Garland’s 2012 HUD-related Grant Programs 4/30/12 K.Agee

Our 2^nd quarter WGNA meeting (7 p.m. 4/26/12 at the Christian Church, Lawler @ Jupiter) featured an engaging presentation from the City of Garland’s Housing and Community Services department. Elaine Emmert (Grant Specialist) and Mona Woodard (Dept Mgr) presented the information.

The main focus was on the various grants from the Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency. HUD’s fiscal/budget year begins each year on October 1^st, and ends on Sept 30^th. Following is a summary of the various programs discussed. For more information, click on this link:

http://www.ci.garland.tx.us/gov/hk/hcs or use www.google.com to search for City of Garland Community Services.

Community Development Block Grant (or CDBG)

This is one of HUD’s oldest grant program (established in 1974). The program’s goal is to help low & moderate income people’s living conditions by eliminating blight and other unsafe conditions in their neighborhoods. In practice, the funds can be used to buy run-down property (mostly residential, but can be commercial or public…such as water or sewer lines, roads, sidewalks, etc) and either restore it or demolish it. There is a formula to determine eligibility, and Garland does qualify (we are known as an “entitlement community”). CDGB also has provisions to help individuals such as abused children, battered spouses, the elderly or severely disabled, homeless people, illiterate adults, persons with AIDS, and even certain migrant farm workers.

HOME Investment Partnership Program

 This program was kicked off by HUD in 1990 with the goal of strengthening public-private housing partnerships between units of general local government, public housing authorities, non-profits, and profit entities… all centered around serving the low income folks. In practical terms, it offers down-payment assistance for purchases of single-family homes, and grants for rehab of existing homes or construction of new (single or multi-family) housing. It can also assist renters with their payments.

Emergency Solutions Grant (or ESG)

ESG is currently a moving target. This 2009 program started out with the name “Emergency Shelter Grant”, but has now been expanded into what is called the “Emergency Solutions Grant” program. Its street outreach effort focuses on identifying and helping mentally ill homeless folks with the goal of finding emergency shelter for them, and getting them pointed in the right direction for rehabilitating themselves in terms of financial management and job training. This might also involve connecting them with appropriate medical assistance, including helping with some of the costs involved. HUD chose to release funding in two steps. Garland’s first 2011/2012 allocation was for $91,448 follows the “Shelter Grant” regulations, and the second one is for $51,440 following the “Emergency Solutions” regulation set. The City’s overhead (management) cost is 5% of the whole Shelter Grant program and the rest will be used for Homeless Prevention (30%), Essential Services (30%), and Shelter Operations (35%). The City wants to use 7.5% of the Emergency Solutions program funding for management because of the increased complexity of its requirements. Garland’s Mt Hebron Church and others are contracted providers, so don’t forget that you can also give directly to our City’s trusted charities…