Equal Access Rule Assessment Tool Now AvailableThe Equal Access Rule Assessment Tool has been updated and re-released. This tool provides specific action steps for HUD recipients and subrecipients to meet the requirements of the Equal Access Rule in shelters and other facility settings.The tool covers:Requirements regarding the creation of policies and proceduresThe responsibility to train staff and contractorsCommunication to residents about their rights and protectionsThree action steps are provided based on the assessment responses and the most critical steps necessary for creating inclusive and safe access. The provider can retake the assessment for new priority steps at any time. This is a companion tool to the Equal Access Guide for Transgender People: Supporting Inclusive Housing and Shelters and Equal Access Training Scenarios.Access the ToolFor additional…

CDBG-DR November 2021 Reports Now PostedThe latest versions of the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Monthly Performance Reports are now posted on the HUD Exchange. You may access them from the CDBG-DR Reports page.CDBG-DR Monthly Reports as of November 1, 2021:2008 Grants Targeted for CloseoutCDBG-DR Affordable Rental Housing ExpendituresDisaster Recovery Enhancement Fund ExpendituresCDBG-DR Grant Expenditure ReportDue to the COVID-19 National Emergency, HUD has suspended publication of the Monthly CDBG-DR Grant Financial Report. HUD will continue to evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 National Emergency on grantee expenditures to determine when it will be appropriate to resume publication of the Monthly CDBG-DR Grant Financial Report. In the interim, the public is encouraged to reference the Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting System (DRGR)…

Office Hours: Detection and Mitigation of COVID-19 in Homeless Service Sites and other Congregate Facilities – November 3, 2021 – 3:00 PM EDTNew to homeless services and looking to understand how to contribute to limiting the impact of COVID-19 in your community?Forgotten the role of public health controls on containing COVID-19?Interested in hearing about how one community is implementing a comprehensive testing strategy focused on individuals experiencing homelessness?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) and HUD are hosting Office Hours on November 3, 2021 at 3:00 PM EDT! This Office Hours is the first in a series that will be highlighting best practices for communities to prevent,…

ESG Recipient CAPER Training – November 9, 2021 – 2:30 PM ESTSage HMIS Reporting Repository (Sage) has been updated with a new Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program. Beginning with the jurisdiction’s 2021 report (i.e., recipient program years ending in 2021) all financial and project outcome information will be included in the CAPER in Sage. This report in Sage will replace all ESG sections of CAPER in the eCon Planning Suite’s annual CAPER except for screen CR-60.HUD is providing a training session on ESG CAPER reporting in Sage on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM EST.Joining InstructionsParticipants do not need to register in advance. It is strongly recommended that you join the…

Register Today: CDBG CARES Act Webinar Series: Co-Managing Disaster Recovery and CARES Act Programs – November 17, 2021 – 1:00 PM ESTCDBG Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds are used to recover from Presidentially declared disasters for which they were appropriated. CDBG Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds must be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. Many CDBG-CV grantees have existing CDBG-DR allocations.This webinar will focus on the grantees who have both allocations, examining the similarities and differences between them, eligible activities, and how one program can enhance the other.This webinar is part of the CDBG CARES Act Webinar Series which provides CDBG-CV grantees and subrecipients with important information on how these funds can be used to help communities prevent, prepare for,…

SNAPS In Focus: Evaluating Our COVID-19 PreparednessThis message was originally sent out on the SNAPS HUD.gov mailing list. HUD Exchange is redistributing this message for awareness. Instructions to subscribe to the HUD.gov listserv are located at the end of this message.The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) strongly encourages local homelessness providers and community leaders to enhance and expand infection control measures, including by re-implementing measures that may have been rolled back. HUD administers grant programs funding hundreds of projects that serve individuals experiencing homelessness. The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and Continuum of Care (CoC) programs provide services, housing, and critical lifesaving resources like emergency shelter. The emergence of the Delta variant has caused high COVID transmission rates…

Register Today: Navigating Federal Funding for Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions Webinar – November 2, 2021 – 11:00 AM EDTThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal members of the Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative are hosting the first webinar in a new series of webcasts. During this webcast, federal agencies will discuss funding and technical assistance opportunities that advance the implementation of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Attendees will learn how federal programs are helping build vibrant and resilient communities with programs that support the design, construction, and maintenance of green infrastructure. Breakout sessions hosted by Collaborative members will provide attendees with the opportunity to pose questions and interact directly with representatives from federal agencies.Speakers:Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Charley Carson, Bradley…

New and Improved Resource Library for DCTA Recipients and Smaller Distressed CommunitiesThe Distressed Cities and Persistent Poverty Technical Assistance (DCTA) Resources Library was recently improved! The new Search All Resources feature allows users to search resource titles and descriptions by key words or phrases. Resources such as Reports, Studies, and Guidance are now organized by topic, and each section can be opened and collapsed to focus on shorter lists. The resources are sorted by date, so the most recent information appears at the top.This library of resources, relevant to DCTA recipients and smaller distressed communities, features a wide range of resources, reports, webinars and funding opportunities that might be of interest to small governments, tribal organizations and non-profits, including COVID-19 recovery…

Reminder: Register Today: CDBG CARES Act Webinar Series: Using CDBG-CV for Rural Economic Development – October 28, 2021 – 2:00 PM EDTThe Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) makes $5 billion in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) response funds available to CDBG grantees. The CDBG-CV Federal Register Notice (FR-6218-N-01) was released on August 7, 2020. The notice describes the allocations and grant procedures applicable to the CDBG-CV grants. It also describes the program flexibilities, waivers, and alternative requirements that apply to the CDBG-CV grants as well as the fiscal year 2019 and 2020 CDBG grants.This is the companion webinar to the CDBG-CV Rural Economic Development Quick Guide. The webinar will be presented in a panel format and…

COVID-19 Resource Digest for Homeless Providers – October 26, 2021The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) calls for enhanced cooperation between public health authorities, homeless service systems, and other partners at the local level. To support these partnerships and the vulnerable households served, HUD and its partners are issuing guidance from subject matter experts on best practices and lessons learned.This digest contains recently published resources from HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) and its national, state, and local partners.New ResourcesESG-CV Expense ToolsUpcoming Office HoursDate and Time: November 5, 2021 at 2:30 PM EDTPlease note: There will be no Office Hours held on Friday, October 29, 2021.Additional ResourcesVisit the Disease Risks and Homelessness page to access technical assistance materials from HUD…