The Texas Community Development Block Grant Program uses federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to provide a variety of assistance to smaller communities.

GrantWorks has worked with TCDP funds since the program began in 1983. We do not charge any fees for preparing an application to this program. If funding is awarded, we typically are selected as program administrator for a fee ranging from seven to ten percent of the grant request.

The TCDP has several "funds," each of which has its own purposes and requirements.

Community Development Fund
This fund distributes the majority of the TCDP's grants ($40-$60 million in recent years). Funds are awarded once every two years through 24 regional competitions for assistance to eligible cities and counties to address public facilities and housing needs. Eligible activities include infrastructure projects such as sewer and water system improvements, street, bridge, and drainage improvements, and housing rehabilitation. Project beneficiaries must be 60 percent low and moderate income. Grants typically range from $100,000 to more than $500,000, depending on the region. Match is required.

Planning/Capacity Building Fund
Funding is available once every two years through a statewide competition to provide assistance to cities for planning activities that assess local needs and then develop strategies and build local capacity that address those needs. The community's residents must be at least 51 percent low and moderate income. Common planning activities include base map creation and studies of infrastructure systems, housing, land use, economic development, parkland, and capital improvements planning. Grants are based on population size and typically range from $15,000 to $50,000. Match is required.

Colonia Fund
The fund is available to counties to assist identifiable unincorporated communities that are located within 150 miles of the Texas-Mexico border ("colonias"), but outside the San Antonio Metropolitan Area. Sub-funds include the Construction Fund (primarily first-time water and sewer improvements) with grants up to $500,000; and the Planning Fund with grants ranging from $25,000 to $200,000.

Disaster Relief/Urgent Need Fund
This fund was established to assist cities and counties in dealing with unexpected, emergency situations that result in destruction of infrastructure and housing. Disaster Relief funds are available after either a Governor's or Presidential declaration of disaster in a certain area. These "last-resort" grant funds are used in conjunction with FEMA or other assistance when available and range from $50,000 to $350,000.


TxCDBG Small Towns Environment Program (STEP) Fund
Funds are available for grants on a direct award basis to cities and counties to assist communities that have the need and willingness to solve water and sewer problems through Small Towns Environment Program (STEP) self-help techniques. STEP requires the community to lower the overall costs of the project by at least 40 percent compared with privately contracted work. Local volunteer organizers and labor is most often used.