The Coastal Bend Council of Governments (CBCOG) is developing a method for allocating nearly $180 million in federal disaster mitigation funds to the 11 counties and 33 cities it represents.
After receiving input from the public, the council is set to submit a preliminary report March 23 to the Texas General Land Office (GLO) on its plans to distribute Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Funds (CDBG-MIT) throughout the region.
The funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will go toward developing strategic, high-impact activities to mitigate disaster risks and reduce future losses in areas impacted by recent disasters.
Eligible projects must mitigate against at least one of the top two severe risks Texas experiences of hurricanes/tropical storms/tropical depressions or severe coastal/riverine flooding.
GLO is administering the CDBG-MIT program at the state level under a federally approved State Action Plan that will allocate funds to councils of governments impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Under this plan, the GLO has issued distribution guidelines for these councils.
At least 50 percent of funds must address mitigation needs in HUD Most Impacted and Distressed areas, and 50 percent of all CDBG‐MIT funds must benefit low‐to‐moderate income individuals.
Officials at CBCOG are scheduled to host a second public hearing on April 20 before the public comment period closes April 26.
