In accordance with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ requirement for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and Texas Government Code, Chapter 2105, Subchapter B, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is opening a public comment period and conducting four public hearings to solicit comments on the Draft 2024 LIHEAP State Plan and Draft 2024-2025 CSBG State Plan.
The CSBG Draft Plan describes the proposed use and distribution of CSBG funds for 2024 and 2025. As federal statute requires, not less than 90% of the CSBG funds will be distributed to the State’s CSBG eligible entities and not more than 5% will be used for state administration, including support for planning, for monitoring, and for the provision of training and technical assistance. The remaining 5% will be utilized to fund state discretionary activities and for disaster assistance recovery.
The LIHEAP Draft Plan describes the proposed use and distribution of LIHEAP funds for 2024. LIHEAP provides funding for the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).
The LIHEAP Draft Plan and CSBG Draft Plan were presented and approved by the TDHCA Governing Board on April 13, 2023. As part of the public information, consultation, and public hearing requirements for LIHEAP and CSBG, the Community Affairs Division of TDHCA has posted the proposed Plans on the TDHCA website.
Please visit the TDHCA Public Comment Center at http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/public-comment.htm to access the Plans. The documents may also be obtained by contacting Rita Gonzales-Garza at [email protected] or by phone at (512) 475-3905.
Public hearings for the LIHEAP Draft Plan and CSBG Draft Plan will be held as follows (all times are Central Time):
- Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Thomas Jefferson Rusk Building, 208 E. 10th Street, Room #320, Austin, TX 78701
- Thursday, May 11, 2023, 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., at BakerRipley, First Floor Education Center, 3838 Aberdeen Way, Houston, TX 77025
- Thursday, May 11, 2023, 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the Andrew “Doc” Session Community Center, 201 S. Sylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76111
- Thursday, May 11, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at West Texas Opportunities, 1415 East 2nd Street, Odessa, TX 79761
At each of the hearings, the LIHEAP Draft Plan and CSBG Draft Plan will be presented for public comment. Persons may provide comment on the Plan either through oral testimony or written testimony. A representative from TDHCA will be present at the hearing to explain the planning process and receive comments from interested citizens and affected groups regarding the Plan.
The public comment period to accept comments regarding the LIHEAP Draft Plan and CSBG Draft Plan will be open from April 28, 2023, through 5 p.m., Central Time, on May 22, 2023. Written comments concerning the Plans may also be submitted to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Attn: Gavin Reid, P.O. Box 13941, Austin, TX 78711-3941, or by email to [email protected]. Comments are due no later than 5 p.m., Central time, May 22, 2023.
Any questions regarding the public comment process may be directed to Rita Gonzales-Garza, Program Specialist, in the Community Affairs Division at (512) 475-3905 or [email protected].
Individuals who require auxiliary aids, services, or sign language interpreters for the hearings should contact Rita Gonzales-Garza, at 512-475-3905 at least three days before the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Non-English speaking individuals who require interpreters for the public hearing should contact Rita Gonzales-Garza at 512-475-3905 or by email at [email protected] at least three days before the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Personas que hablan espanol y requieren un interprete, favor de llamar a Rita Gonzales-Garza , al siguiente numero 512-475-3905 por lo menos cinco dias antes de la junta para hacer los preparativos apropiados.