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Community Development Block Grant

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Activities & Objectives

CDBG funds may be used for a wide variety of activities that address the need for new or improved public improvements and facilities, economic development opportunities, improving the supply of housing or condition of housing, and public services.  Here are some examples:

• Acquisition of land and/or buildings.
• Installation or construction of a public facility – city parks; reconstruction of streets; community buildings; senior centers.
• Housing services in support of the HOME program.
• Homeownership assistance – down payment or mortgage interest subsidy.
• Employment training.
• Crime prevention
• Child care.
• Health and drug abuse care and education.

All CDBG activities must meet eligibility criteria and meet one of three following National Objectives:

1. Benefit low and moderate income persons;
2. Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; or
3. Meet a need having a particular urgency (urgent need).

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Citizens Advisory Committee

An Advisory Board comprised of ten citizens of the city is appointed by the City Commissioners and Mayor.  This Advisory Board gives the city commission recommendations on funds allocations for each year.  Here are the current Advisory Board members:

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Current Allocations

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides annual grants to States, larger cities, and counties for a broad range of activities that preserve and develop viable urban communities.  The program’s principal beneficiaries are low-income households.  The goals of the program are to:

• Provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing,
• Provide a suitable living environment, and to
• Expand economic opportunities.

Since the City of San Benito is a central city of a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), San Benito is an entitlement community and is eligible to receive CDBG funds.  The following table will show the amounts granted in prior years:

*These amounts are reflective of the current five year Consolidated Plan (2000-2004).  The city actually received an amount of $3,297,000 over the five year period.  The city has just completed year number five of its five year plan and has commence year number one of the new five year plan (2005-2009).  The city utilizes a citizen participation plan and consultation with other organizations to identify local needs and priorities to prepare this comprehensive Consolidated Plan, furthermore, the city was also part of a regional plan with other entitlement communities in Cameron and Hidalgo County.  Each year the city prepares an Annual Action Plan with addresses each year of the Five Year Consolidated Plan.

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Current Projects

Here are the current CDBG Allocations for fiscal year October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006:

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2006 Proposed Projects

(Total CDBG funds for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 will be $518,372.  First Public Hearing and funding application requests will be available beginning February 3, 2006 at 7 P.M. at the San Benito Community Building – 210 E. Heywood.)

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Other Links

      U S Department of Housing & Urban Development

      Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

      http://www.fhlb.com

Last revised: January 25, 2006