Texas Department of Rural Affairs  (formerly Office of Rural Community Affairs)

Excerpts from Texas Deparment of Rural Affairs:

The Texas Department of Rural Affairs (TDRA) is a state agency, created in 2001 by the 77th Legislature to ensure a continuing focus on rural issues, monitor governmental actions affecting rural Texas, research problems and recommend solutions, and to coordinate rural programs among state agencies.

    ORCA Sunset Process

    ORCA was reauthorized as an State Agency through the Sunset Process by the 80th Texas Legislature .  See Update on ORCA's Sunset Process.

 

Community Development Block Grant Funding Source

Every year, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development provides federal Community Development Block Grant funds directly to states, which, in turn, provide the funds to small, rural cities with populations less than 50,000, and to counties that have a non-metropolitan population under 200,000 and are not eligible for direct funding from HUD. These small communities are called "non-entitlement" areas because they must apply for CDBG dollars through TDRA. (Larger cities, such as Dallas, Houston and others, receive CDBG monies directly from HUD, and are called "entitlement" areas.)
 

Service Area
TDRAs CDBG program is the largest in the nation. The rural-focused program serves approximately 1,017 eligible rural communities, 245 rural counties, and provides services to over 375,000 low- to moderate-income beneficiaries each year. Of the 1,017 cities eligible for CDBG funds, 740 have a population of less than 3,000 and 424 have a population of less than 1,000. The demographics and rural characteristics of Texas have shaped a program that focuses on providing basic human needs and sanitary infrastructure to small rural communities in outlying areas.

Budget
TDRA administers the state's CDBG non-entitlement program that originates from the federal agency, Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The U.S. Congress determines through their budgeting process the yearly amount with a specified formula for distribution to each state.

Community Development Programs currently funded include community planning, disaster relief, economic development, and public facilities.  Additional programs include Rural Health.  See ORCA Agency Overview.

History
The CDBG program is governed by Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (the Act) (See US Dept. of Justice) and Federal regulations at 24 CFR 570, Subpart I (See Federal Regulations). The introduction of the CDBG program in 1974 signaled a move away from individual categorized federal development assistance programs towards the block grant model, which gives communities broad latitude in using funds for a variety of development activities. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 authorized states to administer the CDBG programs.

Eligible Applicants  :Cities under 50,000 in population and counties that have a non-metropolitan population under 200,000 and are not eligible for direct CDBG funding from HUD may apply for funding through any of TDRA's CDBG programs.

For additional information, go to http://www.orca.state.tx.us/


Emergency Services District Coordinator

Emergency Services Districts are political subdivisions established by local voters for the purpose of raising money through ad valorem taxes on all real property located within the district. Some ESDs use sales taxes to help fund the district. The ad valorem and sales taxes support ESD services designed to protect life by helping supporting emergency fire, rescue and/or ambulance services.  ESDs, being political subdivisions of the state, are established by the voters in the district with funds overseen by a five member board of commissioners from the district.

Additional information about TDRA's Emergency Services can be obtained by contacting:
Jimmy Woodard 
ESD Coordinator
Tx Dept of Rural Affairs
PO Box 476
Bedias, Texas 77831
936 359 2456
FAX 936 395 2457
jwoodard@orca.state.tx.us 
www.orca.state.tx.us