If funds are awarded, they will be utilized as part of the city’s Home Repair program, identified in Georgetown’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan as a policy to “preserve existing housing stock that contributes to affordability.”
The funds would then go toward the ongoing preservation and rehabilitation efforts of the San Jose and Track Ridge Grasshopper neighborhoods. The small area plans for both historic communities were also passed by council March 22.
If the grant application is approved, the city would seek help from Habitat for Humanity.
Since 2005, the city of Georgetown has been awarded $2,343,479 in CDBG funds. Projects vary from sidewalk improvements on 18th St., Maple St. and 3rd St., infrastructure for the townhomes at 502 West 21st St. and several wastewater lines within city limits.
Documents provided by the city state that Williamson County was awarded Entitlement County Status by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2003. As such, the county applies for and administers Community Development Block Grant funds to participating cities, such as Georgetown.
All allocated funds must be used for projects that meet at least one of the following objectives:
• Benefit low to moderate-income persons (below 80% Area Median Income). Abused children, elderly persons, battered spouses, homeless persons, adults meeting Bureau of Census’ definition of severely disabled persons, illiterate adults, persons living with AIDS, and migrant farmworkers qualify as Limited Clientele.
• Eliminate slums and/or blight.
• Address an urgent community development need having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to health or welfare of the community for which other funding is not available.
Neighborhood rehabilitation efforts must begin on or before October 2022.
