2021 CDBG AND HOME PROGRAMS PLANNING PUBLIC NOTICE

March 29, 2021

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs. The City of Galveston will receive a funding allocation of $1,166,618 in CDBG and $246,705 in HOME for the 2021 Program Year of June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022. The primary purpose of the CDBG Program is to provide funds to develop, enhance, and preserve viable urban communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, primarily for the benefit of low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons. The primary purpose of the HOME Program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary affordable housing for very low-income persons, with primary attention to rental housing for very low- and low-income families.

The City of Galveston is in its planning and development process and will apply to HUD for the 2021 Allocations for City Department implemented activities to primarily benefit the low-moderate income population that meet its 2019 5-Year Consolidated Plan Priority Needs as follows:

• Affordable housing for LMI homebuyers;
• Affordable housing through Tenant-Based Rental Assistance for LMI households;
• Affordable housing services to support LMI homeownership, TBRA, and other housing activities;
• Code enforcement and lot clearance and demolition in deteriorated LMI areas;
• Infrastructure enhancement to residential neighborhoods in LMI areas;
• Installation and improvement of parks and public facilities in LMI areas;
• Public and supportive services to primarily LMI residents; and
• CDBG and HOME project management

The City’s low-moderate income target area is primarily located in the residential areas within 6th to 61st Streets from Harborside (6th-29th St.) and Avenue E (29th-61st St.) to Seawall (6th-45th St.) and Avenue S (45th-61st St.) and west of 61st to 74th Streets from Ave. P ½/Heards Ln. to Stewart Rd./Jones Dr.

The involvement of citizens is vital to the development of sound and stable communities. The City of Galveston provides citizens with an opportunity to participate in the planning, implementation, and assessment of the Consolidated Planning Process. Citizens are urged to submit any comments or suggestions regarding proposed projects meeting the previously listed priority needs for the 2021 Consolidated Program Year to the Grants & Housing Department by email to Grants@galvestontx.gov or by telephone at (409) 797-3820 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Comments will be received until 5 p.m. on April 9, 2021.

Click here to download the 2019 Consolidated Plan Executive Summary. 

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain

March 30, 2021

To:  All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that the City of Galveston has determined that the following proposed action under the HUD Community Development Block Grant-CV Program B-20-MW-48-0016 is located in the 100-year floodplain, and the City of Galveston will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action in the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The City Parks & Recreation Dept. will provide improvements to the Wright-Cuney Park and Recreation Center to retrofit the systems and facilities for COVID-19 to allow for more safe usage of the facilities for Parks & Recreation programs and open activities. These retrofits would focus on improvements that would help reduce the potential for the airborne transmission and surface spread and allow for social distancing measures. Improvements will be targeted for park exterior installments of facilities to assist in social distancing and center interior upgrades and installments to assist in social distancing and the reduction in airborne transmission and surface spread. The area is located in FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps # 48167C0441G dated 8/15/2019. The total project area is 1.7906 acres of floodplains in Zone AE with elevation at 11 feet. The proposed project is located in the City of Galveston, Galveston County.

There are three primary purposes for this notice.  First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts.  Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by the City of Galveston at the address listed above on or before April 14, 2021 to the Attention of the Environmental Officer. Comments may also be submitted via email to Grants@galvestontx.gov. 

Click here to download a  full description of the project.