Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Development

 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Division of Housing and Community Development

Funding Availability

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)

2008 DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDING

The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announces the availability of disaster recovery funding in the amount of $17,457,005, to address needs resulting from federally declared disasters in 2008. This CDBG disaster recovery funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) [Docket No. FR-5256-N-01, Federal Register/Vol. 74, No. 29; The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009] and can only be used for Recovery from the federally declared disasters noted in the Federal Register Notice. The federal disaster declarations issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cover counties affected by Tropical Storm Fay (FEMA-3288-DR and FEMA-1785-DR), Hurricane Ike (FEMA-3293-DR), and Hurricane Gustav (FEMA-1806-DR).

The State of Florida is required to submit an Action Plan to HUD which reflects proposed uses of the funds for disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure, public facilities, housing, and commercial or business areas. Urban Entitlements, Non-Entitlements eligible to participate in the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, and federally recognized Indian Tribes within (or contiguous to) the counties listed in the disaster declarations are eligible to apply for assistance. HUD is requiring the State to use at least $1,855,155 for affordable rental housing activities.

The Department used FEMA damage assessment data, which was collected at the county level, to determine counties with the greatest unmet need. Damage assessment data and proposed allocations are reflected in the Draft Action Plan.

HUD has waived the Citizen Participation requirement to allow states to expedite the allocation of this funding. Therefore, the state will not conduct a public hearing on the draft Action Plan. To facilitate the public comment process, the Draft Action Plan is being emailed to local governments and posted to the Department’s website at:

http://www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/disasterrecovery.cfm.

Comments on the draft will be accepted from July 15, 2009 through August 3, 2009, and can be hand-delivered, emailed or mailed to the Department.

Attention: CDBG Program

Department of Community Affairs

2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail].

The tentative dates for the application cycle are August 31, 2009 through October 5, 2009. Should the Department find it necessary to change the application cycle start and end dates, notice will be provided to all eligible local governments and will be posted to the Department’s website.

A copy of the application, along with other relevant information, will be provided to eligible local governments and posted to the Department’s website. Applicants must certify that no other funding is available to address the proposed activities reflected in the application and must document that they are directly a result of the 2008 storms. Please contact the Department at the address and telephone number listed above if you have questions.