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Martin County approves CDBG-CV subsistence-payment subrecipient agreement to get emergency rent/utilities aid into community
Summary
The board approved a subrecipient agreement with Choanoke Area Development Association and Wooten Company support to disburse a $900,000 CDBG-CV award for up to six months of emergency rent, mortgage and utility assistance; county attorney described the agreement as “very protective.”
Martin County’s Board of Commissioners voted May 12 to approve a subrecipient agreement placing Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA) in charge of administering the county’s FY20 CDBG-CV Subsistence Payments Project, a $900,000 award intended to prevent evictions and utility disconnections.
County Manager James Bennett told the board that the funds (awarded through a CARES/ HUD allocation managed by the state) are intended to provide up to six months of emergency payments for rent, mortgage or utilities and to help residents avoid homelessness. The board-approved subrecipient arrangement designates CADA to operate the program locally while The Wooten Company will assist with grant-administration tasks and disbursements.
County Attorney reviewed the draft agreement and said the document was “very protective” of Martin County, and recommended proceeding. The board approved the agreement unanimously (motion Commissioner Gurganus; second Commissioner Biggs; vote 5-0).
Background and next steps: Martin County submitted the CDBG-CV application in September 2020 and received award notice October 16, 2020. Staff reported that, following the board action, administrative steps were under way that could enable fund disbursements as soon as mid-May, subject to state processing and federal grant rules. The Wooten Company — already contracted for other county grant and engineering work — will provide administrative support and income-verification assistance as part of the subrecipient arrangement.
The vote does not appropriate funds for particular households; eligibility rules, income verification and payment caps will be governed by the CDBG-CV program rules and the subrecipient agreement, and program details will be kept on file in the county manager’s office.
