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Presentation, discussion, and possible action on the 2026 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program State Plan and Awards
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (the Department) develops and submits a State Plan to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USHHS) each year to administer the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP);
WHEREAS, the Board approved a draft 2026 LIHEAP State Plan (the Plan) on April 10, 2025, which was then made available for public comment and that public comment is addressed in Attachment A; and
WHEREAS, the final 2026 LIHEAP State Plan includes the awards to subrecipients of 2026 LIHEAP funds as recommended through the Previous Participation Review and Approval Process (PPRAP) in Attachment B;
NOW, therefore, it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the Executive Director or his designee are hereby authorized, empowered, and directed, for and on behalf of this Board to submit the Plan to USHHS and upon USHSS approval of such Plan to contract for the awards represented in the Plan and in connection therewith to execute, deliver, and cause to be performed such amendments, documents, and other writings such as anticipated grant guidance on development of the Plan from USHHS or to make such decision and non-substantive technical corrections as they or any of them may deem necessary or advisable to effectuate the foregoing.
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BACKGROUND
The Department develops and submits a LIHEAP Plan each year on or before September 1 to USHHS. The draft, approved by the Board on April 10, 2025, was released for public comment. The public comment period was open from April 25, 2025, to May 21, 2025, and four public hearings were held at four locations throughout the state May 13-15, 2025. Public comment was received and a summary of this comment with a Department response is provided in Attachment A.
It should be noted that the Plan follows a template and series of required responses pre-determined by USHHS with character limitations and specific instructions. Also, the Plan has yet to be reviewed and approved by USHHS. In its review, it is common for USHHS to request corrections to the Plan. Staff recommends approval for staff to make such required changes to ensure USHHS approval.
The Previous Participation Rule (10 TAC, Chapter 1, Subchapter C, §1.302) requires a review of LIHEAP awards prior to recommendation to the Board. These LIHEAP awards are subject to this review and are listed in Attachment B. The review has been performed and all awards in Attachment B are recommended for award with no conditions, except for South Texas Development Council and Tri-County Community Action which are recommended for award with the following conditions:
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Agency |
Condition |
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South Texas Development Council (STDC) |
South Texas Development Council is required to provide all documentation relating to the FYE 2023 Single Audit and FYE 2024 Single Audit on or before September 30, 2025. The compliance Single Audit must also be uploaded to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC), with confirmation provided to the Department. Depending on the results of that Single Audit, the Department may impose additional conditions upon the Contract in accordance with 2 CFR §200.207. Additionally, STDC is notified that failure to complete this condition may serve as good cause under 10 TAC §1.411(f) for nonrenewal or reduction of block grant funds. |
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Tri-County Community Action |
Tri-County Community Action is required to provide all documentation relating to the FYE 2023 Single Audit on or before September 30, 2025. The compliance Single Audit must also be uploaded to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC), with confirmation provided to the Department. Depending on the results of that Single Audit, the Department may impose additional conditions upon the Contract in accordance with 2 CFR §200.207. Additionally, Tri-County Community Action is notified that failure to complete this condition may serve as good cause under 10 TAC §1.411(f) for nonrenewal or reduction of block grant funds. |