CDBG CARES - MARICOPA COUNTY.PDF

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 
WASHINGTON, DC  20410-7000 
 
 
ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR 
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT 
 
 
www.hud.gov                espanol.hud.gov 
 
 
April 2, 2020 
 
 
 
The Honorable Clint Hickman 
Chairman, Board of Supervisors of Maricopa County 
301 W Jefferson Street 
10th Floor 
Phoenix, AZ 85003-2143 
 
Dear Chairman, Board of Supervisors Hickman: 
 
I am pleased to inform you of a special allocation to your jurisdiction of Community 
Development Block Grant funds to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus 
(COVID-19).  This allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic 
Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, which was signed by President Trump on March 
27, 2020, to respond to the growing effects of this historic public health crisis.   
 
The CARES Act made available $5 billion in Community Development Block Grant 
Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds.  Of this amount, the Department is immediately allocating $2 
billion based on the fiscal year 2020 CDBG formula.  The remaining $3 billion shall be allocated 
based on needs using best available data, in the following tranches: $1 billion shall be allocated to 
States and insular areas within 45 days of enactment of the Cares Act, and $2 billion shall be 
distributed to states and local governments at the discretion of the Secretary.  Up to $10 million will 
be set aside for technical assistance.  Given the immediate needs faced by our communities, the 
Department has announced the first allocation of funds.  Your jurisdiction’s allocation is 
$1,886,379. 
 
The CARES Act adds additional flexibility for both the CDBG-CV grant and, in some cases, 
for the annual FY2020 CDBG grants in these unprecedented times.  The public comment period is 
reduced to not less than 5 days, grantees may use virtual public hearings when necessary for public 
health reasons, the public services cap is suspended during the emergency, and States and local 
governments may reimburse costs of eligible activities incurred for pandemic response regardless of 
the date.   
 
In addition, the CARES Act authorizes the Secretary to grant waivers and alternative 
requirements of statutes and regulations the Secretary administers in connection with the use of 
CDBG-CV funds and fiscal year 2019 and 2020 CDBG funds (except for requirements related to 
fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment).  Waivers and alternative 
requirements can be granted when necessary to expedite and facilitate the use of funds to prevent, 
prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.  
 
The Department is developing a notice that will further describes the CARES Act’s

provisions, a Quick Guide to the CARES Act flexibilities and other provisions, and other resources 
to enable swift implementation of CDBG-CV grants.  As these become available, they will be 
posted on HUD’s website and distributed to grantees.  The Department will also support grantees 
with technical assistance.   
 
As you develop your plan for the use of these grant funds, we encourage you to consider 
approaches that prioritize the unique needs of low- and moderate–income persons and the 
development of partnerships between all levels of government and the private for-profit and non-
profit sectors.  You should coordinate with state and local health authorities before undertaking any 
activity to support state or local pandemic response.  CDBG-CV grants will be subject to oversight, 
reporting, and requirements that each grantee have adequate procedures to prevent the duplication 
of benefits.  HUD will provide guidance and technical assistance on DOB and regarding prevention 
of fraud, waste, and abuse and documenting the impact of this program for beneficiaries.   
 
The Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) is looking forward to working 
with you to successfully meet the urgent and complex challenges faced by our communities. If you 
or any member of your staff has questions, please contact your local CPD Field Office Director or 
CPDQuestionsAnswered@hud.gov. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
John Gibbs 
Acting Assistant Secretary  
  for Community Planning and Development 
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development