Agenda Item: 2
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
PUBLIC HEARINGS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: February 10, 2026
SUBJECT: RESULTS OF THE 2026-27 COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
SURVEY FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
PRESENTER: Tracy Sullivan
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council conduct a public hearing and receive information regarding the results of the annual Community Needs Assessment Survey conducted as part of the Community Development Block Grant Program for the 2026-27 Program Year.
BACKGROUND
Each year, the City of Santa Clarita (City) receives approximately $1.4 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist low- and moderate-income residents in the areas of housing and expanded economic opportunities.
To receive and administer CDBG funds, the City is required to prepare and implement a Consolidated Plan (Con Plan). The City’s current Con Plan, approved by City Council on May 14, 2024, establishes priorities for the use of CDBG funds over a five-year period, covering Fiscal Years (FY) 2024-25 through 2028-29. In addition, the City must adopt an Annual Action Plan each year, which outlines how that year’s CDBG allocation will be used to advance the priorities identified in the Con Plan. This process is informed by an annual needs assessment that evaluates current community conditions and emerging priorities.
For FY 2026-27, City staff conducted the needs assessment through a Community Needs Assessment Survey (Survey), along with in-person outreach at community events. The feedback and data collected through these efforts will be used to guide the development of the FY 2026-27 Annual Action Plan.
SURVEY SUMMARY
The Survey was open from September 22, 2025, through November 17, 2025, and was available in both English and Spanish. Respondents were asked to rate three categories in order of importance, based on the priorities identified in the City’s current Con Plan: 1) Affordable Housing, 2) Public Services, and 3) Public Facilities and Infrastructure.
OUTREACH PROCESS
To maximize community participation and ensure broad access to the Survey, staff implemented a comprehensive outreach strategy that included multiple communication channels and in-person engagement opportunities. Outreach efforts included:
• A social media campaign broadcasted on the City’s Instagram; • Display of flyers at City facilities;
• Distribution of the Survey to all current City CDBG service providers, members of the Santa Clarita Community Task Force on Homelessness, and other agency stakeholders; • In-person outreach at City events, the Newhall Community Center’s Cafecito con Pan meetings, and the SCV Education Foundation’s Annual Touch-a-Truck Event; • Flyer distribution to the William S. Hart District’s Padres Unidos meetings and the Sulphur Springs School District’s Wellness Collaborative; • Collaboration with Recreation and Community Services staff who marketed the survey at recreation events, and via email blasts to over 1,200 participants; and, • Promotion of the Survey through an SCVTV Community Corner segment.
In-person outreach efforts at City events included the Newhall Community Center’s Halloween Fiesta and the Canyon Country Community Center’s Día de Muertos Celebration. In addition, City staff conducted outreach at California Bakery, located at the corner of Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway, to distribute Survey and materials and engage directly with community members regarding the impact of CDBG-funded programs.
SURVEY RESULTS
A total of 314 individuals completed the Survey. Demographic data indicated that 30 percent of respondents reside in Valencia, 24 percent in Canyon Country, 27 percent in Saugus, 12 percent in Newhall, and 6 percent outside of City limits.
Age distribution showed that 60 percent of respondents were between the ages of 40 and 64, 34 percent were between ages 18 and 39, and 5 percent were 65 or older. In terms of housing status, 66 percent identified as homeowners, 22 percent as renters, and 10 percent reported staying with family or friends.
Respondents were asked to identify the three highest-priority needs within each of the City’s Con Plan priorities. Survey results indicated the following to be the five highest ranked priorities per category:
• Affordable Housing: Affordable housing for seniors, affordable family rental housing,
affordable housing for the disabled, energy efficiency improvements, and homeownership assistance;
• Public Services: Neglected and abused children services, youth activities, anti-crime programs, health services, and mental health services;
• Public Facilities and Infrastructure: Parks and recreation facilities; youth, teen, and childcare centers; community centers, libraries, and neighborhood improvements
Written comments were submitted by 62 respondents. The most frequently requested services and program areas included youth and sports programs, homeless services, homeownership assistance programs, and improvements in the Newhall area, including Newhall Park.
NEXT STEPS
No formal action is being requested of the City Council at this time. The 2026-27 Action Plan and recommended CDBG Funding Allocations will be presented to the City Council for consideration at a public hearing to be scheduled in April 2026.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other actions as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS
CNA Public Hearing Notice 26-27
FY 26-27 Survey Results (available in Clerk's Reading File)