Neighborhood Planning Initiative Funding

Interlocal Agreement Funds – $75,000 is contributed annually by Potter County to support plan development through the duration of the interlocal agreement. 

Neighborhood Plan Implementation Funds – $2.616 million was issued through the 2016 Proposition #1 Bond Election to support street, sidewalk, and thoroughfare improvement projects for neighborhood plan implementation. The bond money was exchanged by the City in early 2022 for unrestricted cash to allow it to be spent on a wider variety of projects.  Each of the first four neighborhoods (North Heights, Barrio, San Jacinto and Eastridge) received $654,000. This money is allocated by the neighborhood associations in coordination with staff as prioritized through the annual action plans, also known as the Projects in Motion.

Community Investment Program (CIP) – The City’s CIP is managed by the Capital Improvements and Development Engineering department. The program supports capital improvements and infrastructure investment citywide. Projects identified in the plans can be submitted for CIP funding and receive special consideration. Neighborhoods must use their Projects in Motion work plans to prioritize potential CIP projects for consideration.

Other Sources of Funds for Neighborhood Projects

Neighborhood Empowerment Zones (NEZ)– An incentive program developed for the neighborhood plan areas to encourage private reinvestment. Property tax savings, fee waivers and sales tax rebates are available to qualifying development projects.

Business Improvement Grant (BIG)- A program offering a matching grant of up to 50% of total project costs, with a maximum match of $20,000 for projects costing $40,000 or more. Property owners and business tenants seeking to enhance their properties' exteriors should apply for this grant program.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – These are federal funds distributed to cities to assist low to moderate income communities. The Amarillo program is managed through Community Development office and focuses on Public Services, Neighborhood Improvement Projects, Emergency Home Repair and Housing Rehabilitation Assistance.

• The Emergency Repair Program uses CDBG funds to provide grants to eligible low-income homeowners to repair hazardous or life-threatening conditions in their home.  The purpose is assisting families in making emergency repairs to conditions that threaten the health and safety of the occupants. The maximum assistance is $8,000 in a 12-month period. Eligible repairs include electrical, heating (seasonal), sewer lines, plumbing, minor accessibility needs, air conditioning (seasonal & existing only), and roofing repairs.

• The Minor Repair Program also uses CDBG funds to provide a grant to eligible low-income homeowners to repair hazardous or life-threatening conditions in their home that normally would exceed other grants similar in scope. Eligible expenses are very similar to those covered in the Emergency Repair Program (listed above). The maximum assistance is $24,950 or 50% of the appraised value of the home, whichever is lower over the course of a 10-Year Lien period.

HOME Investments Partnership Program– Often called HOME funds, the federal government provides these grants to state and cities to implement local housing strategies designed to increase homeownership and affordable housing opportunities for low and very low-income residents. These funds are administered locally by the Community Development office. The City's allocation is typically around $700,000 and is used to support several different kinds of housing programs in Amarillo. This is the only source of funding available through HUD that can be utilized by private developers for the provision of affordable housing.  Projects typically fall under two programs: Rental Rehabilitation and New Construction.  Community Development announces the application period and applications are reviewed by the Community Development Advisory Board with a recommendation made to City Council for the final awards. Currently HOME funding is being directed to tenant-based rental assistance.

Mural Grant Project – This program is managed by the Public Arts and Beautification Advisory Commission and awards up to five matching grants per round divided between the four quadrants of the city. Recipients may receive reimbursement for up to one-half of what they spend, with the maximum possible reimbursement varying from fiscal year to fiscal year Typically, the City will seek to allocate a total of $30,000 among the five areas.