The City of Yakima’s Office of Neighborhood Development Services (ONDS) manages two federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement programs: Home Investments Partnership (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Public notice has been given that the City of Yakima is considering a substantial amendment related to CDBG funding.

The proposed amendment would be an adjustment to certain allocated CDBG funding in the 2021-2024 Annual Action Plans (AAP), as seen in the following table:

The reason for this adjustment in funding is due to recently-enacted regulations in the Build America, Buy America (BABA) act passed by Congress and signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. The BABA act imposes certain restrictions on CDBG funds allocated from 2023 onward that would increase the cost of the Aquatic Center at MLK Park project. This amendment allows the maximum amount of available CDBG funds to still be used for the project without triggering the new BABA regulations.

The 2021 and 2022 leftover funds would be re-allocated from other completed ONDS programs to the Aquatic Center project, as BABA restrictions do not apply to them.

The 2023 and 2024 funds that were originally planned for the Aquatic Center project would now be re-allocated to another ONDS program, namely single-family home rehab. The written comment period for this proposed amendment will last for 30 calendar days, from November 7, 2024 through December 8, 2024. Comments must be emailed to ask.planning@yakimawa.gov or delivered in person to the ONDS office during that time. All written comments received during the 30-day written comment period will be included in the submission to HUD. Written comments received after December 8, 2024 will not be considered. Questions may be directed to ONDS in person or by phone at (509) 575-6101.