The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released proposed changes to its method to distribute approximately $19 million in CARES Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to cities with populations of less than 50,000 and counties with populations of less than 200,000. In place of the lengthy and cumbersome existing application process to access these funds, HCD is developing a formulaic disbursement method and streamlined process to quickly get CDBG funds out-the-door for certain COVID-19 related prevention, preparation, and response activities, as summarized here. The public comment period on HCD’s plan amendment closes today and RCRC’s comments can be found here. While RCRC is strongly supportive of many of HCD’s proposed changes, RCRC suggested modifying the allocation formula to take into consideration the higher level of state mandates imposed on county governments to implement public health and emergency response programs. If HCD’s changes are quickly approved, funds may be available by or before mid-May.
