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Notification From U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of Possible Entitlement Status for Urban County Community Development Block Grant Program FY 2024
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
Hernando County received a letter from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) July 17, 2023, informing the County that it is eligible to be a direct recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for HUD’s Fiscal Year 2024 allocation. Information received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) indicates that the County qualifies for funding as a metropolitan entitlement county.
Each year additional entitlement communities also become eligible to join the CDBG program which may further impact funding available for distribution. The county’s estimated possible entitlement amount is based on prior year’s allocation. That calculation yielded a current amount of $1,277,000.00 for Hernando County.
The decision to accept or defer entitlement status is solely a local matter. Deferring direct entitlement status through HUD would make the County eligible to compete for the State of Florida’s HUD Small Cities Funding under the State’s Fiscal Year 2024. The County may not apply for State Small Cities Funding, however, after accepting direct entitlement status.
The County received a letter requesting our determination regarding pursuing or deferring FY 2024 funding requesting a response no later than August 7, 2024; however, the response date entered on the letter for Hernando was incorrect and should have read August 7, 2023. After the error was identified, HUD requested immediate notification of Hernando County’s determination decision and provided an extension to submit other required documents. As a result, Hernando County requested the Chairman’s signature on correspondence to HUD stating that Hernando will pursue FY 2024 funding. Ratification of this correspondence is sought with this agenda item.
The City of Brooksville declined to participate in the Hernando County CDBG for program year 2024-2026.
Documentation is attached for the Board’s review. It must be submitted HUD in order to pursue the Urban County Community Development Block Grant Program FY 2024 funding with a program year start date of October 1.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None at this time.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board has the authority to act on this matter pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve participation in the FY 2024 Urban County Qualification Process for the CDBG Program and ratify the Chairman’s signature on the revised letter the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.