Lee County keeps individual housing assistance budget intact, seeks HUD flexibility as pre-applications open

Lee County staff told commissioners on May 20 that the board’s proposed amendment to the Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) action plan will not reduce funding for the Lee Cares Individual Housing Assistance program, and that the county will return to the board to reallocate any leftover funds after awards are made.

"This action plan amendment does not change that budget allocation for that particular program," the county’s presenter said during the meeting, adding the county expects to "dramatically underspend this category" and will "come back to the board, to true that up, so that you know how much money you actually have remaining in that program." The presenter estimated available recovery funding at just over $100,000,000.

Staff said the pre-application window for hurricane-relief programs tied to storms Helene and Milton is open and that residents can apply through the county website, by phone, or in person at the county’s outreach center.

Commissioners asked whether the county could ask HUD for waivers to expand eligibility. County staff said a waiver request for the Hurricane Ian allocation — to reduce the requirement that at least 70% of funds be spent on low- and moderate-income households down to 50% — has been pending with HUD since last November. "That has been pending since last November. It is not yet approved," staff said. Staff said they will intensify outreach to HUD and may engage federal delegation offices to press for a decision.

Commissioners were also briefed that some residents had misunderstood concurrent agenda items and worried that funds were being diverted from individual housing assistance to infrastructure; staff clarified that the action plan amendment under consideration does not reallocate the Lee Cares housing funds and that the infrastructure discussion earlier in the meeting affects different accounts.

No separate board vote was required on the informational briefing; staff said they will return to the board to reconcile actual award amounts and seek direction on reprogramming any remaining dollars after housing awards are finalized.

Ending: Staff urged residents with storm damage to apply during the open pre-application window and said the county will report back to the board with precise award totals and any recommended reprogramming of leftover CDBG-DR dollars once individual housing assistance awards are complete.