CDC approves 2026 CSBG budget and community action plan after public hearing; commissioners raise concerns about online access and program targets

Acting Neighborhood Services Unit manager Jill Smith presented the proposed 2026 Community Services Block Grant community action plan (CAP) and budget to the Community Development Commission on Aug. 12, 2025. After a public hearing and discussion about document access and performance targets, the commission voted to approve the CSBG budget and CAP; one commissioner abstained.

Why it matters: CSBG funds support local anti‑poverty services—case management, food distribution, eviction prevention, employment supports and health screening—across the Neighborhood Services Unit. The CAP translates the 2024 community needs assessment into annual targets and service allocations.

Key points from the presentation: Smith said the 2024 community needs assessment ranked housing, basic needs, employment, health and income/financial services as the top five needs. Major services funded or coordinated under the CAP include food pantries and mobile pantries (including a shift of one outreach site from Onion Creek Soccer Complex to Dove Springs Rec Center), a “HOPE” healthy options program for older adults, agency retail pickup partnerships with grocery stores (including H‑E‑B) and case management programs that include rental and utility assistance, bus passes and employment supports.

Smith outlined performance targets included in the CAP: staff expect to serve about 150 people in self‑sufficiency case management with a funder‑set target of 43 people transitioning out of poverty; targets also list rental assistance to help about 700 people avoid eviction, utility assistance for about 150 people, and food distribution to roughly 75,000 people. Smith said the neighborhood services unit employs about 50 staff, but only 13 positions are paid using CSBG funds (two program managers, seven community workers and four social workers); other rental and utility assistance funding sources are separate from the CSBG personnel budget.

Document access and public hearing: Commissioners and an online vice chair raised that the CAP spreadsheet was initially difficult to view online; staff paused action to ensure the public could see the materials. Housing staff converted the CAP from a 77‑page Excel backup to a 16‑page PDF and redistributed it during the meeting. After reissuing the materials, the commission opened the public hearing, received comments, closed the hearing and proceeded to a vote.

Commissioners’ questions and public comments: Commissioners asked about measurement of the “transition out of poverty” metric (the funder’s national performance indicator requires sustained income above 125% of the poverty level for 90 days), survey response rates for client satisfaction (Smith said staff will add more in‑person survey collection to improve response), and case management follow‑up for clients who return for assistance. Several commissioners asked for broader outreach and language access for notices and surveys to ensure low‑income and service workers in affected neighborhoods can participate in planning.

Vote and outcome: After public comment, a commissioner moved to approve the 2026 CSBG CAP and budget and the motion was seconded. The commission approved the CAP and budget with one abstention recorded by Commissioner Menard.

Ending: Staff said they will circulate the finalized CAP documents and noted they will continue to refine outreach and survey collection methods to improve client response and program evaluation.