Allen adopts 2023–24 CAPER, credits home‑repair and public‑service partnerships

Erin Jones, planning manager, told the Allen City Council that the city’s 2023–24 Comprehensive Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) — the city’s HUD report card for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program — showed the city met or exceeded several annual goals. “The CAPER is a mouthful. I like to say it is our report card,” Jones said, summarizing the year’s results.

Jones said the city completed 10 home‑repair projects in the program year and spent $312,551 on those improvements, a total that included some carryover from prior years. Eligible homeowners in the program can receive up to $40,000 to bring older homes up to minimum standards; urgent repairs are not capped if a household meets HUD income criteria, Jones said. Jones also reported the city budgeted $408,708 for the CAPER year and spent roughly 97% of that amount, and that public‑service funding (capped at 15% of the grant) totaled $61,306.

Jones described three program pillars — home repair, housing education and public services — and emphasized partnerships with volunteers and faith‑based groups (identified in the presentation as “Little Valon”) and contractors. She said education goals (20 people) were nearly met (17 reported) and that the city audits partner agencies to ensure HUD funds serve Allen residents only.

Councilmembers praised staff work. One councilmember thanked Jones and her team for exceeding the city’s five‑year consolidated plan goal, and another noted how the programs helped residents with few other options. With no public speakers, Councilmember (S9) moved to adopt Resolution 4128‑12‑24R approving the 2023–24 CAPER; the motion was seconded and the council approved the resolution.

The council closed the CAPER public hearing and Jones said the CAPER would be submitted by the deadline (Dec. 27).