The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA), is accepting priority-project information for the CDBG-DR Typhoon Merbok Flood and Erosion Mitigation Infrastructure Program.
Program funding: $5,021,000 total. Awards are capped at $1,000,000, with exceptions considered case by case.
Availability: the program is open from December 16, 2025 through January 16, 2030, or until all budgeted funds have been expended and all eligible participants have completed project closeout. No fixed clock-time deadline is stated in the September 4, 2026 program announcement.
Geographic focus: projects must serve Typhoon Merbok Most Impacted and Distressed areas in the Bering Strait, Kashunamiut, Lower Yukon, Lower Kuskokwim, Yupiit, and Pribilof Islands REAAs.
Eligible awardees: Tribal and local governments; State departments and divisions; regional entities with the authority and internal controls required to receive federal funds; regional nonprofit corporations; nonprofit Native Corporations; and regional housing authorities in eligible MID areas.
Eligible project requirements: projects must meet HUD’s mitigation definition, align with relevant local or regional plans when available, mitigate flood and/or erosion risk, and meet the national objective of benefiting low- to moderate-income populations. DCRA states that priority will be given to projects that reduce repeated and severe damage to housing, utilities, and critical public infrastructure.
Important restrictions: the announcement identifies ineligible activities under 24 CFR 570.207, including general government expenses, political activities, most equipment purchases except as otherwise permitted, operating and maintenance expenses, and income payments. Subrecipients must also verify that there is no duplication of benefits when leveraging other state, federal, or local resources.
Current intake method: interested entities are directed by DCRA to submit priority-project information through the official CDBG-DR Information Form. Applicants should rely on current DCRA program guidance and applicable federal CDBG-DR requirements before committing project costs.
Amendment watch: DCRA’s draft Substantial Amendment #2 is in public comment through October 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. The draft proposes changing the mitigation program from an application process to direct solicitation, under which the State would identify and invite specific eligible communities to develop and submit projects. This is a proposed change, not a final controlling method. The September 4, 2026 program announcement still directs interested entities to the CDBG-DR Information Form. Verify DCRA’s latest final guidance before submitting or representing the intake method.
Atlas fit: high-value rural and Tribal infrastructure-resilience opportunity. No defensible N9+ or QC Healthcare direct-vendor pathway is established from the controlling program announcement.