Reports

We recommend the FEMA Administrator collaborate with the National Board to reallocate all unclaimed and unpaid funds for all
phases with closed spending periods to the earliest possible phase.

We recommend the FEMA Administrator collaborate with the National Board to implement a plan to enforce already established guidance including Local Boards’ deadlines for board plan submission and the disbursement of funds to Local Recipient Organizations within the McKinneyVento Homeless Assistance Act’s 3-month required timeframe.

We recommend the FEMA Administrator collaborate with the National Board to develop a more proactive approach to determine, as early in the process as possible, whether Local Boards and State Set-Aside Committees are willing to accept funds, so that funds can be reallocated from jurisdictions unwilling or unable to participate in the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

We recommend the FEMA Administrator collaborate with the National Board to ensure United Way Worldwide performs a periodic analysis of Local Boards and State Set-Aside Committees that have routinely not accepted funds and determine whether Local Boards or State Set-Aside Committees can be reestablished.

We recommend the FEMA Administrator collaborate with the National Board to ensure United Way Worldwide develops and implements policies and guidance to Local Boards to follow when Local Recipient Organizations with outstanding compliance issues apply for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding.

We recommend the FEMA Administrator develop and implement written policies on FEMA’s roles, responsibilities, and procedures for operating the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

We recommend the FEMA Administrator collaborate with the National Board to increase analysis of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program’s performance and ability to deliver funds and assess program participation during each phase.

We recommend the FEMA Administrator ensure the National Board includes performance goals and measures in its guidance or grant recipient documentation for verifying the acceptance of funds, as well as
performance goals and measures for addressing any unique requirements,
such as those in the CARES Act for COVID-19, in future supplemental
appropriations. FEMA should also work with the National Board to track and
analyze these performance goals and measures.

We recommend the FEMA Administrator collaborate with the National Board to establish a contract, memorandum of understanding, or other written agreement mechanism with the Emergency Food and Shelter Program’s fiscal agent and secretariat to establish requirements and expectations.

We recommend the FEMA Administrator collaborate with the National Board to establish a formal board charter and develop and implement written policies and procedures including, but not limited to, periodically reviewing the direct allocation formula and a risk assessment of Local Boards and Local Recipient Organizations for the compliance review process.