After almost three years, Hays County has finally received federal funding for disaster recovery from a pair of devastating flood events in 2015.
The county was given approximately $11.6 million for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Funds.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) distributed a total of $142,336,000 statewide for CDBG Disaster Recovery Funds. HUD allocated an original $7.4 million grant to Hays County in 2016, and later awarded another $4.2 million. Hays County was considered one of the most impacted counties in the state.
County commissioners held a public hearing during their Jan. 30 meeting in order to help determine the method of distribution for the funds. Several citizens and nonprofit members spoke.
“As you know we had some of the worst floods and it has taken forever to get this money to the people that need it,” Ruben Garza, board member for the Blanco River Regional Recovery Team, said during the hearing. “Is it still needed? Yes. We have people out there still living in substandard conditions because of the flood who have just given up.”
Many local churches, charities, and nonprofits helped with disaster relief and response during the events and rebuilding efforts after the fact.
The two floods in May and October of 2015 are known respectively as the Memorial Weekend Flood and the All Saints Flood. The Memorial Weekend flood caused flooding along the Blanco River and had 12 confirmed deaths. The All Saints Flood caused widespread flooding throughout southern and eastern Hays County.
Commissioners approved the method of distribution to specific areas for the grant at the meeting. It is recommended by HUD that low to moderate income individuals take priority in the distribution of funds, around 70 percent of the funds allocated.
Funding for housing projects will total $3,703,459.
Hays County Unincorporated will receive $2,349,747 and Uhland will receive $1,353,711.
Projects smaller than the threshold of $100,000 did not meet Texas General Land Office (GLO) requirements for the grant.
The GLO will have to approve the method of distribution from the county before the public can begin applying for the funds. This should take about 90 to 120 days from the point that the county turns in their method of distribution application to GLO.
