GLO Letter to HUD

							August 31, 2012



Ms. Yolanda Chávez
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410

Mr. Fred Tombar
Senior Advisor for Disaster Programs
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410

Dear Ms. Chávez and Mr. Tombar:

The City of Galveston (City) in conjunction with the Galveston Housing Authority (GHA) has developed a housing
plan which has been articulated to the GLO for consideration. As a result of the City of Galveston City Council
approval of the proposed plan, the September 1, 2012 deadline has been met.

While the plan includes some of the necessary requirements, additional details will be required to make it
satisfactory to the GLO. While there remain issues that have to be worked out, the City has in principal agreed to
move forward with the 141 unit public housing component and has committed to cooperating with the GLO as it
takes the lead in managing the development of the remaining 388 units, as outlined in your letter to the City dated
August 24, 2012.

In a meeting held with the City on August 29, 2012, the GLO discussed with the City some key points that should
help refine their plan into a viable path forward for all parties. The details of that plan are currently under review.
The document being negotiated will be available for HUD review no later than September 5, 2012.

As a result of the continued negotiations, the GLO requests a September 28, 2012 extension to provide the final
adopted plan to HUD. Until the plan is finalized, the GLO intends to allow the City to continue working on
currently committed projects at their own risk. Additionally, the GLO will continue to place on hold all non-
housing projects that do not have committed funds until a resolution is reached.

Your favorable consideration is requested.
August 31, 2012
Page 2


Sincerely,




Jorge Ramirez
Director, Disaster Recovery Program

cc:     Mr. Gary Hagood, Deputy Commissioner, Financial Management, GLO
        Ms. Maureen Mahoney, Grant Manager, Disaster Recovery Program
        Mr. Scott Davis, Director, Disaster Recovery Division, HUD
        Mr. Stanley Gimont, Director, Office of Block Grant Assistance, HUD
        Mr. Irwin M. Herz, Jr., Chairman, GHA
        Honorable Lewis Rosen, Mayor, City of Galveston