Hurricane Ian CDBG-DR Grant Management

Hurricane Ian CDBG-DR Grant Management

Hurricane Ian U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Grant Program

Introduction

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) directly awarded Lee County $1,107,881,000 in funding to support long‐term recovery efforts following Hurricane Ian. Lee County is required to submit an Action Plan to detail how funds will be allocated to address remaining unmet needs in Lee County.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program provides financial assistance to communities affected by disasters. The program helps communities recover and rebuild by funding projects like housing rehabilitation, infrastructure improvements, and economic development.

At least 70% of the grant must be used for projects that benefit Low-to-Moderate income households, which HUD defines as a family at or below 80% of Area Median Income. In Lee County a single person household would qualify at $52,450 or less per year, while the limit for total household income is $74,900 per year for a family of four.

FY2024 Income Limits Summary

These disaster recovery funds must be used for necessary expenses related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, mitigation, and planning.

The eligible activities outlined action plan are:

• 2/13/24, Notice of Intent to Apply for Grant Funding: The School District of Lee County applied for grant funding through the Lee County Recovery and Resiliency Planning Program, NOFA released December 5, 2023, by February 23, 2024.

• 5/13/24, Notice of Intent to Apply for Grant Funding: On April 16, 2024, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners' (BOCC) considered Community Development block grant- Disaster Recovery (CBDG-DR) Recovery and Resiliency Planning project applications. The BOCC has selected the School District of Lee County (SDLC) to complete a full application in response to the NOFA.

• 9/18/2024, the Lee County Board of County Commissioner’s (BOCC) considered Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Recovery & Resiliency Planning project applications. On April 23, 2024, The BOCC awarded up to $500,000.00 for Lee County School District Vulnerability Assessment.

• 5/13/24, Notice of Intent to Apply for Grant Funding: On April 22, 2024, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners' (BOCC) considered Community Development CDBG-DR Public Facilities and Infrastructure Applications. The BOCC has selected the School District of Lee County to complete a full application in response to the NOFA.

• 9/23/24, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to award Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to Public Facilities and Infrastructure projects. The BOCC has conditionally awarded funding for the Lee County School District (SDLC) CDBG-DR Infrastructure and Public Facilities Project for $8,000,000.00.

Procurement and Contracts

• Vulnerability Assessment Consultant Services (CDBG-DR) The School Board of Lee County, Florida will develop a county-wide vulnerability assessment that builds upon both the Lee County After Action Report from Hurricane Ian and the 2022 Lee County Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. The Board’s vulnerability assessment will include an assessment of all property and land owned by the Board to determine current and future resiliency to all hazards.

• Request for Proposal (RFP No. CP24-0141AN) was released on August 15, 2024, and closed on September 18, 2024. The recommendation was to award to Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc. was Board approved on December 10, 2024. RFP documents are available on the Board’s Bonfire platform at https://leeschools.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/150448

Public Comment

Anyone with questions or comments with the nature of, the services provided, or decisions made on behalf of the Hurricane Ian CDBG-DR Planning Projects and/or the Critical Infrastructure Project may complete the form below and the file will be sent to the appropriate department for an answer. The community can also visit in person the Lee County school District board meetings held once a month and bring their comments or questions. All comments will be considered and responded to generally within thirty (30) business days. Should a specific comment require more than thirty (30) business days to address, the SDLC contact person handling the comment will advise the commenter in writing accordingly and indicate when the response can be fully addressed. The Lee County School District will maintain records of all documents submitted and issued concerning any comments.

For assistance with the CDBG-DR comment process, e-mail Sabah Yassin at [email protected]

Records of all comments, by citizens concerning the Lee County CDBG-DR program and subsequent action taken in response to those comments will be maintained on file and shall be made available for public inspection upon request.