Subject:
Title
Approval, HUD Urban County Agreements and Requalification for FY 2025, 2026, and 2027
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Fiscal Impact:
Fiscal Years 2025-2027: There will be no impact to the General Fund. Any identified projects will be approved by the Board of County Commissioners in Annual Action Plans and funded utilizing federal allocations.
Dept/Office:
Housing and Human Services
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners approve and authorize:
1. The urban county agreement re-qualification with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds,
2. The continuance of Cooperative Agreements with seven municipalities for fiscal years 2025, 2026 and 2027,
3. The County Attorney to send the attached, mandatory letter to HUD, and
4. The Director of the Housing and Human Services Department to transmit the renewed agreements and any supporting documents to HUD.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The Brevard County Housing and Human Services Department is re-applying for Urban County re-qualification status with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The process occurs every three (3) years. In order to be eligible to receive CDBG and HOME funds as an Urban County, Brevard County must qualify by having a total combined population of 200,000 or more (excluding metropolitan cities) from the unincorporated areas and participating incorporated municipalities.
The County has existing cooperative agreements with the seven municipalities of Cocoa Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Melbourne Village, Palm Shores, Rockledge, and Satellite Beach. The current Urban County agreements with the municipalities automatically renew for participants over 3-year qualification periods unless the County or municipalities provide written notice of an election not to participate in a new qualification period. All of the municipalities were contacted and all of them provided written notice of an election to continue the agreements.
None of the Urban County agreement cities receive an allocation of CDBG funds. These agreements allow HUD to utilize their populations for Brevard’s funding formula, and allow Brevard to identify and complete projects within their boundaries. Brevard County may not undertake essential community development and housing activities within the geographical boundaries of municipalities without the consent of the governing body of the locality. In this instance the consent required is the automatic renewal of the Urban County Agreements with the participating municipalities.
The County must also submit a letter from the County Attorney to HUD regarding the continuing authority and legality of the Agreements.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please have the signed County Attorney Letter and Agreement copies transmitted to the County Clerk for recording purposes. Notice of BOCC Action, County Attorney letter, and filed agreements transmitted to BCHHS for transmittal to HUD staff.