Each year Staff prepares an application requesting funds from the Cabarrus, Iredell, Rowan HOME Consortium to administer an owner occupied housing rehabilitation program in the County. This program is administered by the Salisbury Community Development Corporation and typically provides assistance to 4 or 5 low-to-moderate income homeowners each year.
Due to the COVID pandemic, the ability to interact with potential program clients, contractors, and program staffing was disrupted. This was a common occurrence nationwide and HUD’s response was to extend the deadline for program obligations and spending by four (4) additional years. Now that most things are “back to normal”, the County finds itself with a current available balance over $600,000 when combining program years FY 18-19 thru FY 21-22. The deadline for spending these funds has been extended to 2026 for FY 18-19; 2027 for FY 19-20; 2028 for 20-21; 2029 for FY 21-22.
With this unobligated fund balance in hand, Staff opinion is to renew focus and efforts to spend the current funds and not request additional funds from the Consortium. The County’s “allocation” for FY 23-24 will be redistributed amongst the Consortium’s other participants. Staff has discussed this decision with the Salisbury CDC, they understand the County’s position and are committed to continued administration of the program using remaining available fund balance.
Most importantly, the County’s decision not to seek funds in FY 23-24 will not prevent it from applying for funding next fiscal year.
RECOMMENDATION
- Authorize the County Manager to sign the attached application for submittal to Concord stating Rowan County is not seeking funding for FY 23-24
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