Purpose

Hurricane Ian devastated southwest Florida, making landfall on September 28, 2022 as a Category 4 hurricane with strong winds, heavy rainfall and severe flooding. Nearly a month-and-a-half later, Hurricane Nicole struck the east coast of Florida on November 10, 2022. It was announced in March of 2023 that, to help underserved communities in hard-hit areas recover from disasters, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated $2.7 billion to communities throughout Florida. Orange County will receive a total of $219,712,000, to include $191,054,000 for unmet needs and $28,658,000 for mitigation, to address community impacts and damages associated with Hurricane Ian.

CDBG-DR is HUD funding provided as a special appropriation by Congress to assist with long-term recovery following a Presidentially-declared disaster. It is a flexible set of funds that allow to deploy funding to carry out a wide range of activities related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, and mitigation of risk associated with activities carried out for this purpose.

This webpage provides information related to the development of a CDBG-DR Action Plan and associated timeline, community engagement initiatives and many ways for Orange County residents to get involved, programs funded with CDBG-DR and program policies and procedures (more information to follow), quarterly reporting on expenditure of CDBG-DR funds and funded activities and outcomes, and procurement information.

CDBG-DR Timeline

A timeline of Orange County’s disaster recovery actions related to Hurricane Ian is summarized below. The timeline will be updated with the most recent information as it becomes available.

  • September 28, 2022: Hurricane Ian makes landfall.
  • March 15, 2023: HUD Press Release announces that Orange County will receive $219,712,000 in CDBG-DR funding to support long-term resiliency in response to Hurricane Ian.
  • May 18, 2023: HUD published the Federal Register guidance formally announcing the allocation of CDBG-DR funds and the regulations guiding the administration of these funds.
  • July 20, 2023: Orange County submitted Financial Management and Grant Compliance Certification to HUD as part of the Action Plan development process for CDBG-DR funds.
  • September/October 2023: Community engagement and outreach process for CDBG-DR funds. Community meetings are being held in each of the Commission Districts. See the confirmed dates and locations HERE.
  • November 2023 (estimate): Draft Action Plan will be published for a 30-day public comment period.
  • December 2024 (estimate): BCC public hearing for the CDBG-DR Action Plan.
  • January 2024 (estimate): Action Plan will be submitted to HUD for review and approval.
  • Early 2024 (estimate): Upon approval of the Action Plan by HUD, the CDBG-DR program will launch.

Community Meetings

Community meetings are being held in each of the six County commission districts to solicit input from the residents in the affected areas regarding unmet needs related to the disaster, and their priorities and preferences in allocation of CDBG-DR funds. The confirmed dates, locations, and meetings summaries are available HERE.

2023 Federal Register

The Federal Register provides guidance on HUD program requirements to state and local governments.

CDBG Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding is authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. Public Laws are the appropriation acts that provide funding for each disaster. In addition to any requirements cited in the appropriation acts, the CDBG regulations in 24 CFR 570 apply to CDBG-DR funds. Any waivers and alternative requirements applicable to specific disasters are identified in Federal Register Notices issued by HUD.

Reference Materials

HUD Exchange website contains comprehensive materials and guidance related to administration of CDBG-DR funds awarded to communities to help recover from Presidentially declared disasters.

Learn more about the requirements in the CDBG-DR Consolidated Notice and each phase of the grant process.

Contact Us

  • Orange County Housing and Community Development Division
  • ATTN: CDBG-DR Program
  • 525 E. South Street
    Orlando, FL 32801
  • Email: Disaster.Recovery@ocfl.net
  • Phone: (407) 836-5150