Comunicados de Prensa

Guaynabo – Broad Dialogue on Housing and Community Development: Annual Review of Key Federal Programs Held

In an effort to strengthen planning and response to housing and community development needs in Puerto Rico, the annual review of the federal programs CDBG State, ESG, HOPWA, HOME, and HTF was recently held. The event, held at the Yolanda Guerrero Cultural Center in Guaynabo, brought together mayors and their representatives, officials from various government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and experts in the field.

The review was attended and actively participated by representatives from municipalities, as well as key agencies such as the Department of Housing, the Department of Family Affairs, and the Housing Finance Authority (AFV).

The Interagency Committee, composed of leaders from federal programs, presented the 5-Year Consolidated Plan 2025-2029 and the 2025 Annual Community Action Plan. These presentations included a detailed analysis of the island's housing needs.

Estudios Técnicos Inc. presented the results of a census that revealed a worrying lack of available housing units, highlighting the urgency of addressing this challenge.

The main purpose of the meeting was to foster an open and constructive dialogue, allowing participants to express their comments, opinions, recommendations, and questions regarding housing and community development needs, as well as federal programs.

The agencies involved committed to carefully analyzing all input received and incorporating the responses into the draft action plan, which will be published on April 11, 2025.

Additionally, a 30-day period, until April 8, 2025, was opened to receive additional comments by email to programacdbg@vivienda.pr.gov.

Implications and Next Steps:

This annual meeting represents a fundamental step in the planning and allocation process of federal funds for housing and community development programs in Puerto Rico.

The feedback received during the event and the comment period will be crucial to ensuring that the plans and programs effectively respond to the needs of the population.

It is important to note that these federal programs are of utmost importance to the island, as many of the funds used for housing in Puerto Rico come from them.

For more information about federal programs and the planning process, we recommend visiting the Puerto Rico Department of Housing website at www.vivienda.pr.gov.