U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Pittsburgh Field Of?ce

William S. Moorhead Federal Building

1000 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1000

Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4004

    

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Ms. Mary Jo Thompson

Director

WV Development Office

Capitol Complex, Bldg. 6, Room 553
Charleston, WV 25305

Dear Ms. Thompson:
Subject: West Virginia Action Plan

The Department is pleased to approve the State of West Virginia?s Action Plan for
Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funds appropriated under
the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 114?223), which provided $104,280,000
to the State for long-term recovery from major storms and flooding events that occurred in 2016.
Of this amount, the State has allocated $64,378,950 to an owner?occupied housing rehabilitation
program, $16,000,000 to affordable rental housing programs, $12,440,000 to hazard mitigation
grant match, $2,080,000 for bridge home replacement, $2,500,000 for Clendenin and the
remaining $6,881,050 for administration and planning activities. As reminder, at least 80% of the
total award amount must be spent within the four ?most impacted? areas (Greenbrier, Kanawha,
Clay and Nicholas Counties) which HUD identified in the November 21, 2016, Federal Register
Notice (81 FR 83254).

Please note, funds received under this appropriation must be used for the necessary
expenses related to disaster relief, long?term recovery and restoration of infrastructure, housing,
and revitalization in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a major disaster
declared in 2016. Additionally, the November 21, 2016, Federal Register Notice requires
grantees to primarily consider and address unmet housing needs; however, the Notice allows
grantees to allocate funds to address unmet economic revitalization and infrastructure needs. In
doing so, grantees must identify how any remaining unmet housing needs will be addressed or
how its economic revitalization or infrastructure activities will contribute to the long?term
recovery and restoration of housing in the most impacted and distressed areas. The State has
allocated all the funds, save administration and planning costs, to housing programs, as required
by the Notice.

The State has identified substantial housing needs in the disaster impacted communities,
but also identified significant economic factors that impact the disaster affected areas, from
before and exacerbated by the ?ooding. In the forthcoming Action Plan amendment related to
additional funding provided under Public Law 114-254, the State should examine whether there
is a need for public service or economic revitalization activities to complement the planned
housing activities g. training local contractors so who want to contract with the government,
but may not meet all the licensing and bonding requirements). The Department?s review of the

 

Phone (412) 644?6428 Fax (412) 644-6499 Web gov

amendment will focus on the State?s updated analysis of unmet needs and accompanying
program proposals to ensure funds are distributed to address the identified needs.

Upon final approval of the State?s certifications and risk assessment documentation
packages, the Department will provide the grant agreement to obligate these funds. The date that
the Department signs the grant agreement is the date on which the funds are obligated.
Additionally, the State?s line of credit for this grant will be established once the funds have been
obligated. Please provide the names and email addresses of State staff who will need access to
the line of credit. Please be advised that the State of West Virginia is required to report on its use
of funds outlined in the Action Plan through the Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting
(DRGR) system. The DRGR reporting requirements are outlined in detail in the Federal Register
Notice as well as ongoing policy guidance developed by the Office of Block Grant Assistance,
Disaster Recovery and Special Issues Division.

The Department remains committed to assisting the State of West Virginia in its efforts to
recover from the devastating effects of the 2016 flooding disasters, and looks forward to working
with you and your staff in partnership to address the State's long?term recovery needs. If you or
any members of your staff have any questions, please contact Jill K. Moyer, Senior CPD
Representative at 412-644?5487 or ill.K.Mover@hud.gov.

Sincerely,

. 
a ?ner it
John A. Tolbert, 

Director, Community Planning
and DeveIOpment Division

cc: Julie Alston, Charleston Field Office Director