HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development posted three Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) explaining how the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program can be used to help jurisdictions respond to heat waves.
FAQ 1
States and entitlement cities and counties may use CDBG funds to provide public facilities and services to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events. Eligible CDBG activities include:
- Public service activities, such as creating cooling centers where residents can access air conditioning during heat waves (no more than 15% of an annual CDBG allocation may be used for public services)
- Public facilities and infrastructure improvements, which include installing air conditioning, evaporative coolers, or fans in buildings
- Housing rehabilitation, including installing air conditioning and using materials that are more resilient to high temperatures and more energy efficient
Communities may be able to use CDBG Cares Act supplemental funds (CDBG-CV) funds to address heat wave impacts for healthcare facilities and businesses that are working to prevent and respond to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
HUD issued the Community Resilience Toolkit, which helps recipients of all CPD funds (such as the HOME Investments Partnership program) identify opportunities to use CPD dollars to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards, including increasing temperatures and extreme heat.
FAQ 2
CDBG funds may be used to plan for and mitigate the risks and impacts of heat waves and other extreme temperature. Examples include:
- Planning and coordinating with community partners to identify and assist vulnerable populations
- Rehabilitating and retrofitting older buildings and facilities to be more energy efficient
- Undertaking new building practices, such has green roofs, to enhance heat tolerance
- Conducting public education and awareness campaigns to inform the public of the dangers of extreme heat and steps they can take to protect themselves
- Developing emergency response plans to quickly mobilize critical services and resources to areas and individuals most at risk
FAQ 3
HUD can provide a waiver to shorten the amount of time a proposed plan or amendment must be published for public comment. HUD can also expedite processing times for reviewing plans and amendments. CDBG grantees seeking to quickly amend an Annual Action Plan should contact their field office for advice and support.
Read the FAQs at: https://bit.ly/3whIxq8
Access the Community Resilience Toolkit at: https://bit.ly/2UY075s
More information about CDBG-CV is on page 10-15 of NLIHC’s 2021 Advocates’ Guide.
More information about regular CDBG is on page 8-4 of NLIHC’s 2021 Advocates’ Guide.