Posted on: January 23rd, 2015

Hi All,

Garry wanted me to send you this, it just went out to the floodinfo listserv.

Katie Arrington, Flood Recovery Specialist. Boulder County Commissioners’

Desk: 303-441-1609       Cell: 720-470-0964

Home Access

Overview- 2015 will show us transitioning away from program development and towards boots-on-the-ground bridge building.  We’ve made significant progress since program approval in September, and have seen positive developments from the State and HUD regarding flexibility with eligibility criteria.

We expect to soon execute a contract with the State for this program and soon thereafter finalize our own Boulder County Home Access guidelines. When these are approved by DOLA, we will be able to begin making funding awards to eligible households, and begin bridge engineering.

HUD has issued draft language that would permit Home Access to serve households whose homes are located in the floodway.  We are awaiting for the finalization of this new guidance, which we expect to receive in several weeks.

 

Kate Williams Flood Recovery Planner

Boulder County | Transportation Department

1301 Spruce Street | Boulder, CO 80302

Office: 720.564.2237

 

HMGP (also known as FEMA’s program, also known as the “404”)

As you may recall, we submitted our application to the Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in late August 2014. We had heard this agency would be reviewing our application and intended to send me clarifying questions regarding our application by the end of October 2014. We finally received that request for additional information last week. Overall, it seems like our application looked good. They sought clarification on a few things but there were no deal-breakers. We are responding to their questions now. We know the state forwarded the application to FEMA and I understand FEMA has 60 days to ask us for further clarification. I can’t tell you that everyone will be extended an offer. However, based on the questions they have asked me, it does seem promising. I am still hopeful we will be able to let you know for certain that we can extend an offer to you this Spring. That said, everything seems to take longer than I expect…

 

I think all of you are aware that Boulder County will be seeking funding for the 12.5% local match required from Boulder County by this program. This funding would come from the CDBG-DR program. If we are unable to get the local match, you, the homeowner would need to “fund” the local match by accepting 87.5% of the offer price that was extended to you rather than the full fair market value. We really hope this doesn’t happen and we will be advocating hard on your behalf to get this local match. Please contact your case manager if you have concerns about the local match or if you need assistance in any way. We might be able to help with temporary rental assistance or other unmet needs. If you don’t have a case manager, let me know and I will make sure you get one.

 

CDBG-DR Round 1

Funding was very limited for round 1 CDBG-DR – only $2M for Boulder County and Jamestown to share. We are still awaiting a contract from the state, program guidelines which clearly state eligibility and process requirements, and even the full complement of forms for you to complete. But the environmental assessments are underway! The first acquisition could occur as soon as February! This gives me hope for all of you (both programs!) who have been waiting these 16 long months. Next steps for the others in this first round are a notice to proceed (this happens once the environmental assessments are complete), Boulder County getting the ok to procure appraisers, sending property owners copies of the appraisals and offer letters, lots of paperwork, then scheduling the closings.

 

CDBG-DR Round 2

Similar to round 1, we are waiting on a contract, program guidelines, and forms. Just knowing that round 1 is moving forward gives me hope that round 2 won’t be far behind. That said, we probably won’t have more information for a few more months and closings probably won’t happen until mid-to-late 2015. I know this is a long and arduous process. Similar to HMGP, please contact your case manager if you need assistance in any way.

 

CDBG-DR can fully fund the pre-event fair market value of the property for acquisition. If for some reason we do not get the local match for HMGP, however, Boulder County will only offer the CDBG-DR acquisitions 87.5% of the pre-event value. I am very hopeful this will not happen – obtaining local match is our highest priority and all indications are that we will receive this vital piece of the funding pie.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions! I will do my best to check in with you more frequently. If you are no longer interested in the property acquisition program, please let me know and I will remove your name from the list. You can email or call – my direct phone number is 720.564.2623.
Abby Shannon, AICP 
Long Range Planning Manager, Boulder County Land Use
ashannon@nullbouldercounty.org  
303.441.3930

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