10.19.11

Conrad-Hoeven Bill Boosts Support for Disaster Aid

Senators Call for $1 Billion in Emergency CDBG Funding to Help Flood Victims

Washington – Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven introduced legislation last night calling for an additional $600 million in emergency Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) bringing the total amount of CDBG disaster funds to $1 billion to help communities in North Dakota and across the nation recover from natural disasters this year.

"I've been there on the ground in Minot. In Bismarck. In Mandan.  I've seen the devastation. Thousands of families lost their homes to these devastating floods and are now stretched to the limit. They need our help, and they need it now," Senator Conrad said. "This CDBG funding is critical to addressing the housing needs of so many North Dakota families."

“CDBG funding, together with Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars and legislation we’re sponsoring to authorize permanent levee construction, will help Minot recovery efforts with both housing and permanent flood protection,” Senator Hoeven said.

The U.S has seen record flooding this year, especially on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and other rivers in the Midwest.  The state has estimated that the need for CDBG disaster recovery funding to address the damage caused by flooding in North Dakota alone is $235 million.  

Senators Hoeven and Conrad, along with Senators from other states hit hard by flooding this year,  have been pushing for additional disaster relief funding.  The CDBG program represents the most flexible form of federal aid, allowing individual communities to determine how best to put these resources towards recovery. 

The CDBG program is overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The Senators will be making the case for additional CDBG funding again tomorrow when they speak with HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.