Proposed amendment reallocates funds across existing programs, removes a program, and expands and clarifies elements of program eligibility in support of planning, housing, and infrastructure activities.
The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) will accept public comments for 30 days regarding a proposed substantial amendment to the State of Nebraska’s Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery Action Plan (CDBG-DR Action Plan). The 30-day public comment period starts today and ends at 5:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
The CDBG-DR Action Plan details the State’s proposed manner of use of approximately $108.9 million in federal funding for disaster recovery, allocated by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the aftermath of Winter Storm Ulmer in 2019 and administered by DED. While awaiting HUD’s approval of the proposed action plan amendment, APA3, DED will continue program implementation.
The proposed amendment is intended to maximize the effectiveness and availability of funding through the Affordable Housing Construction Program, Infrastructure Match Program, and planning activities, all of which were elements of the HUD-approved CDBG-DR Action Plan. APA 3 makes the following program changes:
- Reallocates $15M from Infrastructure Match Program (Match) funds to Affordable Housing Construction Program (AHCP). These changes follow application cycles under AHCP and Match, reflecting (a) a higher than anticipated interest in funding for housing construction and (b) a lower than anticipated interest in funding to support local cost-share needs for FEMA Public Assistance projects.
- Reallocates $11M from housing program for non-construction housing activities (Homeowner Assistance Program or “HAP”) and reallocates $11M to AHCP. These changes follow an assessment of available housing programs and remaining unmet needs in affordable housing construction with tie-back to the 2019 disaster.
- Allows additional cost-share flexibility in Infrastructure Match projects to allow the program to cover FEMA funding shortfalls and other eligible gap funding needs. These changes follow an assessment of remaining unmet needs in infrastructure with tie-back to the 2019 disaster.
- Adds flexibility for Planning activities. These changes expand the eligible area, eligible entities, and increase the total grant amounts.
- Accounts for the appropriate allocation of certain eligible planning costs associated with the Action Plan and amendments thereof, as allowed by HUD guidance. These changes align with updated policy guidance.
The HUD-approved CDBG-DR Action Plan, as amended, and the proposed amendment (APA3), including a summary of changes, is available on the following webpage: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/hud-requirements/.
The public hearing is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT on November 1, 2023, via WebEx. Register at https://sonvideo.webex.com/weblink/register/rca3cbe39eb070d10992711d89551ef05. Additional information about this public hearing is available on the CDBG-DR webpage: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/cdbg-dr.
Members of the public may submit comments via email to ded.publiccomment@nebraska.gov with the subject line “Proposed CDBG-DR Amendment”; or by mailing them to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, ATTN: CDBG-DR Program Manager, Disaster Recovery Division, 245 Fallbrook Blvd, Ste. 002, Lincoln, NE 68521.
This amendment is considered substantial because it includes a change in benefit and reallocates more than $5 million. Substantial amendments require a public comment period.
After accepting public comments, the State will submit the plan to HUD for final federal approval. Once HUD approves the plan, the State will be able implement the proposed changes.
For assistance, contact the Disaster Recovery Team via email at ded.cdbgdr@nebraska.gov or by phone at 800-426-6505.
Español: Para obtener ayuda, comuníquese con el Equipo de Recuperación de Desastres por correo electrónico a ded.cdbgdr@nebraska.gov o por teléfono al 800-426-6505.
Individuals who are hearing and/or speech impaired and have a TTY may contact the Department through the Statewide Relay System by calling (711) INSTATE, (800) 833-7352 (TTY), or (800) 833-0920 (voice). The relay operator should be asked to call DED at (800) 426-6505 or (402) 471-3111. Additional information is available on the Nebraska Relay website at http://www.nebraskarelay.com/. Nebraska Relay offers Spanish relay service for our Spanish-speaking customers. Spanish-to-Spanish (711) or 1-888-272-5528; Spanish-to-English (711) or 1-877-564-3503. Nebraska le ofrece el servicio de relevo a nuestros clientes en español. Los consumidores de TTY pueden escribir por máquina en español y las conversaciones serán retransmitidas en español y inglés.