Council approved the town’s allocation, worth $273,152, along with an annual action plan and 5-year consolidated plan at its Aug. 4 meeting.
The overview
Funding for the Community Development Block Grant, CDBG, program comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. To receive the funds, town officials are required to file an annual action plan outlining projects and maintain a consolidated plan, per town documents.
Melissa Demmitt, the town’s communications director, said officials have prioritized preserving and rehabilitating an aging housing stock and addressing the town’s lack of public transit that affects seniors and residents.
“To address these needs, the Town has developed a five-year strategy that focuses on residential infrastructure and services for those of low-to moderate-income, especially seniors and adults with disabilities,” Demmitt said in an email.
Based on the annual action plan, the town plans to spend the funds on three items:
- A housing rehabilitation program, which will receive $228,082
- A town-wide transit program for elderly residents over 65 years old or adults with disabilities, which will get $40,973
- Program administration costs, which has been allocated $4,097
With the housing rehabilitation program, officials hope to cover the cost for three homes for low- to moderate-income residents, per the plan. The program covers up to $60,000 in repairs, according to town documents.
For the transportation initiative, town officials plan to subsidize the cost of transit with the federal funds, dipping into general fund dollars as needed, according to the plan. Flower Mound is expected to contract Special Programs for Aging Needs for the service.
What else?
When developing the action plan, town officials host at least two public hearings annually and a public comment period lasting 30 business days, Demmitt said. When the town also updates the consolidated plan, an additional public hearing is held in addition to a longer public comment period.
To develop the plan, the town utilizes a 12-member Community Development Advisory Committee, which is made up of town employees from several departments, the town manager and chief financial officer, Demmitt added.
“The town consults with a number of individuals, residents and employees, agencies, and service providers to help establish priorities for CDBG funding,” Demmitt said.
