Williamson County, Texas

WILLIAMSON COUNTY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
PROGRAM GUIDELINES and PRIORITIES

FUNDING FOR FY2019 (OCT. 1, 2019 – SEPT. 30, 2020)

Williamson County was awarded Entitlement County status by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)in August 2003. The County applied for and received funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)program. Funds are intended to primarily benefit low- to moderate-income persons in Williamson County. This area is comprised of the unincorporated area of the County and the incorporated cities that have joined the urban County designation. These cities include Cedar Park, Coupland, Georgetown, Granger, Hutto, Jarrell, Leander, Liberty Hill, Taylor, and Weir.

The following information is designed to provide you with a better understanding of activities which can be funded through the Williamson County CDBG program.
Please contact Sally Bardwell, Williamson County Community Development Administrator, for assistance.

512-943-3757
[email protected]

Applications are due by 5pm on May 22, 2019.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

PROJECTS MUST BE DESIGNED TO MEET AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING NATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

• Benefit low to moderate income persons (see income guidelines below) or areas. Abused children, elderly persons, battered spouses, homeless persons, adults meeting Bureau of Census’ definition of severely disabled persons, illiterate adults, persons living with AIDS, and migrant farm workers qualify as Limited Clientele.
• Eliminate slums and/or blight.
• Meet an urgent community development need as in disaster relief.

FUNDING PRIORITIES AND GUIDELINES

• High priorities are those activities that will be considered for funding with CDBG funding during the five-year consolidated plan period of 2019 through 2023 prior to low priority projects.
• Low priorities are those activities that will be considered for funding with CDBG funding during the five-year consolidated plan period of 2019 through 2023 following the consideration of high priorities.
• The County will consider providing certification of consistency and supporting applications submitted by other entities for non-County funds for projects not funded with CDBG funding during the five-year consolidated plan period of 2019 through 2023.

Williamson County Funding Priorities for 2019-2023 Public Facility and Infrastructure Improvements

• Fund non-housing community development proposals that eliminate a threat to public health and safety to include water/sewer projects, drainage projects, sidewalks, and street improvements.
• Fund public facility improvements that benefit low income households and persons, and persons with special needs to include senior centers, neighborhood facilities, youth centers, homeless facilities, childcare centers, parks and recreational facilities. Increase Access to Affordable Housing
• Fund activities that expand the supply and improve the condition of housing affordable to lower income households.
• Fund activities that leverage other public and private resources such as Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects.
• Extend the useful life of existing affordable housing through weatherization, repair, and rehabilitation programs. Decrease Homelessness
• Provide funds to support shelter operations and transitional housing.
• Provide funding to increase permanent supportive housing opportunities and work to create a stronger network of providers of supportive and mainstream services to homeless clients. Public Services
• Fund projects that provide supportive services to low- and moderate-income household as well as persons with special needs.
• Support efforts to develop a regional social service collaborative to coordinate the work of social service organizations, disseminate information, and eliminate duplication of effort. Affirmatively Further Fair Housing
• Support improved access to community resources.
• Continue to operate in compliance with protected class definitions found in federal regulations.

Section Guidelines

1. The project must meet one or more of the three national objectives.
2. The project must be a Consolidated Plan Priority activity.
3. The project or segment of a phased project must be ready to begin when funds become available on or after October 1, 2019 and be completed within one year or a reasonable amount of time.
4. When required, leveraged funds must be available at start of project.
5. Documentation of income eligibility and other demographic information is required.
6. The project sponsor must be able to meet all Williamson County requirements for insurance coverage.