The Consolidated Plan and Annual Action plan are requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that cities must prepare in order to receive federal monetary assistance from HUD programs. The Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive strategy developed by the community addressing the affordable housing and community development needs present within the community. Ultimately, the Consolidated Plan will be used to implement the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program over the course of the next five years.
The Annual Action Plan approved by the City Council on July 28, 2020, and included as a section in the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, reflected the following activities to be undertaken for fiscal year October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021.
Home Repair / Rehabilitation $360,589
Public Service Agency Funding $65,398
Administration $10,000
In addition, the City Council allocated $256,000 in Community Development Block Grant-coronavirus (CDBG-CV) relief funds to Public Service Activities in the Annual Action Plan.
However, since that time HUD has released additional guidelines regarding the use of CDBG-CV funds and another allotment of funds, thus making it necessary to amend the plans to include the programing of the additional CDBG-CV funds. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116-136) (CARES Act) makes available CDBG-CV funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. As part of the CARES Act, HUD has allocated a total of $672,286 to the City for its CDBG-CV program. It should be noted that the $672,286 includes the original $256,000 allocated in July.
Responsive to perceived public need, the City of Allen has established program objectives and criteria for its federal CARES Act programs. CDBG-CV funds will be allocated with program guidelines released through HUD as outlined in Attachment 1.
The public comment period was advertised and conducted accordance with the City of Allen's Citizen Participation Plan as amended, Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 373 and the waivers of HUD program regulatory requirements to help prevent, prepare and/or respond to COVID-19. These waivers allow jurisdictions to reduce the 30-day comment period to no less than 5 days to receive public comment. The City made every effort to continue the community input process while observing social distancing protocols during COVID-19.
A presentation and formal opportunity for comment were offered at the following times.
- Online Zoom Meeting on Tuesday January 19, 2021, at 3 p.m.
- A second public hearing will be held before the City Council at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 in conjunction with this item.
Copies of the draft amendments were also made available for public review and comment at the following locations from January 14, 2021, through January 26, 2021:
- City of Allen Web Site: www.CityofAllen.org/CDBG
- In person, by appointment only, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F in the Community Enhancement Office located on the 1st Floor of City Hall.
As of the date of drafting this report no comments have been received.
A summary of the Amended 2020-2021 budget is listed in the Budgetary Impact section.