The council accepted a 2017 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), again through Community Action Partners and managed by the City’s Neighborhood Services Department.
The grant, up to $2.5 million, is designed to help reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities and empower low-income families and individuals to become self-sufficient.
The projected amount is up from the 2016 funding of $1,946,923. The additional funding takes into account anticipated increase in services.
During the past five years, the city has received an average of $1,842,970 per year and as much as $2,214,992 in one year.
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs distributes the funds in quarterly allocations. The first allocation of $44,629 was available Jan. 1.
Among the services provided by CSBG are life goal training/case management, emergency assistance, outreach and certification for energy assistance, information and referral and holiday assistance, transportation to job and educational training, and medical services.
These funds support direct services such as helping people complete training to receive a higher wage job, helping them with child care while attending training, job coaching and job leads through the CAPWorks program.
Eligible applicants must be at or below 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines to be eligible for these services.
To schedule an appointment, call the Community Action Partners Customer Care Center at 817-392-5790.