Farmington Hills residents have until Friday, Sept. 18, to weigh in on how the city spent its federal community development dollars during the fiscal year that ended June 30.
The city opened a 15-day public comment period on Wednesday, Sept. 2, on its draft Program Year 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, known as the CAPER. The report covers Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) spending from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, according to a public notice posted by the city.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the annual report. It measures whether the city met the goals laid out in its approved Consolidated Plan and annual action plan for housing, services and neighborhood improvements aimed at low- and moderate-income residents.
The city uses CDBG funds primarily for housing rehabilitation, public services and capital improvements in eligible areas. Past spending has supported zero-interest, deferred home-repair loans for low- and moderate-income homeowners, along with nonprofit partners providing health care, mental health services, assistance to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and homelessness prevention, according to a city press release from February 2026.
For context, the city's next program year budget anticipates roughly $358,837 in CDBG funds from HUD plus about $50,000 in program income, totaling approximately $408,837, according to a separate PY2026 planning notice. The PY2025 allocation was not listed in available public documents.
Tracey Emmanuel, the city's community development coordinator, stressed the value of public feedback in a Feb. 27 press release about the city's broader five-year community development planning process. "Input is essential to ensuring these programs reflect the real needs of the community," Emmanuel said at the time. That planning process sets the goals the CAPER measures.
The public notice was signed by Charmaine Kettler-Schmult, director of planning and community development, and Karen Mondora, acting city manager.
How to comment
The city will hold a public meeting at 4 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Community Room at City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road. Written comments are due by 4:30 p.m. that day.
Comments can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the Community Development Division, City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile, Farmington Hills, MI 48336.
The draft CAPER is available at City Hall. Residents needing ADA accommodations for the meeting should call 248-871-2545 at least two business days before Sept. 18.
