CDBG-DR monitoring is an important process to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local rules and regulations and to prevent any findings from HUD. IBTS developed this on-site monitoring review checklist for use in Cleveland County, Oklahoma’s, CDBG-DR program, which funded 10 infrastructure projects and other smaller projects. The checklist was strategically designed by IBTS… Read more
Natural disasters are unpredictable and can happen at any time. They often catch homeowners off-guard and unprepared to provide the legal documentation for their home required to begin the reconstruction process. If you are a local agency, NGO, or other agency tasked with preparing your community for natural disasters, it’s important to provide homeowners with… Read more
IBTS recommends using the WH-347 form — a standardized fillable PDF payroll form recognized by every federal agency — to track disaster related time and cost expenditures. If payroll is not properly documented during disaster response and recovery, municipalities may not be eligible for FEMA reimbursement or may be forced to return their funds years after the… Read more
“The biggest mistake I’ve seen across the country in programs is not following proper procurement,” says IBTS Corporate Disaster Recovery Executive Mike Spletto. “I’ve seen local governments have the entire procurement become null and void for not following federal competitive bid requirements.” Because the CDBG-DR program is federally funded, grantees must follow federal procurement policies when… Read more
Many grantees are unfamiliar with federal procurement policies, which must be followed when procuring goods and services with CDBG-DR funds. In the urgency of post-disaster recovery it’s easy for grantee’s to overlook program procurement requirements, however if you don’t comply you may be forced to repay your funds. This toolkit provides guidance to help CDBG-DR… Read more
Cities and counties can incur millions of dollars in disaster response and recovery costs. Although FEMA reimburses most of these, if cost and time expenditures aren’t properly recorded localities may be denied assistance or forced to return money years after the disaster hits. It’s important that your locality has a plan in place for mundane… Read more
Cities and counties can incur millions of dollars in disaster response and recovery costs. Although most of these costs are eligible for FEMA reimbursement, if cost and time expenditures aren’t properly recorded localities may be denied assistance or forced to return money years after the disaster hits. Some municipalities have an appointed disaster financial manager,… Read more
This form is to be used by responsible entities and recipients when requesting the release of funds, and requesting the authority to use such funds, for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs identified by statutes that provide for the assumption of the environmental review responsibility by units of general local government and state.… Read more
Before work begins on a post-disaster recovery project funded by the program, grantees must perform an environmental review to evaluate the impact of the project on the environment, and vice versa. The review, which must be in accordance with requirements, provides documentation to prove that no harm is done to either the environment or the… Read more
State, local and tribal recipients of assistance assume environmental responsibility over projects, which means they are required to perform an environmental review that meets requirements on any CDBG-DR funded project before work can begin. This document provides the step-by-step instructions for conducting an environmental review on a particular project or activity, in addition to guidance… Read more
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