Receive public input on a draft of the substantial amendments to the CDBG PY2019, PY2021, PY2022, and PY2023 Action Plans, 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 Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. § 5301), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons. Travis County has received annual CDBG allocations since 2006.<br id="isPasted">Travis County has approximately $685,443 in unexpended CDBG cost savings from prior program years. The Travis County CDBG Office proposes multiple substantial amendments to reallocate these unspent cost savings to one or more of the following eligible projects: 1) the Creedmoor R.O.W. Improvements Project (a project originally placed in the PY25 Action Plan),  2) a Septic System-focused/Home Rehabilitation Program, 3) the Cardinal Hills Estates R.O.W. Improvements Project as needed, or 4) other county projects that are eligible for CDBG funds, are within the County’s CDBG/HOME service area, and that meet a national objective.<br><br>The CDBG Office is substantially amending the PY2019, PY2021, PY2022, and PY2023 Action Plans as a proactive, multi-year approach to ensure the efficient expenditure of CDBG funds within the Travis County CDBG Service Area. Prior to the 2025 federal government shutdown, the HUD San Antonio Regional Field Office informed Travis County that issuance of the PY25 grant agreement was at risk due to multiple years of not meeting the timeliness standard. To maintain continuity of PY24 and PY25 community development projects, this approach utilizes unspent cost savings from prior program years. If successful, Travis County anticipates resuming receipt of its annual CDBG allocation in PY26.<br><br>As part of this effort, the Travis County CDBG Office notes that it has historically adhered to focusing on high-priority projects specified in each five-year Consolidated Plan, regardless of the project types proposed or requested during the consolidated planning period. As a result of the County’s untimeliness in recent program years, HUD assigned a technical assistance consultant to work with the County’s CDBG/HOME Office to identify strategies to address timeliness. One primary focus of this technical assistance effort has been to identify eligible CDBG needs within the County’s CDBG/HOME service area that are not currently being met.<br><br>Because the substantial amendment timeframe for the PY2019–PY2023 Consolidated Planning Period is now complete, and there are prior-year funds that must be expended before August 1, 2026, the County has included “other eligible CDBG projects” as an option for the use of unspent funds from this planning period. In accordance with 24 CFR Part 91 and the County’s Citizen Participation Plan, the County is required to inform the public of any proposed changes to how CDBG funds may be used during the public engagement period. The proposal outlined here