Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 9/15/2026
Item Status: New
From: Tara Hazelbaker, Director of Finance
Submitted by: Katrina Taylor, Grants & Compliance Manager
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Amendment No. 1 to Resolution #2026-129 Exhibit A - Adoption of the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) Policies and Procedures
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve Amendment No. 1 to Resolution #2026-129 Exhibit A regarding the adoption of the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) Policies and Procedures.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: Through the County's approved Local Recovery Plan (LRP), the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) allocated $19.1 million in CDBG-DR Homeownership Assistance Program funds to provide direct support to eligible residents and expand homeownership opportunities. The program covers a range of allowable costs, including down payment assistance of up to twenty percent of the property's purchase price, the initial homeowner warranty premium, and reasonable closing costs. These costs may include legal and closing fees, title searches, conveyance documents, notary services, surveys, recording fees, lender fees, buyer realtor fees up to three percent of the purchase price, appraisals, and inspections. Additional eligible expenses include legal services throughout the homebuying process, inspection services, and homebuyer education class costs.
While the core program structure and intent remained consistent, Amendment No. 1 to the HAP Policies and Procedures document reflects substantial improvements in clarity, organization, regulatory precision, and overall usability for staff, applicants, and partner agencies. Throughout the document, headings and subsections were reorganized to establish a clearer flow and reduce redundancy. Terminology was standardized to improve consistency, one key example being the replacement of “Conditional Award Letter” with “Conditional Commitment Letter,” aligning program language with conventional mortgage and HUD terminology. Several operational sections, including environmental review, property standards, income verification, and award calculation, were expanded to provide clearer step-by-step guidance and ensure alignment with federal regulations. Compliance and oversight requirements were also strengthened. Conflict of interest policies reflect clearer expectations for lenders, realtors, and case managers, outlining specific prohibitions and required disclosure processes. Monitoring and recapture sections provide a more detailed breakdown of annual compliance reviews, documentation requirements, and the prorated recapture formula.
Previous Commission action/date:
August 18, 2026 - Adopted Resolution #2026-129 which approves the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) Policies and Procedures.
April 21, 2026 - Adopted Resolution #2026-060 which approved the Baldwin County Commission's Required Activities to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing, and repeals Resolution #2014-035 adopted January 21, 2014.
January 6, 2026 - Approved the submittal of the CDBG-DR Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) Activity Profile Form, by staff to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) CDBG-DR grant portal; and authorized the Chairman to sign any documents related to this Activity Profile Form.
November 6, 2025 - Awarded the Contract to MB3 Inc. d/b/a Civix in the amount of $2,427,488.00 for the Implementation Phase of the General Grant and Management, Project Management, and Capacity Building for CDBG-DR Subaward and authorize the Chairman to execute the Contract contingent upon County Attorney approval. (The contract is effective on the date of full execution.)
July 1, 2025 - Approved Amendment No. 2 to Subrecipient Agreement Number DR-21-001 between the BCC and the State of Alabama, ADECA, addressing recovery from Hurricanes Sally and Zeta, including unmet housing, infrastructure, economic development, mitigation, and other eligible unmet needs, as described in the BCC's approved LRP. Amendment No. 2 to Baldwin County's CDBG-DR Subrecipient Agreement with ADECA establishes the implementation budget allocations of $100,000.00 for Administration, $19,169,010.00 for Housing Recovery Activities, and $24,092,676.00 for Non-Housing Recovery Activities. The amendment also extends the period of performance through October 31, 2028.
September 17, 2024 - Adopted Resolution #2024-168 of the Baldwin County Commission approving the Baldwin County Commission CDBG-DR Affirmative Action Local Recovery Plan (LRP) Program; and approved Amendment No. 1 to Subrecipient Agreement Number DR-21-001 between the Baldwin County Commission and the State of Alabama, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), addressing recovery from Hurricanes Sally and Zeta, including unmet housing, infrastructure, economic development, mitigation, and other eligible unmet needs, as described in the Baldwin County Commission's approved Local Recovery Plan (LRP).
September 3, 2024 - Adopted Resolution #2024-155 of the Baldwin County Commission approving the CDBG-DR Local Recovery Plan (LRP) for DR-4563 and DR-4573.
August 20, 2024 - Adopted Resolution #2024-150 of the Baldwin County Commission approving the Baldwin County Commission CDBG-DR Language Access Plan for Limited English Proficiency Persons.
August 6, 2024 - Conducted a Public Hearing regarding the adoption of the CDBG-DR Citizen Participation Plan (CPP); and following Public Hearing adopted Resolution #2024-147 of the Baldwin County Commission approving the CDBG-DR CPP.
December 19, 2023 - Accepted the CDBG-DR sub-award from ADECA in the amount of $1,000,000 for the development of a LRP to identify local unmet needs resulting from Hurricanes Sally and Zeta in 2020 through outreach and coordination with impacted stakeholders; and approved the Subrecipient Agreement No. DR-21-001, with ADECA; and authorized the Chairman to execute the agreement and any related documents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
No
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Commission Administration
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Admin - Upload Resolution and copy internal parties via email.
cc: Roger Rendleman
Tara Hazelbaker
Katrina Taylor
Shelby Middleton
Alivia Wade
Taylor Bufkin
Additional instructions/notes: Admin - Append Amendment No. 1 to Resolution #2026-129 Exhibit A.