City's Housing Department Seeks Input for Federally Funded Programming for 5-year Consolidated Plan

The City of Austin Housing Department invites community members to help guide a new five-year plan to invest housing and community development dollars where they are needed most. As required by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), a community needs assessment is conducted each year to ensure that federal funding meets the needs of Austin’s low and moderate-income residents.  

In FY 2023-2024, the City received approximately $14 million in HUD annual grants to support programs for affordable housing, community development, economic development, and public services. This year, the Housing Department will expand the community needs assessment so that programming funded by local dollars can also benefit from the community’s feedback. The expanded process to collect feedback on community needs to guide the next five years of funding begins on February 5 and runs through March 15. The public can participate online at www.SpeakUpAustin.com/MyCommunityNeeds. Input may be submitted until 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15. The City will gather feedback and submit the consolidated plan to HUD in August 2024.  

Additional Ways to Give Input

Please include a name, address, and phone number when submitting comments:  

• Mail to: Housing Department Attn: FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Plan P.O. Box 1088 Austin, Texas 78767. Visit your local library to pick up a paper copy of the survey.  
• Email: Housing@austintexas.gov  
• Phone: Call the Housing Department at 512-974-3155
• Text: To receive the survey questions on your mobile device, text MyCommunity to 73224

Participate in public hearings, either in-person or remotely, at the following meetings:

• 10:00 AM Thursday, March 7, 2024: Austin City Council
• 6:30 PM Tuesday, March 12, 2024: Community Development Commission  

Comments can be made in person or remotely at both meetings. Review instructions for participating in public comment: www.SpeakUpAustin.com/MyCommunityNeeds. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please call (512) 974-2210 OR (512) 974-2445 TDD

HUD Funding Background

The City of Austin receives federal funding through four grants administered by HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). The 5-Year Consolidated Plan allocates federal resources to housing and community development and serves as an application for funding through these four grants. Programs are funded across several City departments including renter help, homebuyer and homeowner assistance, mental health support, childcare, senior services, housing and community development support, and homelessness assistance.

An annual Action Plan is developed each year to guide the implementation of those dollars received through the four HUD grants. As a wrap-up to each year, a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) evaluates the performance and activity of federally funded programming. Community feedback on these guiding plans occurs annually through the Action Plan and CAPER to help shape programs that meet community needs. This year, 2024, kicks off the next five years of the Consolidated Plan framework.

To learn more about how these dollars have been invested in the past and the factors that drive funding decisions, visit www.SpeakUpAustin.com/MyCommunityNeeds.