DISASTER PREPARATION & RECOVERY A Presentation to the Florida Housing Coalition Annual Conference Orlando, FL September 10, 2013
Community Development Block Grant Program The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program was authorized through the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and it provides funding for: Economic Development Community Revitalization Housing Rehabilitation 2
National Objectives CDBG funded projects must meet a national objective: Benefit low and moderate income (LMI) households Prevent or eliminate slum or blight Address an urgent need 3
Disaster Recovery Implementation President Declares Disaster Area Congress Appropriates Funds U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Local Government State Local Government 4
CDBG vs Disaster Recovery No annual appropriation for CDBG disaster recovery No regulations specific to disaster recovery One of the three National Objectives must be met Disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure, housing and economic revitalization 5
HUD Responsibilities Allocate funds to affected areas Prepares a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Federal Register, including waivers and alternative requirements 6
Federal Register Waiver and Alternative Requirements HUD Secretary has authority to grant waivers or specify alternative requirements Allows grantees greater flexibility to respond to specific disaster needs Grantees must request waivers before publication of final Federal Register Notice HUD cannot waive the requirement of the appropriation law that funds be used for necessary expenses related to the disaster. 7
Federal Register Waivers and Alternative Requirements Streamlined requirements for Action Plan and citizen participation Application process and other program requirements Monitoring requirements State vs direct entitlement distributions Duplication of benefits Recordkeeping Relocation requirements Certifications 8
Grantee Responsibilities Prepare and submit an Action Plan to HUD for approval 1) Include an evaluation of the impact area especially regarding a) Housing b) Infrastructure c) Economy 2) Determine if other assistance is available (i.e., unmet need) 3) Identify allowable activities a) Disaster-related projects as in a-c above b) Planning and administration 4) Address Federal Register requirements 9
Grantee Responsibilities Establish internal controls to ensure performance and compliance Establish monitoring requirements for subrecipients Provide technical assistance to subgrantees and subrecipients Review project applications to ensure that all activities are eligible Ensure that activities are compliant with all other requirements such as Section 3 (job opportunities for low- or very-low income residents) and affirmatively furthering fair housing Track progress to ensure timely completion of activities 10
If the State is the Grantee Action Plan must address Method of distribution, or State will undertake activities directly, or A combination of the above 11
Things to Consider Continue using existing staff Hire temporary staff or a consultant to administer the program 12
In Summary After a Presidentially-declared disaster: Cities and counties should coordinate in preparing an impact assessment Review Federal Register Notices Prepare Action Plan or provide comment on the Action Plan prepared by the State, as applicable Determine staff needs and monitoring requirements, including Policies and Procedures 13
Resources HUD CDBG Disaster Recovery website: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/hud?src=/program_offices/co mm_planning/communitydevelopment/programs/drsi DEO Disaster Recovery Website: http://www.floridajobs.org/community-planning-anddevelopment/assistance-for-governments-andorganizations/disaster-recovery-initiative 14
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Additional Information Bob Dennis Community Program Manager (850) 717-8445 bob.dennis@deo.myflorida.com 17