San Marcos works to allocate $740K housing and community grant

City staff identified high-priority project areas for San Marcos, including affordable housing, public services and public facilities.

Projects and programs selected to receive funding from the grant are required to serve those earning a low to moderate income or must “eliminate slum or blight,” according to agenda documents.

Selected projects must have a direct or area benefit:

• Direct benefit: Those impacted have an annual income less than 80% of the area’s median income.
• Area benefit: The project serves a primarily residential area where at least 51% of residents have an annual income less than 80% of the area’s median income.

Looking back

“In San Marcos specifically, [the grant] has been used for a number of things,” Floyd said. “Some of our concepts for housing here in San Marcos are used for housing repair, park upgrades, major ADA sidewalk updates [and] social services.”

The application period for grant recipients was open from Feb. 1 to March 2. Eligible applicants for the HUD Community Development Block Grant include:

• Public or private nonprofit agencies
• Public housing authorities
• Churches or other religious institutions
• Counties
• School districts
• City of San Marcos departments

Looking ahead

A second public hearing on the grant will be held at an April 7 council meeting, where citizens will have the opportunity to speak regarding needs in the community. City staff will make recommendations for which projects are allocated funding at the meeting.

A 30-day public comment period will be held during the month of May, providing residents with additional time to share existing needs. City Council will officially consider project recipients at a July 7 meeting.