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COVID-19 RESPONSE
To help Houstonians through the coronavirus crisis, HCD will administer $45 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This funding will be used to support the work of nonprofit organizations who are providing immediate relief in the form of rent and utility assistance programs, emergency shelter maintenance, and other activities.
COVID-19 Resources
Funding Breakdown
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has provided Houston three emergency grants, which are detailed in the tables below. More information can also be found in our revised Amended 2019 Annual Action Plan.
| Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Project | Funding Amount | Funding Percentage |
| Public Services | $19,106,397 | 53.4% |
| Public Facilities | $8,509,627 | 23.8% |
| Housing Services | $1,022,224 | 2.8% |
| Planning and Administration | $7,159,561 | 20.0% |
| Total | $35,797,809 | 100.0% |
Within this allocation, the Public Services funding will be used to boost the work of nonprofit organizations who provide health, housing, or other services to Houstonians. The Housing Services funding will support a HOME funded rental assistance program.
| Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Grant - CV | ||
|---|---|---|
| Project | Funding Amount | Funding Percentage |
| Supportive Services | $261,018 | 17.4% |
| Project or Tenant-based Rental Assistance (TBRA) | $200,000 | 13.3% |
| Short-Term, Rent, Mortgage & Utility Assistance | $800,000 | 53.3% |
| Grantee Administration | $90,072 | 6.0% |
| Sponsor Administration | $150,121 | 10.0% |
| Total | $1,501,211 | 100.0% |
The HOPWA-CV funding will assist individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families through supportive services, rental assistance, mortgage assistance, and utility assistance.
| Emergency Solutions Grant - CV | ||
|---|---|---|
| Project | Funding Amount | Funding Percentage |
| Street Outreach | $2,000,000 | 6.9% |
| Emergency Shelter | $10,425,591 | 36.1% |
| Homeless Prevention | $1,707,000 | 5.9% |
| Rapid Re-Housing | $11,879,660 | 41.1% |
| Administration | $2,890,241 | 10.0% |
| Total | $28,902,420 | 100.0% |
The ESG-CV funding will assist extremely low-income persons and families through street outreach, emergency shelters, homeless prevention, and rapid-rehousing programs. The Homeless Management Information System for Houston is administered by the Coalition for the Homeless.
Timeline of COVID-19 Relief
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3/27/20 - CARES Act Passed
U.S. Congress passes Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Economic Security Act (CARES Act), granting $9.1B to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
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4/3/20 - HUD Notifies Cities
HUD notifies the City of Houston that it will receive $23.3M for its CARES Act allocation. City begins amending 2019 Annual Action Plan to include this funding.
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5/6/20 - City Council Approval
Houston City Council approves Amended 2019 Annual Action Plan, including activities proposed for the $23.3M of CARES Act funding.
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5/7/20 - Additional Application Materials
HUD notifies City of additional application materials required to receive funding.
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5/14/20 - Grant Application Submitted
City submits grant application materials and Amended 2019 Annual Action Plan to HUD.
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6/3/20 - Grant Executed for $23.3 M in CV Funding
City executes first CV grant agreements with HUD for $23.3M in CDGB-CV, HOPWA-CV, and ESG-CV funds.
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9/18/20 - Grant Executed for additional $21M of ESG-CV Funding
City executes new grant agreement for an additional $21 million in ESG-CV funds.
COVID CARES Housing Plan
On July 1, 2020, the City of Houston announced a collaboration with Harris County, the Houston Housing Authority, and the Houston Coalition for the Homeless to provide resources to those experiencing homelessness, who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. A Request for Expression of Interest from Qualified Agencies (REI) was released and applications were accepted on a rolling basis through September 1, 2020. The REI application can be found on the Funding page. The budget for funds in the COVID CARES Housing Plan is a combination of sources from across jurisdictions. To see the full budget, you can download it here.
For details on applications, please attend or watch an archive of the Q&A on the REI held July 6, 2020, at 2pm-3:30pm.
The budget for funds in the COVID CARES Housing Plan is a combination of sources from across jurisdictions. To see the full budget, you can download it here .
Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The City of Houston and Harris County are working together to provide $159 million in rent and utilities assistance to families who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by two agencies with established experience in helping people in need: BakerRipley and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Please visit https://houstonharrishelp.org for more information.
Complaints & Feedback
The City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) welcomes feedback and complaints from any member of the public. Complaints are accepted in writing or over the telephone. Complaints will be responded to in writing within 15 business days, when possible.
Complaints of fraud, waste or abuse must be immediately escalated to the City of Houston Office of Inspector General , or Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Inspector General regardless of whether the complaint is informal or formal.
Mailing Address
City of HoustonHousing and Community Development Department
2100 Travis Street, 9th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
ATTN: Planning and Grants Management
Phone: 832.394.6200
Email: HCDDComplaintsAppeal@houstontx.gov
Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program
You may submit your complaint using the following form , or by phone or mail.
The City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) welcomes feedback and complaints from any member of the public. Complaints are accepted in writing or over the telephone (832-393-0550).
Please report any complaints and suspicions of fraud, waste or abuse you observe. All potential fraud reports involving the use of Federally funded Pandemic assistance programs will be investigated.
State and Local Information Sources
