CDBG funds and HOME Grant funds are monies allocated from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to aid low-to-moderate-income families and revitalize neighborhoods. Public input on how these funds should be spent in Tyler neighborhoods is essential, so the city is hosting community meetings.

From Staff Reports

Tyler Neighborhood Services will host three community meetings to discuss funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Grant over the next five years.

The first meeting is set for 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday morning at St. Louis Baptist Church, 4000 Frankston Hwy. in Tyler. There will be two other meetings this week: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 at the Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave., and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18 at the Glass Recreation Center, 501 W. 32nd St.

As part of the public outreach about CDBG and HOME Grant funding, the department is asking community members to complete a survey to identify where the funds should be utilized.

The survey contains four questions, including one with specifics about where the HUD money should be used, such as “demolition of dilapidated, substandard structures, home repair for people who already own their home, cleaner neighborhoods, adaptation of housing for elderly/disabled, places for the homeless to live, money to help first-time homebuyers, job training, creation and help for small businesses, preservation of historic buildings including downtown,” and more. Visit the following link to participate in the survey: https://tinyurl.com/tylercommunitysurvey.

CDBG funds and HOME Grant funds are monies allocated from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to aid low-to-moderate-income families and revitalize neighborhoods. The exact grant amounts have yet to be announced. Public input on how these funds should be spent in Tyler neighborhoods is essential, according to the city.

The following is a list of eligible activities within the CDBG program:

• Acquisition of Real Property
• Disposition
• Public Facilities and Improvements
• Clearance and Demolition
• Public Services
• Interim Assistance
• First-Time Homebuyer
• Affordable Housing
• Rehabilitation
• Reconstruction
• Minor/Critical Repair
• Architectural Barrier Removal
• Addressing Homelessness
• Homeownership Assistance Planning and Capacity Building Program
• Administration Cost

Staff will be at the meetings to answer questions and provide information. People can submit questions and comments through the contact us form on the Neighborhood Services website.

The city’s Neighborhood Services Department has a mission to provide financial resources to low or moderate income families and organizations, w while initiating neighborhood revitalization in the city.

Further, it “works collaboratively with citizens, neighborhood groups, government agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations to strengthen the social fabric of our neighborhoods,” according to its website. The department works to foster civic duty and responsibility, share information, administer programs, provide educational activities and serve as a liaison for connecting citizens to the services and information they need “for improving their quality of life while using their input to ensure a comprehensive and effective response to the needs of their neighborhood are met,” the website states.

The neighborhood services building is located at 900 W. Gentry Parkway in Tyler. For more information, call 903-531-1303 or visit cityoftyler.org.