New for 2010 & Important Reminders

1. New for 2010 & Important Reminders

2. New for 2010 – Admin costs • Administration allowed as cash match • Dollar amounts and percentages must be reasonable • Reminder -- Administration allowed as leverage • Dollar amounts and percentages must be reasonable Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

3. New for 2010 – Appendix O • Applicable beginning with the 2008 Competition • Especially important to water and sewer projects • Review panels access both water and sewer rate dashboards and local government audits during the review process • “Rule of thumb” is 1.25% of MHI for water and 1.25% for sewer Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

4. New for 2010 – Appendix O • Discuss financial alternatives • Provide a financial projection of water and sewer rates • Provide turndown letters • Don’t leave us looking at online information without making your case! • Lot’s of cash? • Below rule of thumb? • No discussion of alternatives? Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

5. New for 2010 – Appendix O See the following link for dashboards… http://www.efc.unc.edu/RatesDashboards/ga.htm Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

6. New for 2010 – Appendix P • Applicants must: • Discuss plans for implementing Section 3 requirements along with other applicable laws and regulations (e.g., the Uniform Act) • A brief, thorough description of plans for implementing Section 3 requirements will enhance an applicant’s chances of receiving the maximum score on Feasibility. Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

7. New for 2010 – Drainage Standards • DOT standards identify a 25-year flood design standard for local road drainage improvements. Standards greater than 25 years must be explained and justified in the CDBG application Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

8. New for 2010 – RAS Deadlines • All RAS applications, annual updates, or renewals must be submitted in full no later than April 1, 2010 in order for RAS benefits to be applicable to the 2010 Annual Competition • Including but not limited to the ability to apply for CDBG funds in RAS areas every year and bonus points. Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

9. New for 2010 – Sole Source Approvals • Description of the procurement process • Tear sheet of the Request for Proposals • List of the active, qualified consultants or engineers/architects that were mailed the Request for Proposals • Certified return receipt documentation Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

10. New for 2010 – Water & Sewer Hookups • HUD has made clear that water and sewer hookups on private property cannot be paid for with CDBG funds unless the household served is low- to moderate-income Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

11. New for 2010 – Water & Sewer Hookups • Applicants should discuss how water and sewer hookups, water and sewer service line replacements, and septic tank closures will be paid for in order to increase the likelihood of a maximum score • Note that water and sewer laterals from the street to the private property line are eligible CDBG expenses regardless of income Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

12. New for 2010 – Water & Sewer Hookups • Applicants should indicate that all target area households will be connected to the CDBG-proposed improvements (and all septic tanks properly closed, if applicable) in order to increase the likelihood of a maximum score Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

13. New for 2010 – Water & Sewer Hookups • DCA will accept as documentation of low- and moderate-income status area surveys that are three years old or less • Applicants may require additional documentation of low- and moderate-income status at the time of project implementation if so desired Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

14. New for 2010 – Water & Sewer Hookups • Applicants may decide whether to use their own funds to pay for non-low- and moderate-income hookups, to require property owners to pay for non-low- and moderate-income hookups, or to require property owners, regardless of income, to pay for hookups. Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

15. New for 2010 – Water & Sewer Hookups • Local funds used to pay for hookups may be counted as match or leverage • Local governments opting to pay for hookups may wish to check with their local attorney • Local governments may have the option of adding a small surcharge to monthly water and sewer bills to cover the cost of hookups Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

16. Reminders – Budgets Round to the nearest dollar! Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

17. Reminders - Photographs • All sets of photographs must be in color • Photographs should be dated • Assists in showing prevalence and frequency Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

18. Reminders – Maps • We still see missing concentration maps • LMI, substandard housing, and minority concentrations • Omitting maps can result in lower scores • Omitting maps can raise FHEO concerns Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

19. Reminders – Joint Applications • Required when less than 51% of beneficiaries are located in applicant’s jurisdiction • DCA may grant exceptions, but only in writing • Request an exception no later than March 1, 2010 Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

20. Reminders – Presumed Benefit • Presumed benefit only applies to LMC projects • Common example • Nursing homes in a TA must be surveyed Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

21. Reminders – 80/20 Rule • Generally, grants will not be made to communities who have utilized over 80% of the proposed grant period and have expended less than 20% of their CDBG funds and have not awarded their primary construction contract(s) Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

22. Reminders – Potential Strategy Issue • Local governments with high cash balances should explain why they are not being used for their proposed CDBG project Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

23. Existing Recipients • Make sure wire instructions are correct • Sec 3 Reporting Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp

24. Conclusion • Presentations on needed Census Info • 1512 Reporting Intro. to CDBG Boot Camp