Blanco Gardens was the San Marcos neighborhood hardest hit by the 2015 flooding.
San Marcos is seeking input from residents through June 4 to assess interest in the reimbursement program. According to the city's website, the proposed program would award eligible residents up to $50,000 or 50% of the 2015 value of their home in eligible repair expenses.
The proposed qualifications, according to the city's website, that would determine residents' eligibility to participate in the potential reimbursement program are as follows:
- The resident must have been the owner of record prior to May 23, 2015 and/or October 30, 2015, and continues to be the owner of record throughout the grant compliance period;
- The unit must be located in the city of San Marcos’ updated 100-year flood plain in Blanco Gardens;
- The applicant’s annual household income must be less than 80% of area median income for the appropriate household size for the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area
- The applicant must be current on their property taxes, mortgage, and child support, and must be a U.S. citizen or hold legal alien status;
- Second homes and outbuildings not integral to the residence are not eligible for reimbursement;
- Residents must provide photos of the flood damage, documentation of work performed, and receipts, invoices or bank statements showing the financial totals of repairs and must not have received previous reimbursement for the claimed expenses.
The city will host community meetings regarding the potential reimbursement program at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. May 23 at the Old Fish Hatchery, located at 201 N. CM Allen Pkwy. Residents will have a chance to provide feedback at the meetings or through an online survey.
According to the website, after gathering community input, city staff will present CDBG-DR Amendment No. 8—which would establish the reimbursement program—to San Marcos City Council for consideration and possible approval at its June 3 meeting. If the amendment is approved, it will then be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for consideration.
Residents can pick up a copy of the amendment after May 21 at the San Marcos Library, located at 625 E. Hopkins St. as well as at the City Planning & Development Services office and the Community Development Block Grant Office—both of which are located at 630 E. Hopkins St.
