AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The city of Austin Housing Department applied for a federal grant for up to $7 million that will help remove barriers to affordable housing and more, according to a news release from the city. This is the second round of funding the city applied for. Austin applied for the first-round of Pathways to Removing Obstacles (PRO) to Housing Grant in 2023 but was not selected, the release said. For the second round, HUD will "provide $100 million in competitive PRO Housing grant funding to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation." If the city is selected in this round, it said the money "will be used to further develop, evaluate, and implement housing policy plans, improve housing strategies, remove regulatory barriers, and facilitate affordable housing production and preservation." The city has opportunities for the community to share their input on how those funds will support local housing programs. Public comments are open from Thursday through Oct. 10 and are available on the Housing Department website and is also open for public hearing on the following dates provided by the city below: Housing and Planning Committee Meeting happening Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. Community Development Commission Meeting on Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. Community Advisory Committee Meeting on Oct. 10 at 5 p.m.