Community Development Block Grant Funds in Disaster Relief and Recovery

Publication Date: October 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Banking and finance

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Abstract:

In the aftermath of previous, presidentially-declared disasters, Congress has used the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to help states and local governments finance recovery efforts, whether from natural or man-made disasters. Congress has appropriated supplemental CDBG funds to assist states and communities recover from such natural disasters as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. In addition, CDBG funds have supported recovery efforts of New York City following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Oklahoma City following the bombing of the Alfred Murrah Building in 1995, and the city and county of Los Angeles following the riots of 1992. In response to these calamities, CDBG funds have been made available for short-term relief efforts, mitigation actions, and long-term recovery, and have been used to provide housing and business assistance, infrastructure reconstruction, and public services. This report will provide a general overview of the CDBG program and its use in disaster relief. This report will be updated as events warrant.