On July 1, 2024, HUD launched a new streamlined process for requesting additional flexibility on existing grants after a disaster is declared. Recipients of annual HUD funding may request waivers to unlock and accelerate the use of their funding for disaster response and recovery. With the updated waiver process, HUD is proactively issuing maximum flexibility to communities impacted by disasters. These flexibilities will expedite the recovery process, reduce administrative burden, and allow impacted jurisdictions to quickly tailor programs and activities to address the post disaster needs of impacted communities.

The expedited process will enable HUD to quickly provide regulatory and administrative relief to recipients of the following HUD programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Continuum of Care (CoC).

To expedite the use of these funds, HUD's state and local partners impacted by declared disasters can now access waivers through an expedited approval process. Examples of HUD's flexibilities include:

• HUD may suspend a cap limiting CDBG expenditures for public services to 15 percent- so that CDBG grantees can pay for additional support services for individuals and families affected by declared disasters. Services could include the provision of food, emergency shelter, case management, and related services to help residents in declared-disaster areas until long-term recovery resources become available.
• When extensive damage and destruction to the housing stock occurs in impacted areas HUD may enable CDBG grantees to replace affordable housing units that were lost as a result of severe weather, waiving restrictions on new construction.
• The HOME matching contribution requirement may be waived for communities in the declared disaster areas.
• ESG may be used for more than the usual 24 months on rental assistance and housing relocation stabilization services for low-income individuals and families.

If a Presidentially Declared Disaster has been issued in your area, you are welcome to reach out to your CPD Field Office to request suspension and waiver flexibilities to use your annual funding to support disaster recovery. Click here to contact your CPD Field Office to start the process.

• Guidance on the New Waiver Process: click here
• All CPD Disaster Waivers: click here
• Contact Information for your CPD Field Office: click here
• HUD Press Release: click here

Content current as of October 10, 2024.