Urgent Need for Disasters Program 2024

The Urgent Need for Disasters Program 2024, administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, is designed to assist communities in addressing urgent needs that arise from sudden and severe natural or other disasters. This program is particularly aimed at situations where no other financial resources are available to meet these critical needs. The total funding allocated for this program in 2024 is $100,000, with individual requests ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for eligible expenses. The primary purpose of the Urgent Need for Disasters Program is to provide financial support for projects that address immediate health and welfare needs resulting from disasters. Eligible expenses include activities that are necessary to meet these urgent needs, as well as those that fall under the approved list of expenditures from Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. This ensures that the funding is directed towards projects that have a significant impact on community recovery and resilience. To be eligible for this grant, applicants must be incorporated cities or counties in Kansas that do not receive an annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Notably, certain communities, including Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, and all of Johnson County, are ineligible due to their entitlement status. The applicant must be a unit of general local government, specifically a city or county. The submission requirements for the grant include a detailed application that outlines the project need, readiness, and expected impact. Applicants are encouraged to identify potential matching funds from other federal, local, or state programs to enhance their proposals. It is also important for applicants to consider the environmental impacts of their proposed activities, adhering to federal environmental regulations. Applications will be evaluated based on several criteria, including the urgency of the project need, the readiness of the project to proceed, the anticipated impact on the community, and the availability of matching funds. Additionally, the program discourages proposals that would displace individuals unless no feasible alternatives exist. The deadline for submitting applications for the Urgent Need for Disasters Program is December 2, 2024. Interested applicants should ensure that their proposals are complete and submitted by this date to be considered for funding. For further information, applicants can contact Timothy Parks at the Kansas Department of Commerce via email or phone. Overall, the Urgent Need for Disasters Program provides a vital resource for Kansas communities facing the aftermath of disasters, enabling them to address urgent needs effectively and efficiently.