Resources

IBTS Presentation: Eligibility

This presentation provides an overview of eligibility requirements, including program, project and homeowner eligibility levels. As presented to the National League of Cities, March 2017 IBTS Presentation: Eligibility Requirements (PowerPoint)

IBTS Presentation: Understanding Subrecipient Agreements

An overview of subrecipient agreements, including the definition of a subrecipient, how subrecipients differ from contractors, procurement of subrecipients, evaluating risks, the role of common interests and closeout compliance. As presented by IBTS to the National League of Cities, March 2017. Understanding Subrecipient Agreements (PowerPoint)

Tips for Improving Program Compliance Oversight

  For Margarita Abramov, New York City contract and compliance administrator for IBTS, the process of improving compliance policies and procedures is never quite finished. “There’s always room for improvement,” she says. Abramov was responsible for program compliance oversight for recovery programs in New York City after Hurricane Sandy, a situation she notes was extreme… Read more

What is the Super Circular?

The Super Circular or Omni Circular, officially called the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 C.F.R. Part 200) went into effect on December 26, 2014, to increase the accessibility and impact of federal program funds by decreasing time spent complying with burdensome administrative requirements and better protect against waste,… Read more

Legislative History of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

The following summarizes the history of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The early post-Great Depression legislative measures from 1932 – 1938 stimulated housing construction in the U.S. Emergency Relief and Reconstruction Act of 1932 P.L. 75 – 432 First major U.S. relief legislation. Passed by Congress… Read more

Case Studies in Flood Plain Regulation: Challenges and Opportunities in Preparing for Climate Change

This report highlights the efforts of two communities to strengthen regulations after catastrophic flood events: Cedar Falls, Iowa and Waveland, Mississippi. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are created to guide insurance premiums based on historical floods occurring within either 100 or 500 years, and these case studies are designed to help communities consider how they… Read more

The Price of Resilience: Can Multifamily Housing Afford to Adapt?

This report explores the challenges to retrofitting multifamily housing in New York City after Hurricane Sandy and reports the results of a workshop in which designers, engineers and other experts identified cost-effective retrofit strategies for NYC’s multifamily units in the floodplain. Urban areas with similar challenges can use this as an example of how to… Read more

NYC Hurricane Sandy After-Action Report

This provides a summary of recommended improvements to New York City’s operations based on operations before, during and after Hurricane Sandy. The report notes that it is not an exhaustive list of all lessons learned in Hurricane Sandy; rather, it is intended to provide “a roadmap of the strategic steps the City will take to… Read more

Lessons Learned from Irene: Climate Change, Federal Disaster Relief, and Barriers to Adoptive Reconstruction

This case study examines the challenges encountered by Vermont localities affected by Hurricane Irene when trying to use federal disaster relief funds to increase resilience of their communities, particularly in transportation systems and infrastructure. Following Irene, Vermont encountered legal barriers when FEMA initially refused to reimburse communities for the added costs of rebuilding roads and… Read more

Post-Disaster Town Hall Meeting Tips for State Representatives

The post-disaster town hall meeting, is one of the first and most important opportunities for the regional state emergency management office to update an impacted locality on the state assistance and equipment being provided. Click here to download a post-disaster town hall meeting agenda template, and here for press releases and agendas used by other localities.… Read more