SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE COUNTY OF OCEAN FY 2020 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT-COVID (CDBG-CV3) FUNDING

In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development notified the County of Ocean that it will receive an allocation of $2,098,176.00 in Community Development Block Grant-COVID (CDBG-CV3) funds to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. This allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020 to respond to the growing effects of this historic public health crisis.

The County of Ocean promptly prepared a Substantial Amendment to the FY 2020 Annual Action Plan to allocate CDBG-CV3 funds for addressing community needs and mitigating the impacts of COVID-19, following Ocean County’s adopted Citizen Participation Plan that encourages citizen involvement. A portion of the CDBG-CV3 funds, totaling $1,285,244.00, was allocated for temporary emergency rental assistance, providing eligible households with up to six (6) months of back rent support.

The County of Ocean has drafted a second Substantial Amendment to the FY 2020 Annual Action Plan. This amendment reallocates $1,035,244.00 from the Emergency Rental Relief program. A portion of these funds will be redirected to support the development of the “Butler Building” for the Ocean County Health Department (OCHD). The Butler Building is designated to function as a facility for receiving, storing, and distributing COVID-19 testing and vaccination supplies necessary for the County’s community-based clinics. These clinics primarily serve low- and moderate-income residents in facilitating COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

Notice is hereby given that the County of Ocean Planning Department will hold a virtual public hearing on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM via WebEx to solicit comments on the FY 2020 Action Plan draft Substantial Amendment. The link to join the WebEx public hearing will be provided on the Planning Department website:
http://www.planning.co.ocean.nj.us/frmHomePBoard.

In accordance with federal regulations governing the use of CDBG-CV3 funds, public input is being solicited for five days, beginning on March 11, 2024 and ending on March 15, 2024. The draft Substantial Amendment includes the proposed activities and resources for the CDBG-CV3 program.

The draft Substantial Amendment is available for review and may be downloaded from the Planning Department website: http://www.planning.co.ocean.nj.us/frmHomePBoard. Citizens are encouraged to review the Substantial Amendment and submit comments at the public hearing, and/or in writing to: Ocean County Planning, 129 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ or via email to: ocplanning@co.ocean.nj.us.

If you require special accommodations to participate in this public hearing, please contact the Ocean County Planning Department at: ocplanning@co.ocean.nj.us or (732) 929-2054 at least 24 hours prior to the public hearing.

WebEx Meeting Information:

Meeting link:
https://oceancounty.webex.com/oceancounty/j.php?MTID=m50b25299190a294f91c38c265b702b21

Meeting number:
2333 683 9708

Password:
KEctUCNw284

Host key:
670912

Join by video system
Dial 23336839708@oceancounty.webex.com
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Join by phone
+1-408-418-9388 United States Toll
+1-646-992-2010 United States Toll (New York City)
Access code: 2333 683 9708
Host PIN: 1212