The Stockton City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt the 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan. The plan outlines how Stockton will spend an estimated $4.9 million in federal housing and community development funds in the coming fiscal year beginning July 1.
The decision followed a lengthy public hearing, community presentations, and a robust council discussion highlighting the progress and challenges of the city’s grant allocation process.
The council also approved the 2025–2026 Annual Action Plan, Community Participation Plan, Language Access Plan, and Section 3 Plan, key documents required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for participation in programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships, and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG).
Councilmembers approved the consolidated plans with a 6-0 vote. Councilmember Mariela Ponce recused herself because, “one of her employer’s is on the list. They are not selected for funding but she needed to recuse herself,” Mayor Christina Fugazi said.
During the meeting, Economic Development Manager Jordan Peterson delivered a presentation detailing the outreach timeline, funding estimates and project priorities.
“Extensive outreach began in October 2024 and has continued through the present,” Peterson said, noting the use of community surveys, meetings, focus groups and event tabling.
Peterson explained that estimated allocations for the upcoming fiscal year include more than $3.2 million in CDBG funds, nearly $1,4 million in HOME funds, and just under $300,000 in ESG funds.
“These are estimates based on the previous year’s allocations,” Peterson added. “Final amounts will be adjusted once HUD releases the official figures.”
The Consolidated Plan outlines four strategic priorities: increasing and preserving affordable housing, reducing homelessness, building resilient and healthy communities, and strengthening the local economy.
Proposed projects for the 2025–2026 year include: affordable housing rehabilitation programs, homelessness prevention services, neighborhood infrastructure upgrades and small business support.
However, councilmembers voiced concerns over the transparency and accessibility of the funding process.
Fugazi pressed Peterson on how applications are filtered before reaching the Community Development Committee. “City staff review the surveys before the CDC?” she asked.
“That’s correct,” Peterson replied, noting that staff are more familiar with federal regulations and are involved in HUD audits. “We know what HUD’s going to be looking for.”
“What I learned is that good intentions are not enough. We need clarity, transparency and flexibility in this process — because this funding represents real hope for our residents.” — Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee
Fugazi expressed concern this process may discourage applicants.
“Some people apply over and over and never get an award,” she said. “They don’t know why. It’s frustrating because they feel others are always getting the funding. We need to do a better job educating people.”
Vice Mayor Jason Lee shared similar sentiments.
“There appears to be a breakdown in people understanding where the goalpost is,” he said. “Applicants should have the opportunity to fix minor issues that may otherwise disqualify them.”
Peterson acknowledged these challenges, emphasizing HUD’s strict oversight and the organizational capacity required of grantees.
“We absolutely will be audited. HUD looks for substantive policies and procedures,” Peterson said. “Some groups face capacity challenges, and it can be hard to uplift them in the middle of a funding cycle.”
District 4 Councilmember Mario Enríquez pointed to inconsistencies in how scores and funding decisions are perceived. He cited examples of two applicants, Children’s Home of Stockton and PREVAIL, or Pioneering Restoration and Elevating Voices of Advocacy, Idealism and Leadership, a nonprofit providing has been needs to homeless, runaway youth, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, who received similar scores but were awarded different funding amounts.
Prevail, or Pioneering Restoration and Elevating Voices of Advocacy, Idealism and Leadership, has been “San Joaquin County’s primary provider of free, confidential services and shelters specifically designed to meet the needs of homeless and runaway youth and victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking,” according to Prevail’s website.
“Children’s Home scored 88.75% and got $135,000, while Prevail scored 81.86% and received $152,500,” Enríquez noted. “What does that come down to?”
Peterson explained that nuances like HUD’s 60% cap on emergency shelter funding impacted those decisions.
“Staff must consider whether an organization can scale and implement a program with the available funding. It’s not just the score,” Peterson explained.
Public commenters provided support for local organizations recommended for funding.
Paula Sheil, a Delta College professor and founder of Tuleburg Press, emphasized the complexity of applying for CDBG funding.
“The application takes a month to complete. Every nickel and dime is scrutinized,” Sheil said. “We’ve partnered with four organizations this year to bring services to underserved areas, from motels to community centers.”
Jon Mendelson, executive director of the Central Valley Low-Income Housing Corporation explained the importance of ESG funds.
“Since 2012, we’ve helped house over 1,550 people, including children, people with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities,” he said. “Emergency shelter and homeless prevention programs don’t have revenue streams. We rely on your continued support.”
The adopted plans now go to HUD for final approval, and final funding allocations are expected later this year.
The Consolidated Plan at the end of last month is a HUD-mandated five-year strategic framework that jurisdictions, like Stockton, must submit to remain eligible for federal housing funds. These programs support affordable housing, homelessness services, infrastructure improvements, and economic development for low- to moderate-income residents.
The 2025–2029 plan was shaped by extensive community input the city says, including 609 survey responses, district-specific public meetings, and engagement with service providers.
Based on this feedback, the city identified six goals: build affordable housing, reduce homelessness, improve public infrastructure, enhance public health, support businesses, and expand economic opportunities.
While the plan’s approval marks a key milestone, councilmembers clarified that the city must continue refining its outreach, education and application review processes to ensure that all eligible groups have a fair chance at accessing public resources.
“What I learned is that good intentions are not enough,” Lee said. “We need clarity, transparency and flexibility in this process — because this funding represents real hope for our residents.”