The federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program provides assistance to Nebraska communities recovering from Winter Storm Ulmer (DR-4420). To help mitigate damages from flooding and other weather-related incidents in 2019, Federal monies have been allocated to be administered throughout some of the hardest-hit areas in Nebraska.
Working with various funding sources, including federal programs, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) will be awarding communities to assist their disaster recovery efforts. Long-term monitoring of the awards helps ensure communities use funding to make the most impact.
For more information regarding CDBG-DR, please continue to follow the website for updates and join our mailing list.
On July 31, 2020, DED submitted the State of Nebraska DR-4420 Action Plan to HUD for approval. After coordination meetings with HUD staff, DED submitted a revised version of the plan for final approval on April 14, 2021. A copy of this plan is available below. The funding programs remain consistent.
All program materials, including plans, forms, and online information, will be made available in Spanish upon request.
Todos los materiales del programa, incluidos los planes, los formularios y la información en línea, estarán disponibles en español a pedido.
Program Information
The Action Plan includes an unmet needs assessment analyzing the impacts of DR-4420 and the unmet needs related to housing, infrastructure, and the economy. The Action Plan describes DED’s plan to allocate available funding to a combination of housing, infrastructure, and planning programs to address those unmet needs.
Executive Summary
Unmet Needs Assessment
Action Plan (HUD approved)
- State of Nebraska DR-4420 Action Plan | April 2021
- Plan de Acción DR-4420 del Estado de Nebraska | April 2021
DRGR Action Plan
Content Under Development
Disaster-Related Recovery
The CDBG-DR funds must be used toward disaster recovery activities, addressing disaster relief, restoration of infrastructure, and housing and economic revitalization, directly related to the 2019 disaster.
Meeting a National Objective
To qualify for CDBG-DR funding, activities must meet one of three national objectives set forth in section 104(b)(3) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974:
- Benefit low-and moderate-income (LMI) persons, or
- Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or
- Meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs (Urgent Need).
HUD requires that at least 70% of the CDBG-DR funds be allocated and spent to benefit LMI populations. The Data for Applicants & Grantees link provides low- ad moderate-income data and other relevant information for applicants and grantees.
Most Impact and Distressed Counties
HUD has identified Sarpy, Dodge, and Douglas counties as the “most impacted and distressed” from DR-4420. Per HUD requirements, 80% of CDBG-DR funding must benefit the HUD-defined MID areas (Sarpy, Dodge, and Douglas counties). To meet the needs of other impacted counties outside of the HUD-defined MID, the State has allocated up to 20% of CDBG-DR funding to support recovery in counties that were included in the federal disaster declaration.
Slide Deck
One Pagers
Content Under Development
Data for Applicants & Grantees
Additional Resources and Related Links
- FEMA Nebraska Disaster Declaration 4420-DR, https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4420
- Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), https://nema.nebraska.gov/
- HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program (CDBG-DR), https://hudexchange.info/programs/cdbg-dr
- HUD Exchange, CDBG vs CDBG-DR: A Comparison, https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/5627/cdbg-and-cdbg-dr-a-comparison/
- HUD Exchange, CDBG-DR covid-19 FAQs, https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/6006/cdbg-dr-covid-19-faqs/
- HUD CDBG-DR Fact Sheet: https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/5341/cdbg-dr-fact-sheet/
Citizen Participation Plan
Public Hearings
Citizen Engagement
To stay up to date on important CDBG-DR information, please continue to follow our website and join our mailing list.
Public Records Request
As part of our public policy, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) aims to maintain transparency in Nebraska’s recovery processes after Winter Storm Ulmer (DR-4420). To that end, DED has developed guidelines so that any person or entity can have access to information related to activities carried out with CDBG-DR funds, while protecting the confidentiality of the information requested. DED’s goal is that every person can stay informed by following a uniform process to obtain public information regarding the management of the CDBG-DR funds and to facilitate the scope of transparency by having a reasonable framework of the steps to follow in order to have access to the information, as requested by the public.
As grantee, DED is responsible of making sure that all public information requests (PIRs) are addressed within a reasonable timeframe. Whenever possible, PIRs will be answered within ten (10) business days upon receipt if submitted by postal mail, electronically, or personally at DED headquarters.
The minimum information that a PIR Form must contain is:
- Full name;
- Physical address; Postal address; and / or email;
- Telephone number;
- Signature;
- If the petitioner is a legal entity, the PIR will also include:
- The title of the representative of the legal entity; and
- A certification that the person signing is acting as such.
- If the petitioner is a legal entity, the PIR will also include:
- The Division or Area of DED that the petitioner believes has custody of the requested public information, if known;
- A detailed description of the public information that the petitioner wishes to obtain, examine, or inspect; subject to payment of the applicable fees;
- Format in which the petitioner wishes to obtain public information; be it hard copy or electronic.
The PIR Form may be submitted to DED through the following methods:
Online: fill out the request form available on DED’s website at https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/cdbg-dr-public-information-request/
Email: ded.cdbgdr@nebraska.gov
Postal Mail: Nebraska Department of Economic Development, 301 Centennial Mall South, PO Box 94666, Lincoln, NE 68509-4666
In person: Nebraska Department of Economic Development, 301 Centennial Mall South, 4th Floor, Lincoln, NE 68508
In compliance with HUD requirements and the CDBG-DR Citizen Participation Plan, DED has created a PIR Form in order to establish a clear and specific model that guarantees people’s access to public information. You may download it or fill it out via this webpage. If you require assistance in your submission, please call 800-426-6505.
Submitting Complaints
As part of addressing Nebraska’s long-term recovery needs, citizen complaints on any issues related to the general administration of CDBG-DR funds are welcome throughout the duration of the grant. DED aims to provide an opportunity to address all complaints received. Addressing these complaints is an essential responsibility for DED, as it establishes the importance of an open communication regarding citizens’ concerns about the programs.
It is DED’s responsibility, as grantee, to ensure that all complaints are addressed promptly and consistently and, at a minimum, to provide a timely, substantive written response to every written complaint within fifteen (15) business days, where practicable, as a CDBG grant subrecipient. This timeframe is consistent with HUD requirements.
A complaint is a formal statement of grievance submitted in writing, which will be documented, processed, filed, and answered as per 24 C.F.R. 570.86 (a)(7). DED requires the following formalities:
- Needs to be in writing.
- Complainant’s full name.
- Complainant’s contact information and preferred method of notification for communications regarding complaint (telephone, physical, postal, and email addresses).
- Nature of complaint.
- Summary of complaint and desired remedy requested.
- Previously contacted individuals concerning complaint.
- Any supporting evidence.
Requirements 1-5 are mandatory. Complaints with insufficient data or submitted by a third party with no standing in the matter being submitted need not be accepted or reviewed. Anonymous complaints will not be addressed. Any individual filing a complaint on behalf of an individual or entity, shall present proper documentation confirming they have the authority to represent the complainant.
In compliance with HUD requirements and the CDBG-DR Citizen Participation Plan, DED has created a Citizen Complaint Form in order to establish a clear and specific model that guarantees people’s access to public information. You may download it or fill it out via this webpage. If you require assistance in your submission, please call 800-426-6505.
In order to ensure adequate communication with and from persons with disabilities, a complainant may request alternate formats, as needed. One of these may be to allow that a complaint be received verbally. CDBG-DR personnel or other related CDBG-DR parties receiving said complaint must assure compliance with all the requirements as described above.
The Citizen Complaint Form may be submitted to DED through the following methods:
Online: fill out the complaint form available on DED’s website at https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/cdbg-dr-citizen-complaint-form/
Email: ded.cdbgdr@nebraska.gov
Postal Mail: Nebraska Department of Economic Development, 301 Centennial Mall South, PO Box 94666, Lincoln, NE 68509-4666
In person: Nebraska Department of Economic Development, 301 Centennial Mall South, 4th Floor, Lincoln, NE 68508
Complaints related to fraud, waste or abuse of government funds must be reported to DED’s Internal Auditor, the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts (APA), directly to the OIG at HUD, or any local or federal law enforcement agency. More information on Anti-Fraud, Waste or Abuse Policy.
[Link to downloadable form.]
The following section contains information on the quarterly performance reports, as created using the Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting System (DRGR), that have been made for the CDBG-DR funds and their granting processes. These reports identify the progress DED and subrecipients are making toward meeting recovery program objectives and summarize expenditures to date.
Quarterly Performance Reports (QPRs)
Content Under Development
DED is dedicated to being a good steward of CDBG-DR resources while maintaining a comprehensive policy for preventing, detecting, reporting and rectifying fraud, waste or abuse. DED encourages any individual who is aware or suspects any kind of conduct or activity that may be considered an act of fraud, waste or abuse, regarding the CDBG-DR Program, to report such acts to DED’s Internal Auditor, the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts, directly to the Office of Inspector General at HUD, or any local or federal law enforcement agency.
The CDBG-DR Anti-Fraud, Waste or Abuse (AFWA) Policy includes definitions and examples of fraud, waste and abuse and information on reporting and investigation.
Any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to CDBG-DR funds or resources must be reported to DED’s Internal Auditor, the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts (APA), directly to the OIG at HUD, or any local or federal law enforcement agency. If you know or suspect someone has committed fraud, waste or abuse related to the CDBG-DR Program, please report by any of the means listed below.
To the Nebraska Department of Economic Development Internal Auditor:
- Online/Anonymous Email: Fill out the AFWA Submission Form, available at https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/cdbg-dr-afwa-form/
- Phone: 800-426-6505
- Postal Mail: Nebraska Department of Economic Development, 301 Centennial Mall South, PO Box 94666, Lincoln, NE 68509-4666
- In person: Nebraska Department of Economic Development, 301 Centennial Mall South, 4th Floor Lincoln, NE 68508
To the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts (APA):
- Online/Anonymous Email: Fill out the AFWA Submission Form, available at the Nebraska APA’s website: https://auditors.nebraska.gov/About_Us/SAE_E-Mail.html
- Phone: Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts confidential Hotline at 1-800-842-8348.
- Postal Mail: Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts State Capitol, Suite 2303, P.O. Box 98917 Lincoln, NE 68509-8917
- In person: Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts State Capitol, Suite 2303, Lincoln, NE 68508
Contact HUD’s OIG Fraud Hotline via phone at 1-800-347-3735 or via email at hotline@hudoig.gov.
Press Releases & Announcements
Announcements:
(Content Under Development)
Recent Press Releases:
Infrastructure Match Program
The Infrastructure Match Program is focused on designing and implementing projects that will strengthen and build more resilient communities driven by the needs, opportunities, and strategies to mitigate future disaster impacts throughout the state. Projects under this Program will implement mitigation and resilience measures to protect against future hazards.
Many federal programs require local governments to pay a share of the cost of a project, called the local share or match. In the aftermath of a disaster, the match requirements can be burdensome on grant recipients with limited resources who have been overwhelmed by emergency and recovery work and further weakened by lost government revenues. This Program utilizes CDBG-DR funding to alleviate the burden for local communities in meeting the local match requirements for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant programs in the aftermath of the 2019 disaster.
(Content Under Development)
Application Guidelines and Project Toolbox
Application Guidelines
Content Under Development
Project Toolbox
- Applicant Guidance, Frequently Asked Questions – July 14, 2021
Content Under Development
Check back here for application user guides, subrecipient award management guides, and other tools and resources.
Housing Programs
The CDBG-DR housing programs (Affordable Housing Construction Program and Homeowner Assistance Program) have been designed based on unmet needs and local priorities, as identified through feedback from local long-term recovery groups and local outreach efforts. See below for an overview of each housing program.
Affordable Housing Construction Program
The Affordable Housing Construction Program is intended to increase the affordable housing supply in flood-impacted areas, including affordable rental housing and affordable homeownership for low- and moderate-income households that lost their homes in DR-4420. Funds may be directed to new construction or unit rehabilitation to offset the impact of disaster-related losses.
This Program will be delivered between two applications. The first application will be in partnership with the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority where Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and Collaborative Resources Allocation for Nebraska funding will be leveraged. The second application will be through DED directly, where LIHTC is not a funding source.
Application Guidelines
Content Under Development
Project Toolbox
Content Under Development
Check back here for application user guides, subrecipient award management guides, and other tools and resources.
Homeowner Assistance Program
The primary purpose of the Homeowner Assistance Program is to assist low- and moderate-income households who lost their homes in the 2019 flooding and must find new housing. This Program utilizes CDBG-DR funding to provide grants to local governments and non-profit organizations to provide housing counseling, training/homeowner education, and homebuyer down payment and closing cost assistance. This Program also provides forgivable loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners who lost their homes in the disaster and have insufficient funds from other sources to afford another moderately priced home.
Application Guidelines
Content Under Development
Project Toolbox
Content Under Development
Check back here for application user guides, subrecipient award management guides, and other tools and resources.
(Content Under Development)
Planning Programs
Risk Awareness Planning Program
The Risk Awareness Planning Program targets areas with risk exposure from private levees. This Program targets counties that received a disaster declaration under DR-4420 and focuses on flood hazard vulnerabilities that led to flood damage under DR-4420. This Program will educate individuals on the risk associated with private levees as water control infrastructure and provide alternative flood mitigation options to promote resilience. DED, in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, will allocate CDBG-DR funds to support developing an outreach plan for risk communication and consultation on alternative mitigation activities.
Applications are not available for this program. The state will enter into contract to carry out these planning activities.
Housing Resiliency Planning Program
The Housing Resiliency Planning Program utilizes CDBG-DR funding to support local jurisdictions and economic development districts in developing plans for housing recovery, resilience, and affordability. The plans will support communities in identifying and leveraging both CDBG-DR and other resources and strategies for housing recovery, resilience, and affordability. The overarching goal of this Program is to promote comprehensive community resilience. This Program is intended to address flood vulnerabilities in counties that were declared under DR-4420.
Application Guidelines and Project Toolbox
Application Guidelines
Content Under Development
Project Toolbox
Content Under Development
Check back here for application user guides, subrecipient award management guides, and other tools and resources.
Procurement Information
(Content Under Development)
Section 3 Reporting Information:
Section 3 is a provision of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 that helps foster local economic development, job opportunities, and self-sufficiency. Section 3 ensures employment and other economic opportunities generated by certain HUD assistance goes to the “greatest extent feasible” to low- and very low-income persons and businesses. Section 3 goals are applicable pursuant to 24 CFR 75 as dictated by HUD. As a recipient of HUD funding, Nebraska tracks and reports on how its programs benefit low-and very low-income individuals.
For additional HUD resources, visit:
- HUD’s Section 3 website: https://www.hud.gov/section3
- HUD’s Section 3 FAQ: https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/11SECFAQS.PDF
- HUD’s Section 3 Business Registry: https://portalapps.hud.gov/Sec3BusReg/BRegistry/BRegistryHome