The Department of Community Affairs, Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, announces the availability of $2 million in emergency set-aside funding for recovery projects related to the floods which occurred in March 2009. Eligible applicants are those communities that are eligible to participate in the Florida Small Cities CDBG Program.

The emergency set-aside funding may be used for any CDBG eligible activity that is needed in order to recover from the effects of the March 2009 floods. The purpose of the set-aside is to fund eligible activities that address serious, urgent community needs that pose an immediate and direct threat to the health, safety and welfare of residents of low and moderate-income. The activities to be funded must be documented as being directly related to the severe weather event covered in the Governor’s Executive Order Number 09-81. The amount of funds requested shall be limited to that amount necessary to address the emergency need only.

The funding must meet the national objective of benefit to low and moderate-income persons. Eligible communities that are interested in receiving funding must provide a statement of intent to apply for the funds no later than July 17, 2009. The statement can be transmitted to the Department by fax (850/922-5609) or by regular mail. Local governments interested in receiving funds must also provide the following information, which serves as the application, to the Department no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST), August 7, 2009:

Name of Local Government

Address

Telephone and Fax Numbers

Email Address

Proposed project budget, including the total dollar amount

being requested

Cover letter signed by the Chief Elected Official

Narrative that includes: a description of needs, activities that will be undertaken, the proposed service area and/or number of housing units to be assisted, and the approximate number of low and moderate-income persons that will benefit from the project.

The requested information must be submitted to:

Florida Small Cities CDBG Program

Department of Community Affairs

2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100

Requirements related to the regular Florida Small Cities CDBG Program must be met. Local governments are encouraged to contact the Department if planning or administrative support is needed.

Please contact: Jacquelyn Dupree, Administrator, Florida Small Cities CDBG Program at (850)487-3644 or jackie.dupree@dca.state.fl.us if you have questions or need additional information.