Long Beach will celebrate National Community Development Week next month, from April 6 to 11, by engaging and informing residents on the use of federal funding for local housing and community programs.

As part of Community Development Week, the city will offer a variety of events and initiatives, including workshops, community meetings, outreach and a survey seeking resident feedback on city programs that are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and support affordable housing, neighborhood improvements and community services in Long Beach, according to a press release.

Local programs funded by HUD include the Community Development Block Grant, the HOME Improvement Partnership Program and the Emergency Solutions Grant.

To help shape the 2026 HUD Action Plan, a federally required document that outlines how the city will use HUD funds, the city’s Community Development Department has launched a community survey for residents to share their input. The online survey will be open through May 2, and is available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog.

Community members can also attend an in-person hearing at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, in the Civic Chambers, or by attending a virtual Action Plan Community Meeting on Thursday, April 9.

Throughout Community Development Week, the department will also conduct door-to-door outreach to Community Development Block Grant-eligible neighborhoods, as well as take part in community events and share information through its social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook, according to a press release.

On April 8, the department will share new information about its Backyard Builders program and additional funding to help low-income homeowners add accessory-dwelling units to their properties, city officials said. Last year, for example, the Backyard Builders program provided 10 eligible homeowners with a 0% interest, 30-year loan of up to $250,000 to construct an ADU.

Three events and community meetings are slated for the 2026 Long Beach Community Development Week to engage residents on federal and grant-funded initiatives. They are:

Civic Plaza Information Booth and City Council Proclamation at 5 p.m. April 7 at the Long Beach Civic Plaza and City Hall, 411 W. Ocean Blvd.
Action Plan Community Meeting (virtual) from 6 to 7 p.m. April 9. Join online or by phone at 213-338-8477. Webinar ID: 982 1284 2365. Presentation on HUD-funded programs and opportunity for public comment.
Community Clean-up: Brooms Across West Long Beach from 9 a.m. to noon April 11. Meet at Pacific Coast Highway and San Gabriel Avenue, in West Long Beach. RSVP is encouraged but not required.

In fiscal year 2025-26, the city received about $8 million in combined CDBG, HOME and ESG funding, according to a press release. Current housing projects supported by this funding include The Armory Arts Collective, 101 Alamitos and 300 Alamitos. In 2024, the city opened the doors for three completed housing projects, including Wellspring, Heritage Gardens and The Cove.

A draft of the fiscal year 2026 Action Plan will be released in early May for public review and comment, officials said. A final public hearing will be held on June 10 before the plan goes to the City Council on June 16.

For more information about National Community Development Week events and the FY 26 Action Plan, visit longbeach.gov/hudgrants.