MANKATO — Mankato’s proposed uses for more than $400,000 in federal funds for lower-income residents — everything from home rehab projects to a new park shelter to a free dental clinic — will be finalized after people have a chance to offer their opinions on the draft spending priorities later this month.
The city is anticipating $415,000 or more in Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the year beginning July 1 — a 4.8% bump from the current year. If the draft spending program is adopted, it will mostly follow Mankato’s traditional CDBG Action Plan.
The largest chunk of money would be targeted at housing rehabilitation — $165,000 for qualifying owner-occupied homes and $72,250 for rental units that are home to low-income and moderate-income households. City officials estimate the funds will be enough for projects at four owner-occupied homes and eight apartment units or rental homes. The combined total for home rehab — $237,250 — is up more than 14% from the $107,000 and $100,000 allocated for the respective programs this year.
The plan calls for $100,000 to be used for a new picnic shelter at Highland Park, the same as this year’s allocation for a picnic shelter at Lion’s Park. In both cases, the parks are near neighborhoods with a disproportionate share of low- to moderate-income households.
Just under $58,000 is proposed for public services provided by nonprofit organizations. Repeat winners are VINE Faith in Action ($15,932 proposed), Open Door Health Center ($11,673) and Minnesota State University’s Public Dental Clinic ($10,000). Proposed new recipients of the CBDG funds are Mankato Youth Place ($4,995) and Feeding Our Communities Partners ($5,000).
Two organizations funded this year — the Minnesota Council of Churches for its immigrant-focused Tapestry Project and the Good Counsel Learning Center’s tutoring program — are not on the list for the upcoming funding year. The public services grants are chosen based on recommendations of a committee of City Council members and city staff.
Finally, $20,000 of the federal funding would be allocated to the administration of the grants.
People wishing to comment on the plan can do so as part of a public hearing to be held at the April 22 City Council meeting.
The full plan can be found by searching for “Draft 2024 CDBG Action Plan” on the city’s website at www.mankatomn.gov.