Student Corner: Community Development Block Grants – Disaster Recovery Funds (Part 1)

<p>Along the eastern seaboard, the intensity and frequency of severe weather caused by tropical storm systems and hurricanes is expected to increase. Most recently in North Carolina, Hurricanes Matthew and Florence caused severe damage to private property and public infrastructure. As similar storms are expected to occur more often, local governments will need to be well-versed in the funding opportunities available from state and federal programs. Many of these funds are available to private home and business owners, and local governments can play critical intermediary roles, aligning available resources with citizen needs. At the same time, a portion of these programs are available to local governments directly, funding infrastructure repair and capital projects.</p> <p>One of the largest and most widely available recovery programs is the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). Appropriated by Congress and administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as well as state partner agencies, the program is specifically designed for use in low to moderate income (LMI) areas. This post will review the CDBG-DR appropriation and allocation process as well as discuss what funds are available to local governments.</p> <p></p> <p>CDBG-DR Appropriation and Allocation Process</p> <p>Following a major disaster, Congress has the right to appropriate funds to HUD for long-term recovery. HUD allocates these funds to affected states, and a single agency in each state is typically responsible for administering program funding. In North Carolina, this agency is the Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR), within the Department of Public Safety.</p> <p>Before funds are released from HUD, NCORR must develop and [...]</p>