17. • Health & Human ServicesTravis County (Travis County)

Consider and take appropriate action to approve the Program Year 2025 (PY25) HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) Match Funding Cooperative Agreement between the Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC) and Travis County. (Judge Brown & Commissioner Gómez)

Presented in: Travis County Commissioners Court Voting Session on 2026-03-24

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Under the provisions of Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 USC 5301), the Federal government sponsors a program that provides annual grants to cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, by expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons. Under the provisions of Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (42 USC 12703), the purposes of this Act are: (1) To help families not owning a home to save for a down payment for the purchase of a home; (2) To retain wherever feasible as housing affordable to low-income families those dwelling units produced for such purpose with Federal assistance; (3) to extend and strengthen partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations, in the production and operation of housing affordable to low-income and moderate-income families; (4) To expand and improve Federal rental assistance for very low-income families; and (5) To increase the supply of supportive housing, which combines structural features and services needed to enable persons with special needs to live with dignity and independence. Travis County has been a recipient of HOME funds since 2024. Program Year 2025 represents the County’s second grant year receiving and accepting HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program funds as an urban county entitlement. For PY25, Travis County was awarded $478,126.94 in HOME funds. The Travis County Commissioners Court approved the PY25 HOME Grant Agreement on January 6, 2026, and the agreement was fully executed by HUD on January 8, 2026. The Travis County CDBG-HOME Office will utilize HOME funds to provide down payment and closing cost assistance to help make homeownership attainable and affordable for households earning between 50% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA. As required under 24 CFR 92.218(c), participating jurisdictions must provide an annual 25% non-federal match for HOME funds expended on eligible activities. The match requirement applies only to funds used for eligible activities and excludes administrative and planning costs pursuant to 24 CFR 92.207. To meet this requirement, the Travis County CDBG-HOME Office partnered with the Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC). On March 5, 2026, following a presentation by County staff, the HATC Board of Commissioners approved a one-year 25% match funding amount and cooperative agreement in the amount of $89,648.81, as required under 24 CFR 92.218(c). The funding agreement was drafted by the Travis County Attorney’s Office and reviewed prior to HATC Board approval. Execution of the match funding agreement will occur following Commissioners Court approval. The transfer of funds will be coordinated between