Stamford Chess Committee Public Hearing on PY52 CDBG & HOME Funding - April 21, 2026

The City of Stamford Chess Committee (Community Development, Housing Education, Social Services, State and Commerce) held a public hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM to solicit public input on the Program Year 52 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and to hear presentations from 30 applicants seeking CDBG funding. Chair [not named] presided, with committee members present: Goldberg, Gross, McEwen, Halleck, Price, Sylvestri, Walston, Weirs, and Jaeger (excused). A quorum was established.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anna Gallegos, representing the design team of the Stanford Public School Foundation (SPEF), expressed strong support for the People Empowering People (PEP) program, a 10-week Spanish-language leadership program for parents. She described how PEP builds skills, confidence, and civic engagement, citing graduates now serving in various leadership roles across the city. She urged the committee to fund the PEP program.

Discussion Items

Item 1: Public Hearing on Program Year 52 CDBG and HOME Programs

• Moira Sodge, Community Development Administrator, presented the city's Annual Action Plan. She explained that HUD provides CDBG ($945,000 expected) and HOME (approximately $400,000) funding to support low- and moderate-income residents. She detailed the breakdown: 20% ($189,124) for administration, 15% cap ($141,843) for public services, and the balance for public facilities/infrastructure ($326,241) and housing ($2,884). She reviewed past funded projects (e.g., pantry van, food pantry manager, veterans center, playground, generator, cabinetry). The timeline: applications reviewed, committee scoring in May, appropriations through Board of Finance and Board of Representatives, final plan to HUD by August, and funding to nonprofits by October 1. The draft plan will be posted with a 30-day public comment period.

Item 2: Public Hearing on PY52 CDBG Proposals

• The committee heard from 30 applicants (13 public improvement, 17 public service) requesting CDBG funds. Before presentations, the chair reminded members of conflict of interest rules, scoring deadlines (May 9, recommended by April 24), and to keep questions brief.

• Public Improvement Applicants:

  • Ables: Renovation of ADA bathroom at a group home (38 Little Hill Dr.) serving 6 individuals with disabilities.
  • Inspirica: Replacement of fire escape and wheelchair ramp at Women's Emergency Shelter (8 Woodland Place), the only single women's shelter in Stamford.
  • ARI of Connecticut: Repaving driveway at group home (5 Tallyhoe Lane) for 7 individuals with developmental disabilities ($18,742 requested).
  • Optimus Healthcare: Parking lot renovation at 805 Atlantic St. to improve safety and ADA compliance for 4,400 patients ($50,488 requested, $5,000 match).
  • Housing Authority (Charter Oak): Security camera system installation at Wormsor Congregate (28 Vine Rd.), a 50-unit building for low-income elderly ($37,884 requested).
  • Family Centers: Concrete and ADA ramp renovation at 986 Bedford St. to improve access to health/human services ($72,540 requested).
  • Pacific House: $50,000 for emergency shelter food program and $5,300 for commercial refrigerator; also $24,750 for AC condenser replacement at permanent supportive housing on Spruce St.
  • Children's Learning Center: Playground paving and safety gates at 64 Palmer's Hill Rd. ($14,949 requested).
  • Building One Community: First floor extension and ADA upgrades at their community center for immigrant services ($80,000 requested).
  • Mutual Housing/CT Housing Partners: Window resealing and community room heating at Trinity Park Apartments (48 units) ($61,000 requested).
  • Ferguson Library: ADA entrance at Weed Memorial Branch (1143 Hope St.) ($24,000 requested).

• Public Service Applicants:

  • St. Joseph Parenting Center: $20,000 for bilingual case management to prevent child abuse and neglect.
  • River House Adult Day Center: $30,000 for transportation via Norwalk Transit for seniors; 43% of participants are Stamford residents.
  • CIRI: $15,000 for immigration legal services; 400 people served, at least 200 from Stamford.
  • Person to Person: $30,000 for casework admin salary for emergency assistance.
  • Liberation Programs: Funding for integrated mental health counselor (uninsured clients).
  • Wheel It Forward: $30,000 for durable medical equipment lending library; 20% of users are Stamford residents.
  • Domus Kids: $40,000 for Project New Hope street outreach to end youth violence.
  • Silver Source: $36,500 for uncovered medical expenses for low-income seniors.
  • Inspirica (Public Service): $26,000 for chef-prepared meals (Cook Unity) at Triage Center for homeless families.
  • New Covenant Center: $20,000 total ($10,000 food, $10,000 case manager salary); provides 400-450 meals/day and groceries to 1,500 individuals/month.
  • SPEF: Funding for the PEP program (Spanish leadership program) to serve 40 parents.
  • United Way: $25,000 for Alice Critical Needs Fund to assist ALICE households with emergencies.
  • Women's Mentoring Network: $24,000 for E to the 4th Power program (workforce development, financial literacy).
  • Community Health Center: $10,000 to offset uncompensated care for uninsured patients amid anticipated coverage losses.
  • Rowan Center: $25,000 for crisis response and therapy for sexual violence survivors.
  • Kids in Crisis: $20,000 for counselor for children in emergency shelter.
  • Building One Community: $30,000 for workforce development (digital literacy, entrepreneurship, OSHA training).

• Moira also noted that the committee will need to vote on the administrative allocation of $189,124 for CDBG administration.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken on the funding allocations for the presented proposals; the committee will score applications and make final determinations at a subsequent meeting.
• Committee members were urged to submit their scores by May 9, with a recommended target of April 24 for early submission to allow troubleshooting.
• The public hearing was closed after all presentations.
• The meeting was adjourned via unanimous voice vote.

Note: The agenda and minutes were not available for this meeting; all information is derived solely from the raw transcription provided.