The City of Phoenix received CARES Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. HUD encourages entitlement recipients to undertake public facility projects that both address immediate community needs and mitigate the effects of future coronavirus occurrences. Public facility improvements can be an effective way of addressing the immediate indirect impacts of the current COVID-19 pandemic while creating long-term spaces designed to reduce the transmission of future coronaviruses. Activities that address the effects of the current pandemic and mitigate the future spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases could include HVAC improvements, surface enhancements, and plumbing upgrades to improve sanitation. The City of Phoenix will provide CDBG-CV funds to eligible subrecipients to be used for COVID-19 prevention improvements, such as new HVAC
systems, HEPA systems, antimicrobial surfaces, and touchless fixtures, in public facilities, including public schools. The program will prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic by reducing airborne and contact transmission risks in public facilities that provide services to individuals and families with low- and moderate-incomes in the city of Phoenix. The facility must be publicly owned or owned by a nonprofit and open to the general public. Facilities may include, but are not limited to, public schools, libraries, recreation centers, senior care facilities, and group homes for persons with a disability. The COVID Clean Public Facilities and School Improvements and Upgrades program is funded through a simplified application process, with grantee follow-up and negotiated award. Applicants must submit a complete application package as described in the Application Instruction (Section 2). Applicants must demonstrate their organization's ability to meet specific selection criteria, including Program Description and Need, Project Feasibility, and Project Budget. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. Applications are evaluated by a panel and must meet a threshold score of 800 out of 1,000 points. The award amount may be negotiated by City staff. The final award is made by the Phoenix City Council.