MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS News) - Murfreesboro residents and community organizations are being invited to review and comment on the city’s proposed plan for using federal funding to address affordable housing, homelessness, neighborhood improvements and other community needs.
The Murfreesboro Community Development Department has released its draft 2026 Annual Action Plan, which explains how the city proposes to use federal entitlement funding received through the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships programs.
The plan identifies Murfreesboro’s priority needs, goals and proposed activities for assisting low- and moderate-income residents. Funding may support programs involving affordable housing, childcare, healthcare, job training, education, services for people experiencing homelessness and efforts to prevent or eliminate neighborhood blight.
A public meeting on the draft plan was scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, located at 1930 Memorial Boulevard. Residents were invited to attend and provide comments orally or in writing.
“The purpose of the Action Plan is to make the draft report available to the public for comments prior to its submittal to HUD,” Community Development Director Robert Holtz said. A copy of the draft Action Plan will be available for review Tuesday April 7, 2026, on the City’s website at www.murfreesborotn.gov/112/
Holtz noted that the proposed plan could be revised before its final submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Changes may reflect updated federal funding allocations and comments received from residents, organizations and other stakeholders.
“The City of Murfreesboro partners with the federal government to fund a wide range of public service activities, including childcare, healthcare, job training, homeless services and education programs,” Holtz added. “We encourage interested residents, community organizations and other stakeholders to attend the public meeting and provide comments.”
The Annual Action Plan is required under HUD’s Consolidated Plan regulations and serves as Murfreesboro’s application for certain federal entitlement funds during the 2026 program year. The city is required to submit an updated Action Plan annually.
The draft also outlines expected program outcomes, target populations and geographic areas within Murfreesboro where federal funding could be directed.
The city’s 30-day public comment period began April 7 and continued through May 6. Written comments were accepted until 5 p.m. on the final day of the comment period. Comments submitted by mail were required to be postmarked no later than May 6 and addressed to the Community Development Department at 211 Bridge Avenue, Room 136, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129.
The city also offered reasonable accommodations for residents with disabilities or sensory impairments who wished to participate in the public meeting.
Copies of the draft 2026 Annual Action Plan were available through the city’s Community Development Department. Additional information could be obtained by contacting Assistant Community Development Director Jessica Cline at 615-890-4660 or by email at jcline@murfreesborotn.gov.
