February 18, 2021–10:14 a.m.
NEWS RELEASE
The City of Rome has been notified of an additional allocation of $255,497 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds through the Community Development Block Grant program.
The funds must be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19). This allocation must also be used for an eligible activity that meets all the CDBG regulations and national objectives. The City’s 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan and 2019 Action Plan are going through an amendment in order to be able to access these funds for use in the community.
The City of Rome Community Development Department is proposing to amend BOTH the 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan and the 2019 Annual Action Plan for use of the Community Development Block Grant Entitlement (CDBG) funds. This amendment is in accordance with 24 CFR 91.05(c)(2) and subpart B of the federal regulations relative to citizen participation for CDBG programs, and applicable waivers made available to those requirements through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
Public Comment Period and Process:
This Consolidated Plan/Action Plan/Citizen Participation Plan amendment is available for a 5-day public review and comment period from February 19, 2021, through February 23, 2021. Citizens wishing to submit written comments during the public review and comment period may email them to [email protected] or mail them (postmarked no later than 2/23/21) to the following:
City of Rome Community Development Department
Attention: Bekki Fox
P.O. Box 1433
Rome, GA. 30162-1433
Proposed Substantial Amendment and Proposed Use of Funds:
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the City of Rome additional CDBG funds through the CARES Act (CDBG-CV3) for $255,497 to help combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed use of the new funds is to create an emergency subsistence payment program for rent and/or utilities for income-eligible residents of the City of Rome. Eligible applicants must have had a loss of income directly due to the pandemic in order to qualify for assistance.
Public Hearing:
A VIRTUAL public hearing will be held via ZOOM on Monday, February 22, 2021, at 2:00 PM. The link will be posted on the City’s web page and social media sites. Persons with special needs relating to disability access, vision impairment, hearing impairment, and/or language barriers should contact Bekki Fox (706) 236-4477. The hearing impaired may use the Georgia Relay Service at 1-800-255-0056.