The goal of the Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Program is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, as well as by expanding economic opportunities, that principally benefit persons of low- to moderate-income.
The objectives of the TxCDBG Program are:
- To improve public facilities to meet basic human needs, principally for low- to moderateincome persons;
- To improve housing conditions, principally for persons of low- to moderate-income;
- To expand economic opportunities by creating or retaining jobs, principally for low- to moderate-income persons; and
- To provide assistance and public facilities to eliminate conditions hazardous to the public health and of an emergency nature.
The STEP program provides funds to eligible applicants for water and sewer infrastructure improvements utilizing self-help methods. The community must provide local volunteer labor and available material resources such as equipment in order to demonstrate a 40% cost saving off the retail construction price of the water or sewer project. The STEP award recipient must also demonstrate strong local participation in the implementation of the contract, and the overall construction and implementation must be performed predominately by community volunteer workers. Texas State CDBG staff will provide guidance, assistance, and support to community leaders and residents willing to use self-help to solve their water and sewer problems. Eligible activities include:
- Acquisition of real property related to the installation of water and sewer systems or improvements (easements, rights of way, etc.)
- Ancillary repairs related to the installation of water and sewer systems or improvements
- Installation of facilities to provide first-time water or sewer service
- Installation of water or sewer system improvements
- Plumbing improvements associated with providing water or sewer service to a housing unit
- Reasonable associated administrative costs
- Reasonable associated engineering services costs
- Sewer or water taps and water meters
- Water or sewer connection fees (for low and moderate income persons)
- Water or sewer house service connections (for low and moderate income persons)
- Water or sewer yard service lines (for low and moderate income persons)