State Community Development Block Grant Hurricane Disaster Recovery Program

Report of an audit of the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Hurricane Disaster Recovery Program for hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast States from Aug. 2005 through Sept. 2008. The objective was to assess the program overall. Specifically, the goal of this audit was to (1) determine what had been accomplished using the funding and the funds remaining to be spent; (2) compare actual versus project performnce; and (3) identify best practices, issues, and lessons to be learned. The audit found that generally, HUD”S Hurricane Disaster Recovery Program assisted the Gulf Coast States’ recovery, but that some program improvements are need. It recommends ways that HUD could improve the Hurricane Disaster Recovery Program by working with its stakeholders. Figures and tables. This is a print on demand report.

Almost 4 years after the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, the region continues to face daunting rebuilding challenges. To date, $19.7 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been appropriated for Gulf Coast rebuilding assistance -- the largest amount in the history of the program. This is a report on: (1) how Louisiana and Mississippi allocated their shares of CDBG funds; (2) what difficulties Louisiana faced in administering its housing recovery program; and (3) what human capital challenges Louisiana and Mississippi encountered and the efforts taken to address those challenges. The author interviewed fed. and state officials and reviewed budget data, fed. regulations, and state policies and planning documents. Tables and charts.

Almost 4 years after the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, the region continues to face daunting rebuilding challenges. To date, $19.7 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been appropriated for Gulf Coast rebuilding assistance-the largest amount in the history of the program. GAO was asked to report on (1) how Louisiana and Mississippi allocated their shares of CDBG funds, (2) what difficulties Louisiana faced in administering its housing recovery program, and (3) what human capital challenges Louisiana and Mississippi encountered and the efforts taken to address those challenges. GAO interviewed federal and state officials and reviewed budget data, federal regulations, and state policies and planning documents.

Gulf Coast Disaster Recovery: Community Development Block Grant Program Guidance to States Needs to Be Improved