City prepares to become entitlement community

Buckeye is on its way to potentially becoming a HUD entitlement community. 

Although the city has not yet received an official invitation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to earn the designation, city documents state that it anticipates the news arriving later this year.

The Buckeye City Council at a Feb. 18 meeting unanimously approved to take action to authorize the acceptance of that invitation if and when it arrives, including approving a one-time $75,000 budget transfer for documentation submission costs and authorizing City Manager Dan Cotterman to take necessary action at that time to secure the designation.

The goal is to become an entitlement city by Fiscal Year 2026-27.

“If the city becomes an entitlement community, it will receive a guaranteed set budget from HUD each year, which will provide consistency and predictability in project planning,” read city documents. “The Consolidated Plan is designed to assist states and local jurisdictions in assessing their affordable housing and community development needs, as well as market conditions. It facilitates data-driven, place-based investment decisions. The Plan will also serve as a framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing and community development priorities.”

This would also open up the city to numerous grant opportunities. Buckeye has been part of the Community Development Block Grant Program for more than 45 years with more than $11.1 million in funds received.

The city is currently pursuing several grants.

“Achieving entitlement status would ensure annual funding, providing financial stability and project predictability, while supporting eligible projects and programs for low- to moderate-income individuals and areas,” read the documents. “Entitlement status would also streamline project and program administration, removing the competitive process required for non-entitlement cities.”

Will Buckeye receive an invitation, however, when HUD's future is uncertain?

The department is currently being investigated by the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire tech engineer Elon Musk. According to an NPR report, Trump pushed for cuts to HUD’s budget during his first term. The Project 2025 agenda, written by many of Trump’s key supporters and appointees, calls for cuts to HUD. That chapter of the conservative policy guide was written by Trump’s former HUD secretary Ben Carson.

One anonymous source to NPR indicated that DOGE intends to lay off half of HUD employees. It is uncertain how these cuts and changes could impact programs for cities like Buckeye.

Read more about the council's vote in city documents HERE.