In a nutshell
Laura Montanez, the representative for ECD Community Development Director, Robert Reyna, said that based on a review from the department’s scoring committee, the department recommended funding for 14 projects across three different grant programs.
Montanez said the Community Development Block Grant, CDBG, is designed to develop viable urban communities and expand economic opportunities for low-to-moderate income people.
CDBG eligible activities:
- Infrastructure
- Public facility improvements
- Investments in public services
“The CDBG grant is our largest federal program, and our team utilizes these funds to develop viable urban communities, and expand economic opportunity for low and moderate income individuals with an unincorporated Bexar County and the 14 participating cities,” Montanez said.
The second grant, known as the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, is used to develop and expand the supply of affordable housing.
HOME eligible activities:
- Construction of new housing
- Rehabilitation of existing units
- Demolition of dilapidated structures
“The purpose of the HOME program is to encourage public private partnerships to expand the supply of affordable housing for families earning no more than 80% of the area median income for homeowners and 60% of AMI for renters,” Montanez said. “Eligible funds under home can include construction of new housing, rehabilitation of existing units and demolition of dilapidated structures.”
The third grant is the Emergency Solutions Grant, ESG, which is used to assist individuals, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, regain housing stability.
ESG eligible activities:
- Emergency shelter
- Homeless Management Information System
- Homelessness prevention
- Rapid re-housing
- Street outreach
The final request from the ECD was to reallocate approximately $304,000 in unused funds from the 2023 CDBG to a public works infrastructure project in Precinct 2. Funds will be used for staff salaries and administrative overages.
Breaking it down
Between program years 2024 and 2025, the county will receive over $4 million in funds from HUD.
Stay tuned
According to county documents, all projects have been preliminarily selected and are subject to a 30-day public comment period. The final selection will take place Aug. 5.
