Who should receive Euclid’s next CDBG public-service dollars?

Euclid residents will get their first chance Sept. 17 to make the case for which local public services should share an estimated $142,500 in federal community-development funding.

The first public hearing on Euclid’s fiscal year 2027 Community Development Block Grant public-service proposals begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Council Chambers at Euclid City Hall. The hearing opens the public process; it is not a funding decision.

The limited pool could support services ranging from senior and youth programs to job assistance, housing counseling and help for residents with disabilities. Euclid expects about $142,500 to be available for public services in FY 2027. Federal rules cap that spending at 15% of the city’s annual CDBG allocation.

What the money can support

City departments and nonprofit organizations were eligible to apply for the funding through the city’s FY 2027 public-service application. Applicants had to attend an Aug. 19 orientation at Euclid Public Library and submit their requests by Sept. 9.

The applications, submitted to the Planning and Development Department, now move through public review and scoring.

Euclid identified senior programs, youth recreation, workforce development, public safety, education and literacy, fair housing and housing counseling, legal services, and services for people with disabilities as eligible areas for FY 2027 funding.

Federal CDBG rules also allow funding for employment services, crime prevention, child care, health services, education programs, fair-housing counseling, welfare services and recreation.

For a local provider seeking to continue an existing service, CDBG money generally is available only when the service is new or the provider can demonstrate a measurable increase from the previous 12 months.

From proposals to a budget

After residents speak Sept. 17, the next step is an Oct. 8 work session — not another public hearing — at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Officials plan to review and score the applications while developing the preliminary FY 2027 CDBG budget.

Euclid’s grant guidebook uses a 100-point framework, including 16 points based on an organization’s experience. The Euclid Citizens Advisory Committee reviews the applications and sends its funding recommendations to City Council.

The city is scheduled to release its preliminary budget Oct. 9. That begins a public-comment period running through Nov. 9.

How to weigh in

Residents can start by attending the Sept. 17 hearing, before the applications are scored and the preliminary budget is drafted.

A third public meeting, Public Hearing 3, is scheduled for Nov. 12 to review comments on the preliminary budget. City Council is scheduled to vote on the budget Dec. 7.

Questions about the process can be directed to Community Development Manager Edward G. Chenock Jr. at 216-289-8140 or [email protected]. Euclid’s Community Development Division administers the city’s CDBG and HOME funds.