Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
Federal Agency:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Total National Funding Provided in the Recovery Act:
$1,000,000,000
Modeled After This Existing Program:
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
Supplemental TDHCA Amount:
$48,148,071
Texas State CSBG Recovery Act Plan (PDF)
A State public hearing was held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, to accept public comment on the Proposed Texas State CSBG Recovery Act Plan. Public comments were received, and as appropriate, modifications to the proposed plan were made. Attached is the Texas State CSBG Recovery Act Plan submitted May 28, 2009, to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for their review and approval.
Program Background and Specifics:
- CSBG assists local Community Action Agencies (CAA) and other eligible entities serving all 254 Texas counties to provide local essential services to those living in poverty.
- Activities typically allowed under the program include:
- Administrative support for poverty programs, such as Head Start, Weatherization Assistance and Meals on Wheels;
- Direct services such as credit counseling, short-term rental assistance and transportation.
- Activities should create sustainable economic resources in communities, including innovative employment related services and activities toward the reform goals of the Recovery Act.
- The Recovery Act increases the income limit for the population that may be served from 125% to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- The Recovery Act allows for States to reserve one percent of the funds for benefits enrollment coordination activities relating to the identification and enrollment of eligible individuals and families in Federal, State, and local benefit programs.
Timeline:
- HHS published guidance on the CSBG Recovery Act funds on April 10, 2009.
- The FY 2009 Plan for Recovery Act funds is due to HHS on May 29, 2009.
- Services must be provided on or before September 30, 2010.
Program Resources:
- The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (the Department) held three public input sessions on the following topics related to the Recovery Act: Weatherization Assistance Program; Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program; and the Community Services Block Grant Program. Transcripts in PDF format are provided:
- The Department's CSBG Web page
- HHS CSBG State Information Memorandum with guidance on application procedures, spending and reporting requirements: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/csbg/guidance/im109.html
- HHS CSBG Recovery Act Web site: www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/acf/csbg.html
- HHS Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Recovery Act Web page (http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/acf/csbg.html)
- A public hearing specific to the Texas State Recovery Act Plan will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (room 116) 221 E. 11th, Austin, Texas. Written comments may be provided to the Community Services Section of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs by no later than close of business May 22, 2009.
Disclaimer: The TDHCA estimates are based on an initial analysis of ARRA and other sources and do not take into account federal rules, which may be developed by the respective federal agency responsible for these funds, and may have a direct bearing on the amount of funds made available to TDHCA and Texas. TDHCA has attempted to use existing formulas as a basis for establishing estimates of the amount of funds however the Department believes that significant adjustments will be made that will have either positive or negative impact on the final funding amounts.