HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0096) CARES ACT CDBG-CV3 LETTER from HUD- Fort Worth.pdfME NI Oe
a_ U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON, DC 20410-7000
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ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
September 11, 2020
The Honorable Betsy Price
Mayor of Fort Worth
200 Texas Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Dear Mayor Price:
I am pleased to inform you of a special allocation to your jurisdiction of Community
Development Block Grant funds to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus
(COVID-19). This allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, which was signed by President Trump on March
27, 2020, to respond to the growing effects of this historic public health crisis.
The CARES Act made available $5 billion in Community Development Block Grant
Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds. Of this amount, the Department immediately allocated $2 billion
on March 27, 2020, the same day President Trump signed the Act, based on the fiscal year 2020
CDBG formula; this constituted the first round of CDBG-CV funds. Next, $1 billion was required
by the Act to be allocated to States and insular areas within 45 days of enactment of the Act; HUD
accomplished this on May 11, 2020, and this constituted the second round of CDBG-CV funds.
Finally, the remaining $2 billion in CDBG-CV funds was required by the Act to be allocated to
states and local governments at the discretion of the Secretary on a rolling basis; HUD
accomplished this on September 11, 2020, and this constituted the third round of CDBG-CV funds.
Additionally, up to $10 million will be set aside for technical assistance.
Accordingly, this letter informs you that your jurisdiction's allocation for the third round is
$5,468,206. Your cumulative amount for all allocation rounds is $9,828,497.
The CARES Act adds additional flexibility for both the CDBG-CV grant and, in some cases,
for the annual FY2019 and FY2020 CDBG grants in these unprecedented times. The public
comment period is reduced to not less than 5 days, grantees may use virtual public hearings when
necessary for public health reasons, the public services cap is suspended during the emergency, and
States and local governments may reimburse costs of eligible activities incurred for pandemic
response regardless of the date.
In addition, the CARES Act authorizes the HUD Secretary to grant waivers and alternative
requirements of statutes and regulations the HUD Secretary administers in connection with the use
of CDBG-CV funds and fiscal year 2019 and 2020 CDBG funds (except for requirements related to
fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment). Waivers and alternative
requirements can be granted when necessary to expedite and facilitate the use of funds to prevent,
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prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.
The CDBG CARES Act Federal Register Notice (FR-6218-N-01) was released on August
10, 2020. The notice describes the allocations and grant procedures applicable to the CDBG-CV
grants. It also describes the program flexibilities, waivers, and alternative requirements that apply to
the CDBG-CV grants as well as the fiscal year 2019 and 2020 CDBG grants. As further such
flexibilities become available, they will be posted on HUD's website and distributed to grantees.
The Department will also support grantees with technical assistance.
As you develop your plan for the use of these grant funds, we encourage you to consider
approaches that prioritize the unique needs of low- and moderate —income persons and the
development of partnerships between all levels of government and the private for -profit and non-
profit sectors. You should coordinate with state and local health authorities before undertaking any
activity to support state or local pandemic response. CDBG-CV grants will be subject to oversight,
reporting, and the requirement that each grantee have adequate procedures to prevent the
duplication of benefits (DOB). HUD will provide guidance and technical assistance on DOB, the
prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse, and on documenting the impact of this program for
beneficiaries.
Reminder, all CPD Grantees must ensure they maintain active Dun and Bradstreet Numbering
System (DUNS) numbers in the System for Award Management (SAM) system. Entities must have
an active and unexpired DUNS before execution of grant agreements to avoid delays in the
obligation of funds- which will delay your ability to drawdown funds in the Integrated
Disbursement & Information System (IDIS). Grantees are required to maintain an active SAMs
registration by re -activating their DUNS number annually in the SAM system for the entire
drawdown period of their grants. DUNS numbers can be registered and renewed each year at the
following website: https://www.sam.gov/SAM1.
The Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) is looking forward to working
with you to successfully meet the urgent and complex challenges faced by our communities. If you
or any member of your staff has questions, please contact your local CPD Field Office Director or
CPDQuestionsnnswered(c�liud.gov.
Sincerely,
16
John Gibbs
Acting Assistant Secretary
for Community Planning and Development
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development