Preliminary grants of up to $5 million may go out before the determination
What the document says“To speed recovery, the Secretary is authorized to allocate and award preliminary grants from the Fund before making a determination under paragraph (6)(A) if the Secretary projects, based on a preliminary assessment of impact and distress, that a major disaster is catastrophic and would likely qualify for funding”
The new section 124 lets the Secretary award preliminary grants from the Fund before the qualifying determination where a preliminary assessment projects the disaster is catastrophic and would likely qualify. No such grant may exceed $5,000,000, and the Secretary must set a sliding scale by regulation. The money may be used only for activities that will speed recovery, improve assessment of unmet needs, and guard against improper payments and fraud, and may include evaluating interim and permanent housing and supportive service needs. It is not subject to the certification requirement and does not count toward the administrative cost caps. The Secretary may waive requirements to speed its use, may amend the award once a determination is made, and must provide technical assistance alongside it.
What the document actually says“To speed recovery, the Secretary is authorized to allocate and award preliminary grants from the Fund before making a determination under paragraph (6)(A) if the Secretary projects, based on a preliminary assessment of impact and distress, that a major disaster is catastrophic and would likely qualify for funding”
The housing agency may send money before the formal choice. It does that when an early look says the place will likely qualify. The point is to speed up the work.
No such early grant may top five million dollars. The size follows a sliding scale the agency sets. The money can only go to work that speeds recovery or guards against fraud.
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