5 for presentation, 5 for questions).
• Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Board member David Marlin disclosed his role as board chair of Vegas Stronger (not presenting today) and past work at Community Counseling Center (17 years ago), and noted that the clinical director of Vegas Stronger is married to the president of the Just One Project. The city attorney deemed disclosure sufficient.
• HOPWA Presentations:
  • Golden Rainbow: Reported past challenges with staff turnover and unspent funds ($64,000 left in 2024-2025), but now on track with 51 units of housing assistance and 51 units of supportive services. They have spent 70% of their $300,000 funding by January 2026, with $65,000 remaining. They are expanding their project-based rental assistance (PBRA) program and finalizing a transaction with the LGBTQ+ Center of Las Vegas to ensure compliance with federal inducement laws. They are also seeking additional state HOPWA funding for rural areas.
  • Women's Development Center: Has run the HOPWA program since 1997, currently serving 40 clients, with 13 graduating to stable housing in the past year. Average client stay is 2–2.5 years. Over 60% of clients are seniors. They reduced their request to 32 units due to federal funding uncertainties but expect to serve 40. They focus on credit repair, sealing records, and transitioning clients to their affordable rental program. High recidivism is noted for chronically homeless clients.
  • AFAN (Aid for AIDS of Nevada): Provides housing at Esperanza and Jardin (20 units total, half subsidized by HOPWA) and STRMU (short-term rent, mortgage, utility assistance). In the past year, they served 58 clients for STRMU, 86 the year before, and 63 in 2023. They are expanding into mental health services, citing that many clients lose housing due to untreated mental health issues. They collaborate with other providers to avoid duplication.
  • Hope Link of Southern Nevada: New to HOPWA, seeking funding for a housing-as-healthcare initiative. They have extensive experience with other federal grants (ESG, CDBG, etc.) and a 3.5% recidivism rate. They plan to partner with Ryan White programs and other HIV service organizations. They can scale the program if not fully funded.
  • CPLC (Chicanos por la Causa) Nevada: Has served 336 households since 2020 with HOPWA funds. They provide STRMU (cap of $5,000 per client), permanent housing placement (move-in costs), and hotel stays (up to 60 days). They emphasize financial literacy and community partnerships. They noted that about 12,000 people live with HIV in Nevada. They had a minor issue with unspent funds due to documentation delays, now resolved.
  • Community Counseling Center (CCC): Not requesting housing funds; instead, they seek HOPWA funding for behavioral health services (licensed counselor and HIV services specialist) to address mental health and substance use that lead to housing loss. They currently provide these services through Ryan White Part A and have partnerships with housing providers. They expect to reduce recidivism by stabilizing clients' mental health.
  • FDV Wellness Center (Fuente de Vida): New to HOPWA, seeking funding for mental health, substance use, and case management services. They currently provide pro bono services and have no waiting list. They plan to use funds for a case manager and housing stabilization. The board questioned their financial management capacity due to a medium-risk assessment and minimal revenue in 2024. They committed to using third-party audits and having clinical director Stephanie Mapula oversee grant compliance.
  • Just One Project: Has provided HOPWA services since 2022, now with two TBRA case managers and one STRMU case manager. They met or exceeded goals in the last fiscal year: 25 TBRA, 25 PHP, and over 75 STRMU. Halfway through the current year, they have already served 25 TBRA, 39 STRMU, and 11 PHP. They offer monthly home visits with food delivery (25–50 lbs) and bus passes. They noted a repeat audit finding on a separate commodities program but are implementing new controls.
  • Access to Healthcare Network: Seeking HOPWA funding for supportive services (case management, dietitians, food boxes, cooking classes). They have provided similar services for 15 years and now want to add STRMU for utility assistance. They employ registered dietitians and have a food box program (100–150 dollars per month per client). They noted a conflict of interest (CEO Trevor Rice and his mother, board member Sherry Rice, who received income during a transition year). They addressed the issue, stating that Sherry was excluded from relevant board discussions.
• CDBG Presentations:
  • CPLC Nevada: Requesting $80,000 for a financial literacy program (75 clients expected). They would provide credit counseling, one-time assistance (e.g., for job certifications or tools), and partner with other agencies. The board noted a possible typo in the risk assessment about CDBG experience; the program manager has three years of CDBG experience elsewhere.
  • Community Counseling Center: Requesting CDBG funds for "Pathways to Stability," a behavioral health program for city residents at risk of homelessness. They would fund 1.5 FTE (licensed clinician and half-time case manager). They have a 30-day treatment plan review and average 90-day engagement. They can scale if not fully funded.
  • FDV Wellness Center: Requesting CDBG funds for mental health and substance use services with case management. They have a medium-risk assessment and limited CDBG experience. They plan to use the funds for training and technology ($40,000 for computers/software) and to hire a case manager. The board expressed concerns about sustainability and financial management.
  • Just One Project: Requesting CDBG funds for youth case management, launched in January 2025. They served 30 youth in the first year and aim to double that to 60 (50% from Las Vegas). They partner with the Metro Dream Program and other agencies. They emphasize a housing-first approach and provide barrier mitigation (IDs, clothing, certifications).
  • Access to Healthcare Network: Requesting CDBG funds for the PEARLS program (evidence-based depression and social isolation intervention for seniors). They plan to serve 70 seniors, leveraging partnerships with Washoe County (technical assistance) and insurers. They have a 15-year track record in senior services and can scale if not fully funded.
  • Tech Impact: Requesting CDBG funds for IT workforce development (16-week program for ages 18–26, no college degree required). They have a 90% completion rate and 86% placement in IT jobs within six months. They also offer alumni training for middle skills (network, cybersecurity) leading to 16–21% salary increases. They provide free certification exams.
  • Unshakable: Requesting CDBG funds for "Empower to Employ," a program for women recovering from trauma (homelessness, substance use, domestic violence, trafficking). They offer workshops, career coaching, and barrier mitigation. They partner with other nonprofits and do not charge for their program. The program was designed with a trauma-informed specialist.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the March 11, 2025, regular meeting were approved by voice vote.
• Election of Chair and Co-Chair: Member Miller was re-elected as chair (motion, second, voice vote). Member McKnight was elected as co-chair (motion, second, voice vote).
• No Votes on Funding: The board did not take any votes on HOPWA or CDBG awards. These presentations are part of a multi-day review; decisions will be made at a later date.
• Withdrawals: Two applicants withdrew from later sessions: Jewish Family Service Agency (CDBG, February 10) and Sunrise Children's Foundation (CDBG, February 11).
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:50 PM (after a break).