Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

The City of Beaumont's Consolidated Plan is comprised of two Entitlements, which includes the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, and the HOME Affordable Housing (HOME) program.

In General

The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to state and local governments. The CDBG program establishes viable communities through a wide array of activities that help to ensure the commitment to decent affordable housing, create suitable living environments, and create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses. The CDBG program is an important community /economic development tool that helps local governments tackle the serious challenges facing their communities.

CDBG Application Portal (PDF)

The City's Demolition Program is designed to demolish unsafe and unsanitary residential structures that have been deemed substandard. Although owners have an option and a time limit to repair residential structures, a Demolition Consent Form must be signed, in order for the City to demolish the structure at no cost.

Commercial Structures that are deemed dangerous and substandard will be demolished by the City at the expense of the owner, and a lien will be placed on the property. Although owners have an option and a time limit to repair commercial structures, a Demolition Consent Form must be signed, in order for the City to demolish the structure. For further information, please contact the Housing department at 409-880-3762.

Grant Funds are awarded, on a competitive basis, to 501©(3) non-profit organizations in the categories of Public Services and Public Facilities and Improvements. Public Services include a range of services that help primarily low to moderate-income persons. Public Facilities and Improvements include the development, construction, rehabilitation, or installation of buildings or infrastructure provided by the government or owned by a non-profit, and operated to serve the public. Non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for federal funding each year.

Public Participation Plan

Section I. Encouraging Participation

A. The City of Beaumont will encourage public participation from all residents in community development and fair housing decision making by performing the actions below.

1. Advertise Consolidated Plan activities and programs in a newspaper of general circulation, on the city’s website and social media pages.

2. Notification of all community development advisory committee (CDAC) meetings will be posted on the city website.

3. Advertise public meetings scheduled to discuss local fair housing issues and steps that may be taken to support local activities in the promotion of fair housing.

4. Send direct notice to service agencies, organizations, neighborhood associations, and developers that express interest in opportunities to participate in the Consolidated Plan activities and comment periods.

5. Provide an online survey in English and Spanish on the city website in open form for comments to be submitted digitally in addition to the oral comments in person or verbal comments submitted on the phone.

B. The following actions will be taken to encourage participation by low and moderate income households.

1. When possible and at least once annually, conduct public hearings within a low to moderate income neighborhood.

2. Schedule hybrid or virtual public hearings to obtain citizen input on fair housing issues.

3. Maintain a list of interested residents who reside in low to moderate income neighborhoods and notify them of all public hearings and opportunities to comment.

4. Engage civic organizations, neighborhood groups, churches and clubs that serve low to moderate income communities with a quarterly community development newsletter. Partner with them to distribute information on public hearings, comment periods, program information and other community development activities occurring throughout the year.

5. Canvass community events to provide information on upcoming public hearings, programs and comment periods to residents that may live in low to moderate income neighborhoods.

C. To encourage non-English-speaking residents, disabled people and minorities to participate in comment periods for our plans, the following actions will be taken:

1. Promote advertisements in alternate publications, on the City’s website, and with groups that target specific residents, some of whom may reside in low-income areas.

2. Provide interpreters at meetings if needed. Advertise plans, activities and amendments in both Spanish and English. If another significant language minority group exists, staff will attempt to translate advertisements to include that language.

3. Hold public meetings in an ADA accessible facility.

4. Provide a sign-language interpreter if requested.

5. Distribute Community Development newsletters to organizations that assist non- English speaking households and persons with disabilities.

Section II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN

A. The actions below will be taken to receive commentary on the Public Participation Plan.

1. The Public Participation Plan will be available for review during the published comment period. The period will not be less than 15 calendar days.

2. A summary of the plan will be published in a newspaper of general circulation. The summary will include a list of locations where the plan will be available for review.

3. Locations may include city hall, public facilities and the city website. Copies of the plan will be accessible to those in low-income neighborhoods.

4. Upon request, the Public Participation Plan will be in a format accessible to persons with disabilities.

5. All published notices will direct comments to the Community Development Department.

6. The city’s social media site will post announcements regarding the opportunity to comment and direct those comments to be emailed to the Community Development Department.

7. An online survey with open form will be posted on the city website to collect comments on the plan.

B. Amendments to the Public Participation Plan will be published in a newspaper of general circulation. The notice will identify a comment period of not less than 15 days. Comments will be directed to the Community Development Department.

Section III. PUBLIC HEARINGS

A. A minimum of two public hearings will be held to provide information on the different stages of the development process including:

1. Identifying needs for housing and community development

2. Reviewing the proposed use of funds

3. Reviewing the performance of programs

B. The minimum notice for any public hearing will be 7 calendar days. In most circumstances, the notification for hearings will take place at least 15 days before the hearing date. Public notice will be advertised in a newspaper of general circulation. Assessment of Fair Housing public hearings will be posted 45 days before the date of the hearing. Fair Housing Assessment Public Hearings may be held in conjunction with a general public hearing on the Consolidated Plan during City Council meetings but will be posted as a separate agenda item.

C. Translation services will be provided upon request or if it is likely that non-English speaking persons will attend.

D. At least one public hearing to obtain public input will be held prior to the formal publication of the five-year Consolidated Plan.

Section IV. OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMENT ON THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN

A. The following information regarding the Consolidated Plan is made available to the public before the final approval of the plan.

1. The amount of assistance expected to be available to the jurisdiction for community development activities.

2. A list of activities proposed to be included in the Consolidated Plan.

3. The estimated amount of funding that will benefit low and moderate-income residents.

B. The Consolidated Plan will be available to the public for review and comments.

1. A summary of the Consolidated Plan will be published in a newspaper of general circulation. Additional notices of the plan’s availability will be distributed using the city website, social media pages and Community Development Newsletter.

2. The summary and additional notices will include information on the 30-day comment period including dates, plan locations and where to direct comments and questions.

3. Locations where the Consolidated Plan may be reviewed may include: the Community Development office, local libraries, community centers, and other public facilities. Most locations will be in areas where at least 51% of the residents are low to moderate income. The plan will also be published on the City’s website.

4. All locations where the plan can be reviewed will be accessible to persons with disabilities.

5. Any comments made will be considered and a summary will be prepared and included in the plan. If there are comments that are not accepted, reasons will be provided.

C. When substantial amendments to our Consolidated Plan are needed, these changes will go before the City Council for approval. Examples of substantial changes include the following:

1. Any transfer of funds that exceeds 10% of the total grant allocation for the fiscal year in which the activity was funded

2. Cancellation of a planned activity

3. Addition of a new activity that was not previously proposed for public review

4. Modification in the scope of activity or primary purpose, such as the intended beneficiary or organizational support

5. Any increase or decrease in a proposed allocation (HUD Grant) that exceeds 1% of the total allocation for the fiscal year

Proposed Amendments will be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least 30 days prior to a request for City Council approval. All comments received will be provided to the council for consideration.

Section V. PERFORMANCE REPORTS

A comment period of at least 15 days will be provided prior to the submission of any performance reports to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. A notice will be run in a newspaper of general circulation. The contents of the notice will advise the public of the availability of the performance report. The notice will also include directions for the submission of comments. Any comments submitted will be summarized with the performance report.

Section VI. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

A. Technical assistance will be provided to all persons or groups representative of persons of low and moderate income who wish to develop an application or proposal for Community Development Block Grant and /or HOME funds. All advertisements will indicate that technical assistance in preparing proposals is available. Residents will also be informed at the public hearings that technical assistance is available. They will be provided with information that includes the contact information of the Community Development department.

Section VII. MEETINGS

All CDAC and city council meetings that will include discussion of Consolidated Plan and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing activities will be subject to a 72-hour notice requirement. Notice of meetings will be posted by the City Clerk at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.

Section VII. ACCESS TO RECORDS

Residents may request access to any non-confidential records regarding the Consolidated Plan and Fair Housing activities. Information from the preceding five years will be available. Those requests may be submitted to the City Clerk’s office via email or in person at City Hall during business hours. Charges for copies will be based on the current City of Beaumont policies under the Open Records Act.

Section XI. COMPLIANT PROCEDURE

Any individual or group who wishes to file a complaint concerning any aspect of the Community Development program may contact the Community Development Department at City Hall, 801 Main Street, Ste 201, Beaumont, TX 77701, 409-980-7270. Complaints may be in writing or made verbally. Staff may request that verbal complaints be repeated for clarification.

Responses to each complaint will be made within 15 working days, where practicable. Complaints received verbally over the phone may receive verbal response over the phone or a meeting may be scheduled to discuss the complaint and response. Documentation of the call or meeting will be kept on file. Some verbal complaints may receive written response via email or mail. Complaints will be reviewed as needed to discuss any changes to program requirements and/or staff administration of programs and activities.