2024-25 Hurricane Helene and Winter Storms CDBG Special Urgent Need

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, administers the CDBG Urgent Need Fund to enable prompt responses to serious and immediate threats to local health and safety. For the 2024-2025 cycle, DHCD has allocated approximately five million dollars through the Hurricane Helene and Winter Storms CDBG Special Urgent Need Fund. This initiative supports long-term recovery efforts specifically related to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and subsequent winter storms as declared by Governor Youngkin on September 25, 2024, and February 10, 2025. Funding is available to non-entitlement units of local government located within Planning District Commissions 1-4. Eligible projects must address conditions posing a serious and immediate threat to community health or welfare. These conditions must be of recent origin, defined as occurring within the preceding 18 months. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate the inability to finance the project independently and verify that no alternative funding is available. Eligible uses of funding include housing rehabilitation for low- to moderate-income households, infrastructure repairs such as permanent generators for treatment plants and semi-permanent bridges, and business support activities. Other allowable expenditures include damage assessments, debris removal, rental assistance, housing counseling, crime prevention measures, and broadband enhancements, particularly for first responders and law enforcement. Applications are submitted through DHCD’s Centralized Application and Management System (CAMS). For the general Urgent Need Fund, applications are accepted on an open basis from April 1 through December 31 each year or until program funds are fully allocated. Urgent Needs applications must be submitted within 18 months of an emergency declaration made by the Governor of Virginia or the State Commissioner of Health. All applicants must adhere to citizen participation requirements, including conducting two public hearings as specified in the 2024 CDBG Program Design. Joint applications are permitted but require prior coordination with DHCD. Applications are reviewed weekly on a first-come, first-served basis, and the department provides applicants with opportunities to address deficiencies. Awarded contracts will have a maximum term of 12 months, and applicants should plan projects realistically as contract extensions are not expected. A precontract period of up to 120 days applies, encompassing required reviews such as the Environmental Review process. DHCD staff are available to support applicants throughout the process. For additional guidance, contact Amanda Healy at amanda.healy@dhcd.virginia.gov or 804-371-7149, Kathi Boatright at kathi.boatright@dhcd.virginia.gov or 276-274-8453, or Joanne Peerman at joanne.peerman@dhcd.virginia.gov or 804-371-7071.

Applications must demonstrate that at least 51% of the beneficiaries will be LMI individuals.