Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is auditing the Office of Community Planning and Development to determine whether the program and monitoring requirements of its Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program were effectively and efficiently designed to ensure that grantees meet statutory and other federal low- and moderate-income requirements. Learn more here.
Reporting
California’s Strategic Growth Council awarded 37 projects a total of $808 million under the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program in January 2022. These grants will support the development of 4,463 housing units near transit, more than 90% of which will be rented at “deeply affordable” rates. Over its existence, the program has invested more than $2.4 billion in 164 sustainable projects, created over 15,000 affordable units, and reduced an estimated 4.4 million tons of emissions.
Hurricane Ida
Hundreds of tenants displaced by Hurricane Ida still lack a stable, permanent home six months after the disaster devastated the Oakwood Plaza public housing complex in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Tenants held a rally on February 21 to urge local, state, and federal agencies to develop a plan to find them affordable housing. Nearly 100 displaced Oakwood Plaza residents signed a petition outlining three demands: (1) grant permanent Section 8 vouchers to all displaced residents who want them; (2) launch a full investigation into the operations and practices of the building owner, Community Investment Strategies, as well as its treatment of the residents; and (3) arrange a meeting between HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and the tenants, allowing them to share their concerns.
Hurricanes Laura and Delta
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced on February 21 that the state has published its proposed 189-page action plan for spending $600 million in HUD Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for recovery from Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Visit the state’s website to view the plan and submit comments. The Louisiana Office of Community Development will also host a series of public hearings in impacted areas to receive comments about and input on the plan. To learn more about the public hearings and to register for the virtual meeting, visit https://restore.la.gov/action-plan
The Advocate reports Governor Edwards and officials in Lake Charles, Louisiana are making a final push for additional long-term disaster relief from the federal government ahead of a March 11 budget deadline. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has emphasized that recovery progress has been made despite the lack of federal assistance but has issued reminders of the great amount of work that remains to be completed. Mayor Hunter posted a series of photos on Facebook showing damaged homes and noting that he hopes Congress and President Biden take the opportunity to “right this wrong and offer some semblance of an equitable response” by sending additional aid.
Tornadoes
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced on February 21 the addition of a new feature to his state’s tornado resources website that allows survivors to register for assistance. The new registration feature will help the state connect with survivors who need housing, financial assistance, and other aid. To register for the sheltering program and to be connected with other tornado-related resources, visit governor.ky.gov/tornadoresources and click “register” in the “Sheltering & Needs Registration” section.
WKYU Public Radio reports that more than two months after a tornado outbreak devastated western Kentucky communities, hundreds of displaced residents are still living in hotels, state lodges, or homes in need of repairs. About 100 residents who lived in public housing or Section 8 housing are still displaced. Housing advocates say that the thousands of homes destroyed or damaged by the tornadoes have exacerbated the affordable housing shortage across the region. Adrienne Bush, executive director of the Kentucky Homeless and Housing Coalition, an NLIHC state partner, pointed to the historic housing investments in President Biden’s “Build Back Better Act” as essential in any effort to address the affordable housing crisis. Meanwhile, FEMA has still not started moving displaced Kentuckians into temporary housing. State officials are working to provide approximately 200 travel trailers to displaced residents but had only housed 18 families as of February 9.
FEMA announced on February 18 that Tennesseans who received FEMA rental assistance following the December 2021 tornadoes and who are still unable to return to their storm-damaged homes may be eligible for additional support. Survivors will need to demonstrate their storm-related financial need and show that they are developing a long-term or permanent housing plan.