11.B.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 05/19/2026
- From:
- Kristine Pavlik, Housing and Grants Administrator
TITLE:
Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-23:
A resolution approving the City of Flagstaff's 2026-2030 Consolidated Plan and authorizing its submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Read Resolution No. 2026-23 by title only
- City Clerk reads Resolution No. 2026-23 (if approved above)
- Adopt Resolution No. 2026-23
Executive Summary:
The 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan (ConPlan) is a five-year strategic plan and assessment of community needs. This plan serves as a guiding document for the community to help achieve HUD’s federally required primary and national objectives for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. It identifies priority needs, establishes goals and strategies, and outlines how federal resources will be used to support low- and moderate-income residents, address housing and community development challenges, and improve overall quality of life in Flagstaff.
The creation of the Consolidated Plan is an extensive process that involves public and stakeholder input (collected through surveys, public meetings, and a 30-day public comment period), community needs assessments, and a housing market analysis. The data outlined in the ConPlan helps determine the relative priority of activities and the populations that will be served in the coming years with federal funds.
Key findings from this process highlight several ongoing challenges in the Flagstaff community. Housing cost burden remains one of the most significant issues, with rising home values and rents outpacing income growth. A substantial portion of the housing stock is aging and in need of rehabilitation, increasing maintenance costs and potential health and safety risks. Community input also identified continued demand for homelessness services, including shelter capacity and coordinated access to housing resources, as well as the need for improved public facilities, infrastructure, and ADA accessibility in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
The following are the four priority needs proposed for the 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan:
Preserve & Develop Affordable Housing
The creation of the Consolidated Plan is an extensive process that involves public and stakeholder input (collected through surveys, public meetings, and a 30-day public comment period), community needs assessments, and a housing market analysis. The data outlined in the ConPlan helps determine the relative priority of activities and the populations that will be served in the coming years with federal funds.
Key findings from this process highlight several ongoing challenges in the Flagstaff community. Housing cost burden remains one of the most significant issues, with rising home values and rents outpacing income growth. A substantial portion of the housing stock is aging and in need of rehabilitation, increasing maintenance costs and potential health and safety risks. Community input also identified continued demand for homelessness services, including shelter capacity and coordinated access to housing resources, as well as the need for improved public facilities, infrastructure, and ADA accessibility in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
The following are the four priority needs proposed for the 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan:
Preserve & Develop Affordable Housing
- Support the preservation of existing affordable housing and the development of new units to ensure safe, stable, and accessible housing options for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. This includes protecting existing affordability, improving housing quality, and expanding the supply of rental and homeownership opportunities.
- Invest in the improvement of public facilities and infrastructure to support safe, accessible, and resilient neighborhoods, particularly in low- and moderate-income areas. This includes addressing aging systems, removing barriers to access, and enhancing community-serving spaces.
- Provide funding for public service programs that support low- and moderate-income residents and individuals with special needs, including those experiencing homelessness, poverty, disability, or behavioral health challenges. These services are intended to improve stability, access to resources, and overall quality of life.
- Ensure the effective and compliant administration of HUD-funded programs through oversight, financial management, and ongoing monitoring of subrecipients. This includes planning, reporting, and community engagement activities necessary to implement programs in alignment with federal requirements and local priorities.
Financial Impact:
Approval of the resolution authorizes the City of Flagstaff to submit the 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which is required for the City to continue receiving annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funding. While the Consolidated Plan does not appropriate funds directly, it establishes
a five-year framework that guides the use of approximately $600,000 to $700,000 in annual CDBG funding, along with program income and prior-year
resources. These funds support eligible housing, public service, and infrastructure activities that benefit low- and moderate-income residents. All funding allocations will be determined annually through the Annual Action Plan.
Policy Impact:
The Flagstaff City Council’s CDBG Priorities (established January 2025):
- Provide affordable housing (rental and homeownership)
- Address homelessness
- Support neighborhood revitalization
- Workforce development (including job training and lifespan education)
Previous Council Decision or Community Discussion:
An overview of the Consolidated Plan (ConPlan), including key findings from the Market Analysis and Needs Assessment as well as the proposed goals and priorities, was presented to the Housing Commission on March 26, 2026. The Housing Commission reviewed the information and provided input. This overview was also presented to City Council during the April 14, 2026, work session, where Council provided direction to inform the finalization of the Plan.
Options and Alternatives to Recommended Action:
- Approve Resolution and authorize the submission of the 2026-2030 Consolidated Plan to HUD.
- Modify Resolution and authorize the submission to HUD.
- Not approve Resolution and risk losing the 2026 and future CDBG allocations.
Background and History:
The City of Flagstaff is an Entitlement Community and receives an annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To receive these funds, the City is required to complete a five-year Consolidated Plan (ConPlan) that identifies community needs, sets priorities, and outlines how federal resources will be used to benefit low- and moderate-income residents. The 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan builds on prior planning efforts and aligns with other adopted plans, including the Flagstaff Regional Plan, the 10-Year Housing Plan, and the Carbon Neutrality Plan.
The ConPlan is based on a data-driven process that includes a housing market analysis, needs assessment, and community input. Key findings show that housing affordability remains a significant challenge, with home prices and rents rising faster than incomes. At the same time, much of the City’s housing stock is aging and in need of rehabilitation, and there is continued demand for homelessness services, including shelter capacity and coordinated access to housing resources. Community input also highlighted the need to improve public facilities, infrastructure, and ADA accessibility, particularly in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Public and stakeholder engagement was a key part of developing the Plan. Housing staff conducted focus groups with housing and service providers, met with community partners, and coordinated with the Coconino County Continuum of Care. Additional outreach included a community survey, public meetings, and a 30-day public comment period in accordance with HUD requirements.
This input directly informed the four priority areas and associated goals:
Preserve and Develop Affordable Housing
Improve Public Facilities and Infrastructure
Public Services for Low- and Moderate-Income and Special Needs Populations
Effective Program Administration.
The Consolidated Plan establishes the framework for how CDBG funds will be used over the next five years and is implemented annually through the Annual Action Plan (AAP). Each year, projects are selected through the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process, staff review, and community input to ensure funding aligns with identified priorities and HUD requirements. This approach allows the City to stay responsive to community needs while maintaining compliance and advancing long-term housing and community development goals.
The ConPlan is based on a data-driven process that includes a housing market analysis, needs assessment, and community input. Key findings show that housing affordability remains a significant challenge, with home prices and rents rising faster than incomes. At the same time, much of the City’s housing stock is aging and in need of rehabilitation, and there is continued demand for homelessness services, including shelter capacity and coordinated access to housing resources. Community input also highlighted the need to improve public facilities, infrastructure, and ADA accessibility, particularly in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Public and stakeholder engagement was a key part of developing the Plan. Housing staff conducted focus groups with housing and service providers, met with community partners, and coordinated with the Coconino County Continuum of Care. Additional outreach included a community survey, public meetings, and a 30-day public comment period in accordance with HUD requirements.
This input directly informed the four priority areas and associated goals:
Preserve and Develop Affordable Housing
Improve Public Facilities and Infrastructure
Public Services for Low- and Moderate-Income and Special Needs Populations
Effective Program Administration.
The Consolidated Plan establishes the framework for how CDBG funds will be used over the next five years and is implemented annually through the Annual Action Plan (AAP). Each year, projects are selected through the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process, staff review, and community input to ensure funding aligns with identified priorities and HUD requirements. This approach allows the City to stay responsive to community needs while maintaining compliance and advancing long-term housing and community development goals.
Connection to PBB Priorities and Objectives:
The 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan (ConPlan) aligns with the City of Flagstaff’s Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) framework by supporting investments that reflect community-identified priorities and outcomes. Through PBB, the City evaluates programs and services based on how well they align with key community priorities established by residents and City Council, ensuring that resources are directed toward the areas of greatest need and impact. The ConPlan’s focus on housing stability, public services, infrastructure improvements, and equitable access to resources directly supports priorities such as a Safe & Healthy Community, Inclusive & Engaged Community, and Livable Community.
The ConPlan development process also mirrors the City’s PBB emphasis on transparency and community input. HUD’s citizen participation requirements require robust engagement, including public meetings, surveys, stakeholder consultations, and a formal public comment period. This process ensures that resident voices help shape funding priorities in a way that is consistent with how the City defines and updates its PBB priorities and objectives through ongoing public input. Together, the ConPlan and PBB framework reinforce a consistent approach to decision-making—grounding both planning and budgeting in community priorities, data, and measurable outcomes.Connection to Regional Plan:
The 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan (ConPlan) aligns with the City of Flagstaff Regional Plan by supporting goals related to housing, neighborhood vitality, and community well-being. The ConPlan’s focus on preserving and developing affordable housing, improving public facilities and infrastructure, and providing services for low- and moderate-income residents directly supports Regional Plan goals to expand housing opportunities at a range of price points, maintain safe and healthy neighborhoods, and address homelessness. Investments guided by the ConPlan are intended to strengthen existing neighborhoods, improve access to community resources, and support overall quality of life across the region.
In addition, the ConPlan supports Regional Plan policies related to accessibility, sustainability, and equity. Efforts to improve public facilities, remove barriers to access, and support vulnerable populations align with policies focused on safe and sanitary housing, accessibility for persons with disabilities, and equitable access to services. The Plan also reinforces ongoing coordination with community partners and regional systems, including homelessness response and housing programs, which supports broader Regional Plan goals to eliminate homelessness and expand housing stability. Overall, the ConPlan provides a framework for aligning federal resources with local and regional priorities to address housing and community development needs in a coordinated and consistent way.
In addition, the ConPlan supports Regional Plan policies related to accessibility, sustainability, and equity. Efforts to improve public facilities, remove barriers to access, and support vulnerable populations align with policies focused on safe and sanitary housing, accessibility for persons with disabilities, and equitable access to services. The Plan also reinforces ongoing coordination with community partners and regional systems, including homelessness response and housing programs, which supports broader Regional Plan goals to eliminate homelessness and expand housing stability. Overall, the ConPlan provides a framework for aligning federal resources with local and regional priorities to address housing and community development needs in a coordinated and consistent way.
Connection to Carbon Neutrality Plan:
The 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan (ConPlan) supports the City of Flagstaff’s Carbon Neutrality Plan by prioritizing investments that improve building performance, strengthen community resilience, and ensure that sustainability efforts benefit low- and moderate-income residents. The ConPlan’s focus on public facility and infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitation, and community-serving spaces aligns with the City’s goals to reduce energy use, improve indoor environmental quality, and prepare for climate-related impacts such as extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and other environmental stressors.
In addition, the ConPlan emphasizes equity and access in alignment with the Carbon Neutrality Plan’s commitment to ensuring that climate strategies are inclusive and responsive to community need. Investments in accessible facilities, neighborhood improvements, and services for vulnerable populations help ensure that residents most impacted by climate risks have access to safe, resilient spaces and resources. The ConPlan also supports coordination with local partners and broader planning efforts, reinforcing a comprehensive approach to sustainability that integrates housing, infrastructure, and community health.
In addition, the ConPlan emphasizes equity and access in alignment with the Carbon Neutrality Plan’s commitment to ensuring that climate strategies are inclusive and responsive to community need. Investments in accessible facilities, neighborhood improvements, and services for vulnerable populations help ensure that residents most impacted by climate risks have access to safe, resilient spaces and resources. The ConPlan also supports coordination with local partners and broader planning efforts, reinforcing a comprehensive approach to sustainability that integrates housing, infrastructure, and community health.
Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan:
The 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan (ConPlan) aligns closely with the City of Flagstaff’s 10-Year Housing Plan by providing a federal funding framework that supports the City’s broader housing goals and strategies. While the 10-Year Housing Plan establishes a long-term vision to increase housing supply, preserve affordability, and improve housing stability, the ConPlan identifies how Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds can be used to support those efforts, particularly for low- and moderate-income residents. The ConPlan’s priority areas—preserving and developing affordable housing, improving public facilities and infrastructure, and providing public services—directly support the Housing Plan’s focus on reducing homelessness, increasing housing access, and strengthening the overall housing system.
A key area of alignment is the shared focus on reducing homelessness and improving housing stability. The ConPlan supports strategies to strengthen coordinated systems such as Coordinated Entry and partnerships with the Continuum of Care, which are central to the Housing Plan’s approach to making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. Investments in shelter operations, supportive services, and facility improvements help address immediate needs while also supporting pathways to permanent housing. In addition, the ConPlan reinforces the Housing Plan’s emphasis on integrating housing with healthcare and social services by supporting programs that connect residents to behavioral health, case management, and other critical resources.
The ConPlan also supports the Housing Plan’s focus on equity and access. Through investments in ADA improvements, removal of architectural barriers, and targeted investments in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, the ConPlan helps address disparities in access to housing, services, and community resources. These efforts align with the Housing Plan’s strategies to center equity in housing policies and ensure that historically underserved populations have access to safe and stable housing opportunities. The Plan’s emphasis on fair housing education, inclusive service delivery, and coordination with community partners further supports these goals.
Finally, the ConPlan complements the Housing Plan’s strategies to preserve and improve the existing housing stock. With a significant portion of Flagstaff’s housing built prior to 1980, both plans recognize the importance of rehabilitation and ongoing investment to maintain safe and habitable housing. While the ConPlan is limited in scale compared to local funding tools, it plays an important role in supporting housing stability, improving living conditions, and leveraging other local, state, and federal resources. Together, the ConPlan and the 10-Year Housing Plan provide a coordinated approach to addressing housing challenges in Flagstaff through both long-term planning and targeted annual investments.
A key area of alignment is the shared focus on reducing homelessness and improving housing stability. The ConPlan supports strategies to strengthen coordinated systems such as Coordinated Entry and partnerships with the Continuum of Care, which are central to the Housing Plan’s approach to making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. Investments in shelter operations, supportive services, and facility improvements help address immediate needs while also supporting pathways to permanent housing. In addition, the ConPlan reinforces the Housing Plan’s emphasis on integrating housing with healthcare and social services by supporting programs that connect residents to behavioral health, case management, and other critical resources.
The ConPlan also supports the Housing Plan’s focus on equity and access. Through investments in ADA improvements, removal of architectural barriers, and targeted investments in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, the ConPlan helps address disparities in access to housing, services, and community resources. These efforts align with the Housing Plan’s strategies to center equity in housing policies and ensure that historically underserved populations have access to safe and stable housing opportunities. The Plan’s emphasis on fair housing education, inclusive service delivery, and coordination with community partners further supports these goals.
Finally, the ConPlan complements the Housing Plan’s strategies to preserve and improve the existing housing stock. With a significant portion of Flagstaff’s housing built prior to 1980, both plans recognize the importance of rehabilitation and ongoing investment to maintain safe and habitable housing. While the ConPlan is limited in scale compared to local funding tools, it plays an important role in supporting housing stability, improving living conditions, and leveraging other local, state, and federal resources. Together, the ConPlan and the 10-Year Housing Plan provide a coordinated approach to addressing housing challenges in Flagstaff through both long-term planning and targeted annual investments.
Connection to Division Specific Plan:
Please see the Connection to 10-Year Housing Plan section.