The goal of the Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Program is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, as well as by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low-to-moderate income. In awarding funding pursuant to Government Code Section 487.351(c), the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) shall give priority to eligible activities in the areas of economic development, community development, rural health and rural housing to support workforce development.
The objectives of the TxCDBG Program are to:
- Improve public facilities to meet basic human needs, principally for low-to-moderate income persons;
- Improve housing conditions, principally for persons of low-to-moderate income;
- Expand economic opportunities by creating or retaining jobs, principally for low-to-moderate income persons; and
- Provide assistance and public facilities to eliminate conditions hazardous to the public health and of an emergency nature.
Each proposed activity included in an application for TxCDBG funds must meet one of the U. S. Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) three CDBG National Program Objectives (NPOs):
1. Activities Benefiting Low-to-Moderate Income Persons
a. Low-to-Moderate Income Area Benefit – an activity that benefits all residents of an area that is primarily residential. Low-to-moderate in come is frequently abbreviated as “LMI.”
b. Low-to-Moderate Income Limited Clientele – an activity that provides benefits to a specific group of persons generally presumed to be principally LMI.
c. Low-to-Moderate Income Housing – an activity assisting in the acquisition, construction, or improvement of permanent residential structures may qualify as benefiting LMI persons only to the extent that the housing is occupied by LMI persons.
d. Low-to-Moderate Income Jobs– activity that creates or retains permanent jobs, at least 51 percent of which, on a full time equivalent (FTE) basis, are either held by or available to LMI persons.
2. Prevention / Elimination of Slums or Blight
a. Addressing Slums or Blight on an Area Basis
b. Addressing Slums or Blight on a Spot Basis
3. Urgent Need - Meet other community development need s of particular urgency that represent an immediate threat to the health and safety of residents of the community.
TxCDBG eligible activities include:
- Water System Improvements;
- Wastewater System Improvements;
- Drainage Improvements;
- Housing Rehabilitation;
- Gas System Improvements;
- Road/Street Improvements;
- Fire Protection Facilities;
- Accessibility Improvements to Public Buildings;
- Solid Waste Disposal/Landfills/Transfer Stations;
- Community/Senior/Social Service Centers; and
- Shelters for Persons With Special Needs
None is available.