At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Carrie Harmon, Director of Community Development and Housing, outlined plans for the county’s 2025–2035 Consolidated Plan and 2025–2026 Action Plan. These plans are critical to securing federal funds for projects that address housing and community development needs in unincorporated communities and participating cities.
Harmon highlighted accomplishments under the previous five-year plan, including $5.2 million spent on public facilities and infrastructure, $1.5 million for affordable housing and shelters, and nearly $400,000 to support emergency housing for homeless residents. The county also allocated the last COVID-specific federal grants for housing and community development projects, totaling almost $10 million.
Community input is vital to shaping these plans. This year’s outreach efforts included surveys, media campaigns, and attendance at 26 community events. The county received over 1,600 survey responses—the highest level of engagement to date. The feedback will help prioritize future projects, such as affordable housing, public facility upgrades, and emergency housing services.
The county plans to draft the new five-year and one-year action plans over the next two months, incorporating public comments into the final drafts. The plans will return to the Board of Supervisors for approval in April and will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by May.
Two participants attended yesterday’s meeting in Joshua Tree, and none from the Morongo Basin in San Bernardino.
