Receive public input on a draft of the sixth substantial amendment to the CDBG-CV PY19-23 Consolidated Plan PY19 Action Plan, which is posted for a 30-day public comment period (January 14-February 17, 2026). (Judge Brown & Commissioner Gómez)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Under the provisions of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. § 5301), the federal government, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), sponsors the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to assist cities and counties in developing viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons. Since 2006, Travis County has received CDBG funds from HUD on an annual basis. <br><br id="isPasted">The proposed amendment includes projects using Community Development Block Grant–Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding to prepare for, prevent, or respond to coronavirus in the unincorporated areas of Travis County and the Villages of San Leanna and Webberville.<br><br>The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) made available supplemental CDBG funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus (CDBG-CV grants). The CARES Act also provided CDBG grantees with flexibilities to facilitate the use of CDBG-CV and fiscal year 2019 and 2020 CDBG funds for coronavirus response, and authorized HUD to grant waivers and alternative requirements. HUD announced the allocation of the first $2 billion in CARES Act CDBG funding.<br><br>Travis County received two allocations totaling $1,588,708 (April 2020 – $700,683 and September 2020 – $888,025).<br>The Travis County CDBG Office issued four CDBG-CV grant funding application rounds: <br>•    Round 1-May 2020 in which 16 applications were received,<br>•    Round 2-May 2021 in which one (1) application was received, <br>•    Round 3-May 2022 in which three (3) applications were received, and <br>•    Round 4-May 2024 in which nine (9) applications were received.<br><br>This sixth Substantial Amendment includes a recommendation to allocate approximately $26,602.54 in remaining CDBG-CV funds as additional funding to eligible existing community (public) service projects. This recommendation is subject to revision or rescission if any factor is identified that would render a project ineligible for CDBG-CV funding.<br><br>Advertisements (in English and Spanish) and a notice announcing the public hearing and public comment period were distributed through a variety of channels beginning the week of December 15, 2025, including newspapers of general circulation (The Villager, Austin American-Statesman, and El Mundo), electronic and physical mailings, social media, County websites, and the six Travis County Community Centers.<br><br>The Public Comment Draft of the proposed Substantial Amendment, along with a summary document in English and Spanish, remains available on the Travis County CDBG website throughout the public comment period. <br><br>The attached PowerPoint serves as both the summary of substantial amendments to the PY19-23 Consolidated Plan and PY19 Action Plan and a draft of the presentation for the February 10 public hearing.    <br>