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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires outreach to citizens, applicants, local leaders, and other stakeholders as part of the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. However, this outreach is also critical in educating the community on the program, keeping them up-to-date and demonstrating the tangible progress of the program.

Typically, the CDBG-DR program administrator takes the lead in outreach and serves as the main point of contact. Local leaders, non-profit organizations, PR firms, and others may also assist by responding to citizen comments and concerns, developing outreach material, and distributing information. IBTS CDBG-DR program experts offer the following advice on engaging and communicating effectively with the entire community.

At the start of program implementation, notify residents of where they can find information moving forward.

• The main source of public information will come from your CDBG-DR program website.
• Email blasts and social media posts are great for letting residents know about the website and other sources of information available as the program progresses.
• Work with local leaders to post a link to your CDBG-DR program on your jurisdiction’s website.

Send information out with water or utility bills.

• Consider partnering with your local utility company to send out information at the start of the program, such as eligibility requirements, where to find more information and how to apply.

Use existing social media accounts to issue notices and updates.

• Partner with local officials and community leaders to post information to their organizations’ social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
• Use social media posts to encourage residents to submit data about their unmet needs, comment on your Action Plan, and attend public informational meetings.

Hang flyers and distribute informational pamphlets.

• Distribute pamphlets and applications directly to residents or partner with local organizations, such as faith-based groups, who can distribute the information to to their members.
• Consider setting up a table outside of a religious service or grocery store to distribute pamphlets. Have applications that can be completed on-site, and a case manager on-hand to answer questions.

Hold as many public hearings as you see fit.

• Although HUD typically requires grantees to hold a public hearing for comment on the Action Plan and any subsequent substantial amendments, consider also holding public meetings at program milestones to update the community on progress and answer questions.
• Be sure to accommodate the public by holding hearings and meetings in a centralized location outside of regular work hours.
• Check the Federal Register notice issued for your CDBG-DR allocation to find the public hearing requirements for your program.

Consider using consultants to assist in developing public-facing materials.

• Disaster recovery program consultants, such as IBTS, can help develop accurate and easy-to-understand informational material. Consultants can also attend public hearings and meetings to answer questions from community members.
• PR firms can help distribute and develop press releases and other public-facing material. They can also ensure that the government is sending a consistent message about the CDBG-DR program and overall recovery efforts.
  • Check to see if your jurisdiction already uses a PR firm.

Be sure to offer options for Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals and residents with disabilities.

• Not only is this a HUD requirement, but it helps define the unmet recovery needs of all community members, and how the CDBG-DR funding can help.

See more tips from IBTS CDBG-DR program experts on CDBG-DR outreach compliance.