DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Ver?nica R. Soto, FAICP, Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Substantial Amendment #1 to the FY 2021 HUD Action Plan and Budget (CDBG Reprogramming)
SUMMARY:
Ordinance authorizing Substantial Amendment #1 to the FY 2021 HUD Action Plan and Budget to reprogram Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in an amount not to exceed $4,875,000 set aside for Affordable Rental and Homeownership Housing Development to the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On August 13, 2020, City Council approved the $22.4 million FY 2021 HUD Action Plan and Budget (Action Plan) for the four federal grant programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A federal entitlement municipality adjusting the adopted action plan budget by 10% or more, requires a substantial amendment process that includes a public notice, a 30-day public comment period and a public hearing prior to any City Council action. However, the CARES Act reduced the public comment period to not less than 5 days and allows for virtual public hearings when necessary for public health reasons. Staff issued a public notice in the San Antonio Express News in both English and Spanish on October 23, 2020 initiating the public comment period which will run through October 28, 2020. A virtual public hearing was held on October 28, 2020 at 5:00 pm.
ISSUE:
In an effort to assist vulnerable populations at risk of homelessness during COVID-19, staff recommends approval of the reprogramming of $4,875,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding set aside for affordable housing development gap funding ($3,250,000 for rental housing development and $1,625,000 for homeownership housing development) to the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP).
EHAP is delivered by the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department. CDBG funding...
Click here for full text