The Community Service Block Grant (CSBG), Low-Income House Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reside in the Bureau of Economic Self-Sufficiency within the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

Division of Community Development

The FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY announces a hearing to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 10:00 a.m.

PLACE: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Caldwell Building, 107 East Madison Street, MSC 400, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, This Public Hearing will be held via conference call. Tele-Conference Number: 1(888)585-9008, Conference Code: 717-433-638

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Community Service Block Grant (CSBG), Low-Income House Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reside in the Bureau of Economic Self-Sufficiency within the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). These programs provide funding to specific eligible entities within the state to support services focused on the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families in rural and urban areas to become self-sufficient. However, the existing formulas that govern the distribution of funds within the state are based on outdated data. To fulfill the mission of each program, it is necessary to update to the formulas based on more recent data to ensure the equitable distribution of funds and to address the needs of low-income Floridians.

The University of Florida’s (UF) Program for Resource Efficient Communities and UF’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies collaborated to support DEO’s effort to revise the funding formulas. The team leveraged extensive expertise in building science, housing assistance programs, energy and water conservation and data analytics to develop a robust, defensible, and replicable formula process for the CSBG, LIHEAP and WAP. On February 17, 2020, UF delivered a final written report and supplemental documentation of the funding formula development process and results.

DEO‘s Bureau of Economic Self-Sufficiency will be conducting a hearing for public comment regarding the development of the updated CSBG, LIHEAP, and WAP funding formula.

If a person decides to appeal any decision of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity with respect to any matter considered at the public meeting, he or she will need a record of the proceeding. For such purposes, he or she may need to ensure that a record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made.

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Ms. Debbie Smiley, Chief, Bureau of Economic Self-Sufficiency, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, 107 East Madison Street, MSC 400, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4120. Copies may also be obtained by calling [phone], faxing [phone] or emailing [e-mail]. The "Funding Formula Development Report" is also available by request.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

For more information, you may contact: Ms. Debbie Smiley, Chief, Bureau of Economic Self-Sufficiency, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, 107 East Madison Street, MSC 400, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4120. Copies may also be obtained by calling [phone], faxing [phone] or emailing [e-mail].