Council Delays Affordable Housing Mandate as $13.6M Budget Deficit Looms

Antioch's City Council confronted the widening gap between its ambitions and its wallet, receiving a draft budget projecting a $13.6 million deficit while punting on a proposed inclusionary housing ordinance that advocates say the city desperately needs. Meanwhile, a $34.9 million state grant that could convert a blighted hotel into 85 units of permanent supportive housing moved closer to approval.

• $13.6M deficit projected for FY27; staff warns spending is unsustainable as reserves drop from 43% to 35%

• Inclusionary housing ordinance delayed 4-1 after two-hour debate; will be folded into General Plan process, leaving no affordable housing mandate for at least 6-12 months

• $34.9M Home Key Plus grant for 85 permanent supportive housing units at former Comfort Inn nears state approval; loan committee meets March 12

• 12 organizations rally for 20% affordability requirement; Carpenters union and housing advocates push council to go further than proposed 15%

• Pruitt Waterpark repairs approved despite calls to divest from facility losing $1M+ annually

• Park district begins planning $10-15M lagoon replacement while youth swim programs train 3,000 students

The basics: Finance Director Dawn Merchant presented a one-year budget for FY2026-27 — a departure from the typical two-year cycle — because of the city's structural deficit. The city brought in roughly $100 million in revenue last year but spent $11.4 million more than it collected. Next year's gap grows to $13.6 million.