Our agencies on how these funds should be distributed.

Okay.

Let me now walk you through today's agenda and what exactly we'll be covering in today's session.

We will begin with an introduction to the annual action plan and an overview of the public participation process, including some of the key requirements that guide it.

Next, we will provide a brief explanation of the four major federal entitlement programs that the City of Miami administered using funds received from HUD, which are community development block grant, home investment partnerships program, housing opportunities for persons with AIDS, and emergency solutions grant.

Each of these programs play a vital and unique role in supporting housing, public services and community development initiatives throughout the city.

After the presentation, we'll open the floor for your comments and questions.

We truly value your feedback.

It helps ensure that this plan reflects the real needs and priorities of our community.

So we'll begin with a brief introduction, a brief overview of the annual action plan.

In accordance with federal regulations, the city is required to submit its annual action plan to HUD on or around August 15th of each year.

This ensures that the city remains eligible to receive federal funding.

It also allows the city to apply for assistance.

Each of these programs plays a vital role in supporting affordable housing, reducing homelessness, and improving the quality of life for city residents.

The action plan is our roadmap for how these federal resources will be utilized in the upcoming program year.

And your input tonight is an important part of shaping that direction.

The annual action plan includes three major components an analysis and inventory of existing community assets and services, a proposed funding strategy that addresses identified community needs and concerns, and clear goals and measurable objectives designed to guide our efforts in meeting those priorities.

This plan serves several important functions.

It acts as a strategic planning document for the city, helping us align our community development efforts with real on the ground needs.

It serves as a city's formal application for federal funding under HUD's formula grant programs, and thirdly provides a roadmap for how we will implement HUD funded activities throughout the year.

The annual action plan is a community-focused strategy designed to deliver meaningful measurable impact.

Citizen participation.

The purpose of tonight's meeting is to involve you, our residents, in shaping the City of Miami Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 26.

This plan determines how the city will utilize next year's federal funding to support housing, community development, and public services.

Your input is essential.

We want to hear your ideas and suggestions on where the city should focus its priorities, what areas you feel need the most attention and support.

Each year, through the Department of Housing and Community Development, the city actively encourages participation from all community members, including individuals from minority groups, non-English speakers, and residents with disabilities.

Everyone deserves a voice in this process.

And we are here to listen.

Your comments, concerns, concerns, and ideas help us make better decisions.

They help us improve the services we provide and ensure that our resources are being directed to the areas where they're needed the most.

So please don't hold back.

Your voice matters and your feedback will directly help shape the future of our communities.

The community development block grant or CDBG.

The CDBG program was created by Congress in 1974 and is one of the most flexible funding sources provided by the federal government.

The funds allow cities like ours to invest in a wide range of community needs, including public services, economic development, improvement to streets and parks, and housing rehabilitation assistance, among other eligible activities.

While the program offers flexibility, it also comes with some important guidelines.

Federal regulations limit the use of CDBG funds for public service to no more than 15% of the total allocation.

This includes valuable programs like Meals for Seniors or Childcare Services.

In addition, CDBG funds can be used to support local economic development, like providing technical assistance to small businesses and can also support certain housing initiatives such as rehab in single family homes.

That said, every CDBG funded activity must meet at least one of HUD's three national objectives, with the primarily focus being to benefit low to moderate income residents.

HUD recently released the allocation for CDBG, and the city will be receiving in fiscal year 2026 4,947 248 dollars.

This slide show a visual overview of the funding levels the city has received throughout some times.

In fiscal year 26, there was a slight decrease in funding compared to the city what the city received in 2025.

However, this is still a significant drop from the levels of CBG funding seen in earlier years.

For example, back in 2002, the city received nearly 13 million dollars.

This long-term decline presents an ongoing challenge.

How do we continue to deliver the same quality and quantity of services with fewer federal dollars?

To help address this gap, the city has been supplementing federal resources by using social service gap funds, a general fund account established specifically to offset some of those losses we've experienced over time.

This approach allows to continue supporting essential public services for our residents, given as federal allocations remain well below historical levels.

The Home Investment Partnership Program.

To make most of these federal dollars, the department uses home funds to leverage additional public and private resources, helping to extend the impact and reach of the city's housing investments.

HUD has informed that the city in 2026 will be receiving 2,791 447 dollars.

Over the years, we have observed a general decline in home funding allocations.

While in recent years, the amounts have remained relatively stable, they have not kept pace with inflation or rising housing costs.

In real terms, this means that although the dollar amount may appear somewhat steady, its buying power has diminished, making it increasingly difficult to meet the growing need for affordable housing in today's market.

As a result, the gap between available resources and the cost of delivering housing solutions continues to widen.

Housing opportunities for persons with AIDS program.

Administered by the Office of HIV housing within HUD, HOPA provides essential funding to help communities design long-term strategies for meeting the housing needs of low-income persons living with HIV.

By statute, the largest eligible metropolitan city in each county is designated as the lead agency responsible for administering and managing the HAPA program at the local level.