The City of Sugar Land annually receives a funding allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the implementation of the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. These funds can be utilized for multiple activities that benefit low- to moderate-income Sugar Land residents, including infrastructure/public facility improvements, housing rehabilitation projects, public services, and program administration.

During the 2016 program year (October 2016 through September 2017), the City received a total of $267,181 in CDBG funds. Conditions on the use of funds include a 15 percent cap on public services and a 20 percent cap on program administration. Within the CDBG program, there are no limits on the amount of funds that can be allocated for housing rehabilitation and infrastructure/facility improvements. On August 2, 2016, the City Council approved the Program Year (PY) 2016 Annual Action Plan that provided for the following funding allocations:

These allocations provided a funding level just below the administrative cap, maximized the amount of funds available for public services throughout the community, and continued to fund housing rehabilitation projects and infrastructure improvements during the program year.

In accordance with CDBG program requirements, the City of Sugar Land must annually develop and submit a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to evaluate the progress in carrying out the priorities and objectives identified in the City’s HUD-approved Consolidated and Annual Action Plans and to report that progress to HUD and the citizens of Sugar Land. Provided below is a summary of the funds expended and clients served during the 2016 program year:

*Funds allocated represent multiple year funding for Lonnie Green Park design and construction. Project spanned Program Years 2014, 2015 and 2016.

The City of Sugar Land annually contracts with a consultant for CDBG program administration services. In addition to annual administration requirements, HUD-required plans were drafted and submitted during the 2016 program year, including the PY 2015 CAPER and the PY 2017 Annual Action Plan. With the completion of these program requirements, the City expended its 19 percent of administration funds.

As referenced in the table above, one of the public service agencies achieved and exceeded their goal for PY 2016, while the other two agencies faced program challenges. Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels exceeded their beneficiary numbers and were able to expend their funding allocation. Literacy Council of Fort Bend County came very close to serving their proposed beneficiaries and expended all of their allocation due to assisting duplicate clients. Child Advocates of Fort Bend fell short of meeting their beneficiary numbers and were unable to expend all their funding allocation. This year was the first time funding this portion of the Child Advocates program, and client projections were estimated. All clients served through these programs were low- to moderate-income residents.

The City’s housing rehabilitation activities were carried out by the Fort Bend CORPS. During the program year, the agency rehabilitated 8 homes for low- to moderate-income residents, which meets the number of targeted beneficiaries for PY 2016.

While the construction of Lonnie Green Park was originally proposed during PY 2015, higher than anticipated bids caused delays in the start of construction; however, the project was completed in PY 2016 without any further delays.

During PY 2016, the City also completed the Covington Woods Street and Sidewalk Improvements that included the modification of sidewalk ramps to increase accessibility within the Covington Woods subdivision.

The draft CAPER was available for public review and comment beginning November 16, 2017 through November 30, 2017. The City received no written or verbal comments. The Environmental and Neighborhood Services Department recommends that the City Council approve the Program Year 2016 CAPER for submittal to HUD. Upon approval by the City Council, this plan will be submitted to HUD by December 29, 2017 in accordance with the CDBG program requirements. Once submitted, HUD will review the document for compliance.