San Marcos Seeks Community Feedback on Federal Grant Spending

SAN MARCOS — The City of San Marcos is inviting residents to help determine how to allocate its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Each year, San Marcos receives approximately $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support programs and projects that address community needs. To access these funds, the city must develop an “Annual Action Plan,” outlining how the money will be distributed and who will benefit.

According to federal guidelines, the projects funded must fulfill at least one of three national objectives: assisting low-income residents, improving conditions in slums, or addressing current community needs. To ensure effective allocation of these funds, San Marcos updates its CDBG Consolidated Plan every five years, setting priorities and guiding how the funds will address community needs.

Local resident Sabrina Cerda believes community input is vital in determining how the funds are spent.

“This money is meant to help the community, and I want to make sure my city is prioritizing what matters most to us,” said Cerda. “That’s why it’s important we use opportunities like this to voice what we believe should get funding, because who knows what might get overlooked if we don’t.”

Past CDBG Plans and How to Participate

In the previous CDBG plan (2020-2024), youth programs were the top priority, followed by services for the homeless and support for victims of abuse. Housing affordability was also a major concern, as residents noted the increasing cost of rent in the area. These concerns remain relevant in this planning cycle, as housing shortages and affordability issues continue to affect San Marcos. Local resident Jedrek Hernandez has experienced this issue firsthand.

“I feel that each year as more students come to San Marcos, the cost of living keeps going up, and it’s getting harder for non-students like me to stay here,” said Hernandez. “I know a couple of friends that also had to leave once they graduated because they couldn’t afford their rent with the jobs they had at the time.”

To ensure that funding is used effectively, the city is encouraging public participation through an online survey, which is open from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28. The survey asks residents to rank priorities across five major categories:

• Housing – Affordable housing, accessibility, and home repairs
• Public Facilities & Infrastructure – Local parks, sidewalks, and community centers
• Transportation & Jobs – Public transportation, covered bus shelters, and job training
• Services & Programs – Support for seniors, victims of abuse, youth programs, and homeless services
• Housing Issues – Rent affordability, housing discrimination, and predatory lending

In addition to the survey, residents can provide input at two public meetings:

• Feb. 19 at 12 p.m. — Online via Zoom
• Feb. 25 at 9 a.m. — San Marcos Senior Citizens Center

City officials will use feedback from these meetings and the survey to finalize the Consolidated Plan, which will guide funding decisions from October 2025 through September 2030.

“I took the survey because I want to make sure San Marcos gets the resources it needs, plus I like knowing I did my part,” said Hernandez.

San Marcos is encouraging everyone to participate in the survey and meetings to ensure their voices help shape the city’s future development.

For more information about the CDBG program or to complete the survey, visit https://www.sanmarcostx.gov/FormCenter/Planning-Development-Services-5/CDBG-Grant-Fund-Priorities-301