CDBG-MITIGATION
CDBG-MIT
Action Plan
As with CDBG-DR, VIHFA must submit a distinct CDBG-MIT Action Plan, which now is due to HUD no later than January 4, 2021.
The Territory’s CDBG-MIT Action Plan must meet the requirements set forth by HUD in Federal Register Vol. 84, No. 169 (August 30, 2019), 84 FR 45838, and Federal Register Vol. 85 No. 17 (January 27, 2020), 85 FR 4676. In general, these requirements include:
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Connecting mitigation programs and projects to identify risks in the Territory.
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A Mitigation Needs Assessment, which takes into consideration characteristics and impacts of current and future hazards that put at risk indispensable infrastructure and services.
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Consideration of the potential impacts that mitigation activities may have on the seven (7) community lifelines encompassed in the nationwide planning model set forth by FEMA and adopted by HUD, which include:
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Energy
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Health and Medical
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Safety and Security
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Communication accessibility
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Hazardous Materials
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Transportation
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Long-term planning and risk mitigation considerations that promote local and regional planning and implementation are informed by the Mitigation Needs Assessment in consultation with the public, the private sector, and government agencies.
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Robust citizen participation through the scheduling of at least five (5) public hearings held at different times in the planning process to seek community input.
Overview
The Mitigation Grant is designed to increase resilience to disasters, aiming to eliminate long-term risks to life, property, and infrastructure. Unlike Disaster Recovery grants, this program focuses on reducing the impact of future disasters through proactive measures.
Grant Allocation
This 12-year grant, expiring in 2035, totals $774,188,000. The funds are distributed as follows:
- Infrastructure and Public Facilities: $418.2 million
- Housing: $192.7 million
- Economic Resilience and Revitalization: $76.7 million
- Public Services, Planning, and Administration: $86.5 million
Key Developments
- Launch: The grant was successfully launched in January 2024.
- Amendments: Two substantial amendments have been submitted to HUD.
- First Amendment: Approved for the propane infrastructure acquisition at WAPA, amounting to $145 million.
- Second Amendment: Submitted on May 7, focusing on the Veterans Drive Mitigation Improvement Project. This $124.4 million project aims to mitigate flooding and erosion, reduce congestion, and enhance access to community lifelines.
This initiative demonstrates our commitment to building a more resilient and prepared community for future challenges.
What is CDBG-MIT?
Hurricanes Irma and Maria had a devastating impact on the United States Virgin Islands. The two back-to-back Category 5 storms in September 2017 caused significant destruction to housing, infrastructure, and the economy in the Territory.
HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Program supports strategic and high-impact activities to mitigate disaster risks and reduce future losses by lessening the impact of future disasters.
HUD mitigation activities increase resilience to disasters, reducing or eliminating the long-term risk of loss of life, injury, damage to and loss of property, and suffering and hardship. Learn more about the CDBG-MIT Program.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) manages this money, submitting to HUD the Territory’s CDBG-MIT Action Plan prior to expending the CDBG-MIT funds. The plan proposes activities to address unmet infrastructure and public facilities, economic resilience, housing, public services, and planning needs, in accordance with HUD requirements, rules, regulations, and public input, using data-driven decision making to establish priorities.
CDBG-MIT Programs
Applicant Eligibility
Under the CDBG-Mitigation Program, VIHFA partners with:
– Units of the Government of the USVI (autonomous and semi-autonomous instrumentalities)
– Providers (nonprofits and for-profits) of supporting services for vulnerable populations.
– Developers
Public Outreach Meetings
VIHFA has held a series of virtual and in-person public meetings during the development of the action plans for citizens affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria since the global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) of 2020.
View Public Outreach Meetings
VIHFA hosted a Town Hall meeting via Go To Meeting and telephone to provide an overview on the CDBG-MIT Federal Register, outlining the rules and regulations tied to the Territory’s allocation and gathering comment.
July 9, 2020 –VIHFA hosted a Town Hall meeting via Zoom, telephone, and simulcast on Facebook Liveto provide an overview on the CDBG-MIT Federal Register, outlining the rules and regulations tied to the Territory’s allocation and gathering comments.
August 6, 2020 – VIHFA hosted a Town Hall meeting via Zoom and simulcast on radio station 107.9FM Da Vybe to provide an overview of the CDBG-MIT Federal Register, outlining the rules and regulations tied to the Territory’s allocation and gathering comments.
November 12, 2020– VIHFA hosted a Town Hall meeting via Zoom and simulcast on Facebook Live to receive feedback and comments following the publication of the Action Plan Draft.
November 19, 2020 – VIHFA hosted a Town Hall meeting via Zoom and simulcast on Facebook Live to receive feedback and comments following the publication of the Action Plan Draft.
December 3, 2020 VIHFA hosted a Town Hall meeting via Zoom and simulcast on Facebook Live to receive feedback and comments following the publication of the Action Plan Draft.
Resources and Helpful Links
- Public Hearing 1 Mitigation Substantial Amendment (Virtual)
- Public Hearing 2 Mitigation Substantial Amendment (STX)
- Public Hearing 3 Mitigation Substantial Amendment (STT)
- Translated copy of CDBG-MIT Action Plan with VITOL Covered Project Revisions – Spanish
- VIHFA CDBG-MIT Substantial Amendment
- VIHFA CDBG-MIT Substantial Amendment Spanish
- CDBG-MIT Substantial Amendment No. 1
- CDBG-MIT Substantial Amendment No. 2
- Quarterly Reporting