Input underway for proposed flood reimbursement program

The City of San Marcos Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program is seeking community input through June 4 to potentially reallocate $1,000,000 to a new reimbursement program available to homeowners in Blanco Gardens who completed repairs on their home in response to the 2015 May and October floods.

The city will host community meetings at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 at the Old Fish Hatchery Building, 201 N. CM Allen Parkway, and residents are encouraged to attend, learn more about the program, and provide feedback.

Residents may also submit feedback anytime between now and June 4 via online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/smtxfloods or email at cdbg@sanmarcostx.gov. Written copies of the survey are available at the CDBG office, located at 630 E. Hopkins. 

The proposed reimbursement program will award those who qualify up to $50,000 or 50 percent of the 2015 value of their home in eligible repair expenses.

The proposed resident qualifications include:

• The resident must have been the owner of record prior to May 23, 2015 and/or Oct. 30, 2015, and continues to be the owner of record throughout the grant compliance period;
• The unit must be located in the city of San Marcos’ updated 100-year flood plain in Blanco Gardens;
• The applicant’s annual household income must be less than 80 percent of Area Median Income for the appropriate household size according to the MSA Austin-Round Rock Income Chart;
• The applicant must be current on their property taxes, mortgage, and child support, and must be a U.S. citizen or hold legal alien status;
• Second homes and outbuildings not integral to residence are not eligible for reimbursement;
• Residents must provide photos of the flood damage, documentation of work performed, and receipts, invoices or bank statements showing the financial totals of repairs and must not have received previous reimbursement for the claimed expenses.

After collecting community feedback, staff will present CDBG-DR Amendment #8 to City Council for approval at their June 3 meeting. Once approved, the amendment will be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for consideration. HUD will then provide direction as to whether the City may implement the reimbursement program.  

Copies of Amendment No. 8 will be available after May 21 at the San Marcos Public Library, 625 E. Hopkins, the City Planning & Development Services office, and the Community Development Block Grant Office, both located at 630 E. Hopkins.

For more information on the CDBG-DR Recovery Action Plan or Reimbursement program, visit the SMTX Flood Recovery website.