11 Timely and Meaningful Public Participation, , 2605(b)(12) - Assurance 12, 2605(c)(2)

11.1 How did you obtain input from the public in the development of your LIHEAP plan? Select all that apply. Note: Tribes do not need to hold a public hearing but must ensure participation through other means. Tribal Council meeting(s) Public Hearing(s) Draft Plan posted to website and available for comment Hard copy of plan is available for public view and comment Comments from applicants are recorded Request for comments on draft Plan is advertised Stakeholder consultation meeting(s) Comments are solicited during outreach activities Other - Describe: Public Hearings, 2605(a)(2) - For States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Only 11.2 List the date and location(s) that you held public hearing(s) on the proposed use and distribution of your LIHEAP funds? Date Event Description 1 05/13/2025 public in person hearing at TX Dept of Housing and Community Affairs, 221 East 11th Street, 1st floor, Austin, TX 2 05/14/2025 public in person hearing at Baker Ripley, 1st floor conference room, 3838 Aberdeen Way, Houston, TX 77025 3 05/14/2025 public in person hearing at Northside Community Center, 1100 NW 18th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76164 4 05/15/2025 public in person hearing at West Texas Opportunities, 1415 East 2nd Street, Odessa, TX 79761 11.3. How many parties commented on your plan at the hearing(s)? 1 11.4 Summarize the comments you received at the hearing(s). No comments were received at the public hearings. But one comment received in writing from the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies (TACAA): TACAA recommends continuing to fund pressure testing for two key reasons:1. Health and Safety Compliance: Propane companies will not fill a tank if the fuel level is below a certain threshold due to health and safety regulations. This is also a liability issue for the companies, which strictly enforce this policy with no exceptions.2. Avoiding Service Delays and Administrative Burden: If LIHEAP only covers the cost of fuel and not the required pressure test, service is delayed until the client can pay for the test out of pocket. Many clients cannot afford this, resulting in delays that can last weeks or even months. This not only leaves households without needed fuel but also increases administrative burdens on service providers, who must repeatedly follow up with both clients and vendors to ensure service is eventually delivered.For these reasons, TACAA strongly urges TDHCA to maintain pressure testing as an allowable activity in the 2026 LIHEAP State Plan. 11.5 What changes did you make to your LIHEAP plan as a result of public participation and solicitation of input? The Department inadvertently had revised language in the Draft 2026 LIHEAP State Plan regatding pressure testing propane tanks. The Department revised the plan to add testing back in. If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.