U.S. Representative Rodney L. Davis (IL - 13) issued the following announcement on June 16.
U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (R-IL) and French Hill (R-AR) are urging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide answers and clear guidance for local units of government and non-profits regarding billions of dollars of unspent federal rental assistance funds that were appropriated under the CARES Act.
Rental assistance program funds appropriated under the CARES Act are administered by local units of government and non-profits, like Dove Inc. in Decatur. On May 24, the Washington Post published an article that highlighted roadblocks individuals in Decatur and across the country who are in need have faced when applying for federal rental assistance.
On May 25, after reading the Washington Post article, Rep. Davis met with officials from Dove and the City of Decatur to hear their concerns and issues they face in administering rental assistance funds. At the time, Rep. Davis stated, “Too much red tape is preventing nonprofits from helping those in need. Families facing a housing crisis caused by the pandemic who are eligible for assistance and landlords shouldn’t be disqualified because they cannot provide extensive documentation proving need. It’s a problem when people can’t access programs that were set up specifically for them. Our office has reached out to HUD and is working to see if there is a regulatory or legislative solution to this issue.
From Reps. Davis and Hill’s letter to HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge:
Dear Secretary Fudge,
We write to request information regarding the use of funds appropriated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (PL 116-136) to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the purpose of rental assistance.
Recent reports demonstrate an alarming problem related to the length of time it has taken for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding to reach the individuals and families for whom the funds were intended, and further issues with entities being able to distribute funds in a timely manner due to a lack of clear guidance from the Department.
Given the slow state of economic recovery due to forced shutdowns over the course of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and a variety of factors that continue to contribute to high rates of unemployment, it is unacceptable that out of $46.5 billion in additional funds, the Department has failed to issue clear and concise guidelines to the local governments and non-profit entities responsible for distributing these funds.
Therefore, we respectfully request further information regarding the following questions:
1. What guidance has the Department released to nonprofit and local entities directing how these funds should be allocated and released?
2. What is the Department doing to ensure that CDBG and ESG funds are reaching the individuals for which the programs were designed?
3. Regarding recent financial summaries of the HUD dollars appropriated via the CARES Act, approximately 10 percent of funds from the Community Planning and Development Office have been spent by people it was designed for. What is the Department doing to ensure that the remaining 90 percent of funds are properly allocated, and when does the Department anticipate 100 percent of funds being spent?
Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.
Original source can be found here.