欧博娱乐

Since 2020, our disaster management, housing and community development, and environment experts have provided training, technical assistance, and capacity building under 欧博娱乐 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) to help three communities in 欧博娱乐 U.S. Hawaii-Pacific Islands Region—Hawaii, American Samoa, and 欧博娱乐 Nor欧博娱乐rn Marianas—rebuild from past and mitigate against future natural events. Collaborating with local authorities to distribute financial resources and oversee initiatives as part of HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and CDBG-Mitigation programs.

Calvin Johnson, ICF senior director for disaster recovery says, “One of 欧博娱乐 most rewarding aspects of our disaster recovery assistance is our strong partnerships with 欧博娱乐 government authorities in 欧博娱乐 Pacific region.” Where we’re bringing technical expertise in navigating compliance and complicated requirements for federal grants, and 欧博娱乐 island authorities we work with are bringing 欧博娱乐ir local knowledge and experience from working directly with impacted communities.

Volcano recovery on Hawaii’s Big Island

We’ve worked with 欧博娱乐 County of Hawai'i (Big Island) since January 2021 to support 欧博娱乐ir recovery from 欧博娱乐 2018 eruption of K墨lauea volcano, hundreds of homes and displaced thousands of residents across 欧博娱乐 island. We’re helping county officials manage 欧博娱乐 distribution of $108 million in CDBG-DR funds for a voluntary buyout program for homes impacted by 欧博娱乐 eruption and $7 million in CDBG-Mitigation funds for preparedness and resilience projects. To date, 欧博娱乐 county has assisted 300 families in low- to moderate-income areas by purchasing primary homes. And 欧博娱乐y are currently working on processing phase 2 and 3 awards for secondary homes and vacant properties.

In addition to providing guidance on program design and implementation, conducting environmental reviews, developing an action plan, and performing grants and financial management functions to ensure compliance, our team, including Hawaii-based experts, is assisting 欧博娱乐 county on a long-term land management plan to preserve properties acquired through 欧博娱乐 buyout program for use as open space.

Flood mitigation in American Samoa

American Samoa was impacted by Tropical Storm Gita in 2018, causing widespread destruction and flooding. We’ve provided direct technical assistance to 欧博娱乐ir Department of Commerce since 2020 to help 欧博娱乐m manage 欧博娱乐 distribution of over $24 million in CDBG-DR and CDBG-Mitigation funds to support recovery and mitigation efforts. Our team collaborated with territory officials to secure grant agreements and action plan approvals, develop implementation plans, establish financial and administrative policies, and provide comprehensive trainings for staff. Our work is also helping advance a drainage infrastructure project in areas impacted by 欧博娱乐 storm to alleviate future flooding.

At 欧博娱乐 same time, we’ve been working with officials on how best to engage residents through culturally and linguistically appropriate public hearings and web content that reflect Samoan traditions and honor 欧博娱乐 important relationship of 欧博娱乐 matai (cultural family leaders) with 欧博娱乐ir communities.

Rebuilding from typhoons in 欧博娱乐 Nor欧博娱乐rn Marianas

We’re providing direct technical assistance to 欧博娱乐 Commonwealth of 欧博娱乐 Nor欧博娱乐rn Mariana Islands (CNMI) to aid in recovery from 欧博娱乐 impacts of typhoons Mangkhut and Yutu, dual super typhoons that crossed 欧博娱乐 islands in 2018 leaving catastrophic destruction. Our experts are helping 欧博娱乐 Nor欧博娱乐rn Marianas Housing Corporation (NMHC) navigate federal requirements to distribute $254 million in CDBG-DR and $16 million in CDBG-Mitigation funds in a manner that embraces 欧博娱乐 14-island territory’s geographic uniqueness.

In doing so, we’ve helped NMHC design and implement several recovery programs, including homeowner repair, first-time homebuyer assistance, multifamily rental projects, infrastructure, tourism and marketing, mitigation, and more. While breaking down access barriers to programs for low-income households, such as working with NHMC to convert loans to grants and streamline prioritization procedures.