TITLE: Title
Quarterly Reports (2021 Q1 & Q2) for the Town of Carrboro’s CDBG-CV Grant No. 25-V-3525
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to provide an update on the Town of Carrboro’s Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) from the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
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DEPARTMENT: Housing and Community Services
CONTACT INFORMATION: Rebecca Buzzard, Housing and Community Services Director, rbuzzard@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:rbuzzard@townofcarrboro.org>, 919-918-7438
INFORMATION: On August 25, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper announced funding for three initiatives to help North Carolinians with rental and utility payments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of these initiatives provided the availability of $27.5 million from a federal Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) to be administered by incorporated municipalities with under 50,000 residents and counties with under 200,000 residents, through the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Local governments were encouraged to prioritize the support of rental and utility payments and prevent evictions for those with a demonstrated need.
The Town of Carrboro applied for and was awarded CDBG-CV funds to be used with the County’s existing Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) program, which provides financial assistance to help Orange County residents with low incomes secure and maintain stable housing.
As part of the CDBG-CV grant compliance requirements, the Town of Carrboro must provide quarterly written status reports to Town Council on the use of the CDBG-CV funds. Each quarterly report must be signed by the Mayor and submitted to the NC Department of Commerce. Attachment A contains the first and second quarterly reports for the grant, covering the first and second quarters of calendar year 2021. The Town received approval to begin expending CDBG-CV funds from the Department of Commerce on May 13, 2021, therefore the reports cover funds provided to residents from May 13, 2021-June 30, 2021. A detailed report on the EHA program will be part of the affordable housing year in review presentation on October 5, 2021 and will provide time for Council Member discussion and questions. The upcoming report will also present eviction data and project future EHA needs.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: None noted in relation to the receipt of this report. Review and submission of quarterly reports is required in order to maintain compliance with the terms of the Town of Carrboro’s $900,000 CDBG-CV grant. After the first two quarters, $725,650.04 remains in the grant fund. All funds must be obligated by March 17, 2023.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Town Council review the quarterly reports and authorize the Mayor to sign the reports for submission to the NC Department of Commerce.