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College Station staff outline CDBG/HOME programs, down-payment help and housing action plan as city faces projected shortfall
Summary
City staff briefed the Planning and Zoning Commission on CDBG and HOME-funded programs, a raised down-payment assistance cap, partnerships and a proposed 60-unit tax-credit project; staff said a density-bonus and fee-study will be pursued to address an estimated 4,000-unit shortfall by 2030.
David Brower, the community development administrator, gave commissioners an extensive briefing on the city’s housing programs and the Housing Action Plan on Jan. 15.
Brower said the city administers federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and HOME Investment Partnership funds and presented recent annual grant totals "a little over $1,200,000 in CDBG funds and right at $475,000 of HOME Investment Partnership grant funds." He described eligible uses—housing activities, public facilities and economic development—and noted CDBG’s three national objectives (area benefit, slum/blight elimination and urgent need).
On programs, Brower said the minor home repair program provides grants up to $20,000 for repairs such as HVAC replacement, roof work and accessibility upgrades. He described the down-payment assistance program as a 0% interest deferred loan up to 30% of the sales price, capped at $80,000 (recently increased from $50,000). "The last deal we did, the family made right at $60,000 a year... They purchased a $220,000 home. The down payment assistance was right at $60,000," Brower said, describing the program’s shared-equity repayment when the owner ceases occupancy. He added the city’s loan portfolio stands near $1.8 million.
Brower also discussed tenant-based rental assistance partnerships (including the Brazos Valley Council of Governments housing choice voucher program) and the city’s use of Section 108 loans to leverage larger rehabilitation projects. He said the city works with tax-credit developers and that a proposed 60-unit affordable rental development will be presented to council next week with a request for a resolution of support.
On the Housing Action Plan, Brower said the advisory committee recommended, as early actions, proactively rezoning priority areas for townhomes and middle housing, studying tiered fee reductions or waivers for developments that include affordable units, and generating incentives (including a potential density/height bonus). He said staff plans to issue an RFQ for a consultant to study density bonuses and what fee waivers or offsets would be appropriate before any incentives are adopted.
Brower told commissioners that, unless the current trajectory changes, the city could be about 4,000 units short by 2030—an outcome the plan aims to alter.
Commissioners raised questions about how the student population affects income-limit calculations, asked for maps showing proposed rezoning priority areas, and pushed staff to pursue targeted strategies to increase starter-home product in the city.
Next steps Brower described include preparing materials for council on the pending tax-credit request, issuing a consultant RFQ to study density bonuses and fee impacts, and continuing public engagement around rezoning priorities.
— Reporting by the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Jan. 15, 2026
