Application Instructions for the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Imminent Threat (IT) Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, through the Office of Public and Indian Housing, administers the Indian Community Development Block Grant Imminent Threat Program. This program is authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and regulated at 24 CFR Part 1003. It is designed specifically to provide emergency assistance to Tribes and Tribal organizations in response to situations that pose an imminent threat to public health or safety. Imminent threats are defined as conditions that, if left unresolved, will immediately and negatively impact public health or safety. Such threats must be independently verified, non-recurring, unusual, and must affect an entire service area. The Imminent Threat Program is distinct from other Community Development Block Grant opportunities in that it operates on a first-come, first-served basis and focuses exclusively on urgent, non-recurring hazards. The purpose of the program is to alleviate or remove threats such as natural disasters, hazardous infrastructure failures, or urgent health and safety risks that require immediate attention. The scope of funding includes activities such as acquisition of real property, rehabilitation or construction of public facilities, demolition or clearance of unsafe structures, provision of emergency public services, temporary or permanent relocation assistance, housing counseling and rehabilitation, and in some cases, new housing construction if carried out by eligible organizations. Flexibilities and waivers are also available for grantees located in areas affected by Presidential Disaster Declarations. These waivers may expand eligible uses of funds, such as permitting equipment purchases or extending emergency payment timelines for affected households. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed in the order they are received. HUD estimates that the review and award determination process takes approximately three months. Because funds are limited and reserved annually through appropriations, eligible applicants are encouraged to apply quickly. In previous years, five million dollars were allocated to this program, funding approximately five awards. Current grant ceilings have been adjusted to account for inflation and construction costs: $750,000 for non-disaster events and $1,500,000 for Presidentially Declared Disasters. HUD retains the discretion to adjust awards, fund partial proposals, or reserve funds for Tribes with the greatest need. Applicants must submit a complete package by email to ONAP-ICDBG@hud.gov, with a copy sent to their Area Office of Native American Programs. The application package includes a Standard Form 424, disclosure and certification forms, a detailed budget, a cost summary, an implementation schedule, and a comprehensive project description. Documentation must also include independent verification of the imminent threat, evidence that the threat affects an entire service area, and proof that no other Federal or Tribal funds are available to address the issue. Applicants must be actively registered in SAM.gov and have a valid Unique Entity Identifier at the time of submission. ICDBG-IT applications cannot be submitted through Grants.gov. The evaluation process is based on completeness and adherence to program requirements. HUD reviews applications for eligibility, verifies documentation of imminent threats, and assesses the applicant’s financial stability and performance history with Federal awards. Risk-based reviews are also conducted under 2 CFR 200 to ensure compliance with management and reporting standards. Applications that are incomplete will lose their place in the queue until deficiencies are corrected. If funds are exhausted for a given fiscal year, applications retain their position in line for future funding cycles, subject to applicant confirmation when new funds become available. Successful applicants will receive a formal award notice via email, followed by a grant agreement requiring signature. Funds are disbursed through HUD’s electronic Line of Credit Control System. Post-award requirements include compliance with 24 CFR Part 1003, environmental review procedures, and submission of regular performance and financial reports. Grantees must submit an Annual Status and Evaluation Report and quarterly financial reporting via SF-425. HUD has also indicated that new grant management and reporting tools will be implemented soon, and compliance with these systems will be mandatory. Noncompliance with program rules or reporting requirements may result in termination of funding or other remedies under 2 CFR 200. Applicants seeking to amend existing Single Purpose ICDBG grants to address imminent threats may do so with HUD approval. Waiver requests must be submitted via email to the Area ONAP office and will be reviewed on an expedited basis if located in an area affected by a Presidential Disaster Declaration. For technical assistance or questions, applicants should contact their Area ONAP or email ONAP-ICDBG@hud.gov. The notice is signed by Benjamin Hobbs, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public and Indian Housing.