Year of Publication
2024
College
Martin School of Public Policy and Administration
Date Available
9-25-2024
Degree Name
Master of Public Financial Management
Committee Member
Joshua Bush
Advisor
Iuliia Shybalkina
Co-Director of Graduate Studies
Urton Anderson
Abstract
The forthcoming study aims to further the conversation on the importance of data for effective, efficient use of public funding by conducting a quantitative, correlational case study of the Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) activity obligation approvals for grant allocations administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), Office of Community Planning and Development (“CPD”). The increasing use of data, including but not limited to program outcomes, accomplishments, capacity, sustainability, compliance, efficacy, efficiency, and activity provision, to inform decision-making associated with appropriations, allocations, and awards results in a mounting need to focus on various means of data usage, collection, management, infrastructure, and governance.
A relationship between realized program activity completion based on the number of completed disbursements associated with a CDBG appropriation funding year over five years from 2018 to 2022, which includes two years pre-pandemic and two years post-pandemic, can provide additional insight into many critical considerations with respect to ensuring public funding for eligible activities meets the needs of the intended communities promptly. For example, as of June 2024, HUD CPD allocations for the 2017 CDBG awards have a possibility of federal ‘claw-back’ as grantees struggle to spend the funds in alignment with the activity obligations awarded (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2024). Therefore, using realized data to ensure grantee capacity for CDBG-eligible activities provides insight into the realized impacts of CDBG-funded programming in meeting the national objectives set forth by legislation to assist communities most in need.
The analysis of program activity data to determine whether or not HUD considers program capacity when determining CDBG allocations provides insight regarding ways to 6 maximize efficiency and efficacy with respect to public financial management. The role of historical program data in decision making for fund allocation and awards provides a proactive way to both determine a recipient’s capacity to administer publicly funded programming compliantly and timely to make the most impact for communities. While relationships between activity and allocation presented during analysis, the primary consideration appeared as need rather than a mixed consideration of need and capacity due to the dual formula allocation process and the period of time surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Recommended Citation
Ferguson, Carolyn Anne, "ROLE OF PROGRAM ACTIVITY DATA IN ALLOCATION DECISION-MAKING FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM" (2024). MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects. 450.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/mpampp_etds/450
