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Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding authorization to reissue a Notice of Funding Availability for the 2024 Reentry Activities Pilot Program funded with Community Services Block Grant Discretionary funds
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
WHEREAS, Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds are awarded annually to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (the Department) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USHHS);
WHEREAS, the Department reserves 90% of the allotment for CSBG eligible entities to provide services/assistance to the low-income population in all 254 counties; up to 5% for state administration expenses; and the remaining amount for state discretionary use;
WHEREAS, at the Board meeting of June 15, 2023, the Department established a set aside of $1,775,000 for 2024 and 2025 CSBG Discretionary (CSBG-D) activities in the 2024-2025 CSBG State Plan, including $400,000 per year towards a Reentry Assistance Pilot Program, which will allow nonprofit and local government organizations with established experience in serving the reentry population to assist previously incarcerated individuals obtain rental housing through landlord incentives, payment of security deposits, and other reentry activities related to housing;
WHEREAS, at the Board meeting of July 27, 2023, the Board authorized staff to release a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for 2024 CSBG-D funds seeking organizations with experience in serving the reentry population and are able to administer projects focused on mitigating barriers to securing safe and stable housing for previously incarcerated individuals;
WHEREAS, after release of the NOFA and after scoring of the applications received along with award recommendations, an appeal to the Executive Director and then to the Board was made by an applicant regarding a disagreement with categorization of costs within the NOFA;
WHEREAS, staff notified the appellant that it wo...
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