ORDINANCE approving and authorizing the City of Houston to submit the 2021 Annual Action Plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the following 2021 grant applications and budgets: 1) 47th Program Year Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $24,822,902.00 (which amount includes $157,395.00 in Program Income); 2) Home Investment Partnerships Grant in the amount of $10,432,721.00 (which amount includes $126,543.00 in Program Income); 3) Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Grant in the amount of $10,884,807.00; and 4) Emergency Solutions Grant in the amount of $2,105,548.00; and to accept funds from the aforementioned grants, if awarded

The Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing the following:

1. The submission of the 2021 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which includes an application for the following entitlement grants to be received from HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships Grant (HOME), the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Grant (HOPWA), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program funds. The application estimates a total of $47,962,040.00 in federal funds and $283,938.00 in Program Income to benefit income-eligible residents during HUD Program Year 2021 (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022);

    

2. The execution of the Agreements between the City of Houston (City) and HUD for the entitlement grants by the Mayor, or the Mayor’s designee; and

    

3. The execution of related forms and documents for the entitlement grants by the Mayor, or the Mayor’s designee.

    

Funding priorities include affordable home development, supportive services, infrastructure and neighborhood facilities, and economic development. The goal of the Annual Action Plan is to promote strategies that 1) preserve and expand the supply of affordable housing, 2) expand homeownership opportunities, 3) provide assistance to persons affected by HIV/AIDS, 4) reduce homelessness, 5) improve quality of life, 6) revitalize communities, 7) promote health and safety, 8) foster community economic development, and 9) promote fair housing. The format and information presented in the 2021 Annual Action Plan are based on federal guidance and requirements. The 2021 Annual Action Plan is the second Annual Action Plan of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan.

HCDD recommends that the City’s allocation of $24,665,507.00 in CDBG funds and $157,395.00 in projected Program Income be distributed among the following categories:

 HCDD recommends that the City’s allocation of $10,306,178.00 in HOME funds and $126,543.00 of projected Program Income be distributed among the following categories:

HCDD recommends to fund $10,884,807.00 in HOPWA activities for the 2021-2022 Program Year as follows:

HCDD solicited public input in the development of the 2021 Annual Action Plan. HCDD also developed and distributed written information on these federal grants and sponsored four public hearings (two in the fall and two in the spring) in the Houston area.

As stipulated by federal regulations and in conformity with the Citizen Participation Plan, residents had 30 days to comment on the proposed 2021 Annual Action Plan before it is approved by City Council. The 30-day review period extended from March 17, 2020 through April 16, 2020.

No fiscal note is required for grant items. 

This item was reviewed by the Housing and Community Affairs Committee on March 23, 2021.

___________________________________________

Tom McCasland, Director

$48,245,978.00 (to be received)

Federal Government – Grant Fund

Fund 5000

Roxanne Lawson

Phone: (832) 394-6307