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Community Development

The City of Denton Community Development Department uses citizen comments, local government and service agencies guidance, to develop and implement programs and projects that provide decent housing, a suitable living environment and expand economic opportunity, principally for persons of low to moderate income.

Community Development activities include grants for Housing and Public Improvements, as well as, human service grants that provide funding to area social services agencies. The department also supports the development of affordable housing options that provide full and equal access to all persons through the Housing Tax Credit (HTC) program.

Housing Assistance
First-time home buyers, home owners with home repair needs and renters in need of rental assistance may find resources to help. Housing Programs managed by Community Development include:
The City works with several partners who provide housing assistance services:
- Denton Housing Authority offers rental assistance or call (940) 383-1504
- Denton Affordable Housing Corporation offers ADA properties to rent or call (940) 484-7048
- Habitat for Humanity of Denton County constructs, rehabilitates, and preserves homes.
Social Services
Through the Human Services Grant and other general funding the City is providing support to community human services programs serving low and moderate‐income City of Denton residents. The grants utilize Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and General Revenue Funds awarded to local nonprofit agencies. By leveraging funding local, state, and federal, grants we have the target goal to ensure at least 3,500 individuals and/or households are served through City-supported programs.

The City provides funding for the provision of the following services for the 2017‐18 fiscal year:

Child Care Services
- Denton Christian Preschool (940) 383-3332 ‐ $26,000 to provide quality early childhood education for at-risk children in the community.
- Denton City County Day School (940) 382-6485 ‐ $36,600 to provide quality early childhood education to low-income children between the ages of 18 months and 5 years.
- Fred Moore Day Nursery, Inc. (940) 387-8214 ‐ $48,000 to provide nurturing and developmentally appropriate early learning environment for low-income families between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years old.
- Summer Kids Camp ‐ $27,500 – for free summer camp program to income eligible kids in need of quality care in the summer.
- Children's Advocacy Center (972) 317-2818 (Local), 800-252-5400 (Hotline) - $144,897 for supportive services to children and law enforcement in the investigation of cases involving abuse and sexual assault of children.
Elderly Services
- RSVP Serving Denton County (940) 383-1508 (Volunteers) ‐ $5,000 for coordination of volunteer activities for senior citizens in Denton who provide volunteer services to local nonprofits.
- Special Programs for Aging Needs (SPAN), Inc. (940) 382-2224 ‐ $23,000 for home delivered and congregate meals for senior adults in Denton.
Family Resources
- Communities in Schools of North Texas, Inc. (972) 538-9930 ‐ $21,200 for personnel and supplies for dropout prevention programs in Denton ISD campuses located within city limits of Denton.
- CASA of Denton County, Inc. (940) 243-2272 ‐ $20,000 to provide advocacy services in the judicial system for abused children who have been removed from their home. The agency helps to ensure the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.
- Denton County Friends of the Family (800) 382-7273 ‐ $35,000 for director to ensure shelter is properly equipped to improve clients sense of safety, provide support in overcoming the impact of violence and abuse, and begin the process of helping the client achieve and maintain self-sufficiency free from family violence.
- Youth and Family Counseling (972) 724-2005 ‐ $5,000 for counseling services for adolescents referred by area police, courts and schools.
Health Care Services
- Denton Community Health Clinic (940) 600-7527 (Behavioral Health & Diabetic Eye Exams) ‐ $30,000 for health care and case management for patients with complex needs in coordination of care and specialized eye exams for persons with diabetes.
- Health Services of North Texas (940) 381-1501 ‐ $45,000 for indigent primary care providing immunizations, treatment for acute & chronic physical and behavioral health conditions, well visits, care management and access to specialty care.
Mental Health and Disabilities
- Denton County MHMR (940) 381-5000 ‐ $15,000 for direct care staff for the HCS Residential Care Services Program.
Other Types of Public Services
- RSVP Serving Denton County RSVP (940) 383-1508 (VISTA) ‐ $12,500 for providing paid full-time volunteer support to organizations that help eradicate poverty.
Emergency Assistance for Homeless or At Risk Housing Assistance
- Monsignor King Homeless Center (940) 391-1919 ‐ $20,000 for the provision of emergency shelter during inclement weather for people experience homelessness.
- The Salvation Army Denton Corps (940) 566-3800 ‐ $20,000 for assistance with food provided at the K.A.R.E. Kitchen daily meals and Food Pantry for clients experiencing homelessness and low-income households.
- Giving HOPE, Inc. (940) 483-0569 (Transitional Housing) $26,500 for financial rental assistance to families who are homeless and seeking to secure permanent housing.
- Homeless Leadership Team ‐ $18,000 for coordination and support of HMIS data system and Coordinated Entry system in Denton.
- Interfaith Ministries (940) 566-5927 ‐ $5,000 for short term rental assistance to prevent eviction and prevent homelessness.; $100,000 for assisting families in crisis with one-time utility assistance.
- Serve Denton - $21,000 for Employ-2-Empower a pilot project to help the literally homeless gain the skills, experience and confidence needed to find living‐wage jobs by helping people develop a job history, providing training and experience to develop soft skills, and connecting people to long‐term employment opportunities.
- United Way of Denton County (940) 566-5851 - $80,000 for director of homelessness initiatives and coordinator of coordinated entry homelessness initiatives in support of the Denton County Homeless Leadership Team system wide plan to help ensure homelessness is rare, brief and nonrecurring.
Community Development Block Grant – Taking Applications June 2018
The City of Denton has $217,923 in 2018-19 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. These funds can be used to support public facilities projects in low to moderate-income neighborhoods or improvements to non-profit facilities that provide direct services to low and moderate-income residents.

The City of Denton utilizes the Federal Community Development Block Grant for Housing and Public Improvements that assist low and moderate-income households and to help revitalize neighborhoods.

Grant application(s) must follow the established criteria in the City’s Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development and address the City Council’s stated priorities.

Application training is available June 28 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. or July 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the City of Denton Community Development Division located at 601 E. Hickory St., suite B. The deadline for application submission is July 20 at 4 p.m.

If you would like to apply, have questions or need additional information, please contact Barbara Ross, Community Development Manager, at Barbara.Ross@cityofdenton.com or (940) 349-7235.
Human Services
The City of Denton utilizes the Federal Community Development Block Grant to improve the quality of housing and neighborhoods through grants and housing assistance programs. Community Development also administers grant programs awarded through other City departments including the Police Department's Fair Share Fund and the Denton Municipal Electric PlusOne Utility Assistance Program. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs awards funds from the Emergency Solution Grant to provide homeless programs and services.

Human Services Grant

The Human Services Grants provides funds to community human services programs serving low and moderate income City of Denton residents. The grant utilizes Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and General Revenue Funds awarded to local nonprofit agencies. Services funding generally include reduced cost childcare, adult care, family services, youth services, homelessness assistance/prevention, utilities assistance, and others as needed. Interested organizations complete the annual application to be released in November 2018.

To learn more about programs currently funded visit Social Services
Emergency Services Grant

The City of Denton utilizes the Federal Community Development Block Grant to improve the quality of housing and neighborhoods through grants and housing assistance programs .

In addition, Community Development also administers grant programs awarded through other City departments including the Police Department's Fair Share Fund and the Denton Municipal Electric PlusOne Utility Assistance Program. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs awards funds from the Emergency Solution Grant to provide homeless programs and services.

Emergency Services Grant
To learn more about ESG in Denton County, please visit: https://endhomelessnessdenton.com/about/emergency-solution-grant-esg/ or contact the City of Denton Community Development Division at (940) 349-7726.