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Martin County approves CDBG‑CV documents and readies RFP to deploy rental and utility aid
Summary
Martin County commissioners approved CDBG‑CV grant documents and authorized a request for proposals for grant program management on Jan. 5, 2021. County staff said funds will be used for up to six months of rent and utility assistance, with distribution contingent on NC Commerce eligibility, income verification and avoiding duplication of benefits.
Martin County commissioners unanimously approved documents needed to move forward with federal CDBG‑CV funding and authorized a request for proposals for grant program management at a special meeting on Jan. 5, 2021.
Interim County Manager Cindy Ange told the board the county's CDBG‑CV award is intended to provide up to six months of emergency rent and utility assistance for residents who suffered hardships because of COVID‑19. Ange said the county will execute the grant agreement, then issue an RFP to hire an experienced CDBG grant administrator to support technical tasks such as income verification and ensuring compliance with program rules.
The board was briefed on distribution conditions: assistance payments and the number of households the county can help will be contingent on eligibility determinations by NC Commerce, verification of each household's income, and confirmation there is no duplication of benefits. Ange said the county will set a per‑household cap to help as many households as possible and will prioritize very low‑ and low‑income residents over moderate‑income households.
Chairman Ronnie Smith acknowledged the gap between the county's Oct. 16, 2020 announcement of the award and the Jan. 5 meeting, noting many constituents had called about when funds would be available. "We are all in this together," Smith said, and he told residents and landlords that staff would try to expedite the required steps and would notify the public when applications are available.
Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond moved to approve the CDBG‑CV documents and the RFP for grant program management services; Commissioner David "Skip" Gurganus seconded. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
Next steps: county staff will execute the grant agreement, issue the RFP to hire a grant administrator, and publish application availability once the required administrative steps and NC Commerce eligibility verifications are complete. The board did not provide dollar amounts or a per‑household cap in the public discussion; those details will be determined through the RFP and NC Commerce guidance.
The board meets next on Jan. 13, 2021.
