The City of Austin has opened the public comment period on the draft FY 2020-21 Annual Action Plan which describes how approximately $13 million in federal grants funding will be spent for affordable housing, community development, homelessness services, public services, and economic development activities.
The draft FY 2020-21 Action Plan describes community needs, resources, and priorities for funding through four grant programs received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).
The public comment period is in accordance with the City of Austin’s Citizen Participation Plan as amended, (Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 373) and with HUD program waivers of certain regulatory requirements to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The draft FY 2020-21 Action Plan was informed by a public comment period in April which identified community’s needs and helped set priorities for FY 2020-21 federal funding. Public input was received and considered while outlining the draft plan through a public hearing before Austin City Council on April 23, 2020, through a SpeakUp Austin website, and comments received via email at NHCD@austintexas.gov. Additional feedback and input opportunities through NHCD’s main phone line, and postal mail were offered to the community as sources for providing input as well.
The comment period continues to be conducted in accordance with federal waivers for citizen participation requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic that allow jurisdictions to reduce the 30-day minimum for the required public comment period to no less than 5 days to receive public comment and determine what is reasonable notice and opportunity for the public to provide comment on the FY 2020-21 Annual Action Plan. The City is making every effort to continue the community input process while observing social distancing protocols during COVID-19.
Opportunities to Review and Provide Feedback on Draft FY 2020-21 Action Plan
The public is invited to review the draft FY 2020-21 Action Plan until Saturday, August 15, 2020. It is also available for review and comment on the SpeakUp Austin website until Saturday, August 15, 2020.
Public Hearing Before the Austin City Council
The public is invited to provide input during the special videoconferencing meeting of the Austin City Council on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Meeting instructions for providing public comment during the virtual public hearing can be found on the meeting agenda on the City Council Meeting Information Center website. Community members must sign up by noon the day before the meeting in order to provide public comment.
Provide Feedback Via Email, Online, or Postal Mail:
Written comments may be submitted until 5 p.m. on August 15, 2020. Please include a name, address, and phone number:
Submit Online:
The SpeakUp Austin website from Saturday, August 15, 2020.
Submit by Postal Mail:
Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department
Attn: City of Austin FY 2020-21 draft Action Plan
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767
Submit by Email:
NHCD@austintexas.gov
Subject Heading: City of Austin FY 2020-21 draft Action Plan