CDBG-DR Appropriation

On Dec. 20, 2024, $1.6 billion in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding was appropriated by the U.S. Congress to support recovery efforts from the 2023 Maui wildfires. See full press release here.

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What is CDBG-DR?

Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant funds are appropriated by Congress and allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to rebuild disaster-impacted areas and provide crucial seed money to start the long-term recovery process.

Purpose of CDBG-DR funds:

Focuses on long-term recovery efforts
Addresses unmet needs that other federal programs have not addressed yet
Funds supplement and fill remaining funding gaps
CDBG-DR cannot supplant other federal funds

What are CDBG-DR funds used for?

The special appropriation provides funds to the most impacted and distressed areas for:

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Housing

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Infrastructure

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Economic development

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Public services

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Mitigation

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Local Match for other Federal programs

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‍Each CDBG-DR activity must address a disaster-related impact (direct or indirect) in a Presidentially declared area for the covered disaster

Be a CDBG eligible activity
Meet a CDBG national objective*
Disaster-related activities are those that demonstrate a logical connection between the impacts of the covered disaster and the activity’s contribution to community recovery.

*To meet a CDBG-DR national objective, all activities must:

Primarily benefit LMI (Low-to-Moderate Income) persons;
Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; or
Meet other community development needs having an 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 (known as “Urgent Need”).

Next steps once CDBG-DR funds have been appropriated

Anticipated date for funding to be released: Summer 2025

After appropriation by Congress, HUD will calculate and announce allocations, and publish a Federal Register Notice, which describes the rules, procedures, waivers, and alternative requirements governing the CDBG-DR program.

Once the County is announced as a formal grantee and is provided an allocation amount, the County shall:

Finalize and submit drafted financial management policies and certifications to HUD for approval.
Present a draft CDBG-DR Action Plan to the community at large for comments. The Action Plan includes a needs assessment, community and stakeholder engagement, and identification of activities that the grantee will undertake under its recovery or mitigation program. Action Plans also detail funding amounts, sources of other funds, and implementation partners.‍
Submit the CDBG-DR Action Plan with comments to HUD for approval.
Funds can only be disbursed to CDBG-DR grantees after HUD approves the CDBG-DR Action Plan.

Community Engagement

Anticipated community engagement: Spring 2025

With Community input, engagement and comments, the County as the CDBG-DR Grantee will prepare a CDBG-DR Action Plan that will include eligible projects and estimated funding amounts for HUD’s approval.

The County’s Action Plan must include a Citizen Participation Plan which describes how the public will be informed and engaged throughout the grant’s lifecycle.

Prior to approval by HUD, the CDBG-DR Action Plan shall be posted for public comment to provide opportunities to citizens, affected local governments and other interested parties an opportunity to provide comments. All comments on the Action Plan or any substantial amendment, received orally or in writing, will be considered. Approved Action Plan and any amendments will be displayed on the County’s CDBG-DR webpage.

County of Maui’s CDBG-DR Program Office

The County of Maui has developed a CDBG-DR Program Office, which is under the Office of Recovery in the Department of Management.

This office will be responsible for:

Designing and implementing recovery programs to meet unmet recovery needs
Establishing internal controls to ensure performance and compliance; monitoring subrecipients
Providing technical assistance to subgrantees and subrecipients
Reviewing project applications to ensure that all activities are eligible
Ensuring that activities are compliant with all other requirements such as creating Section 3 economic opportunities and affirmatively furthering fair housing
Tracking progress and program spending to ensure timely recovery
Reporting, grant management and tracking

For more information, email cdbg-dr@mauicounty.gov.

Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)