Citizens may file a written appeal with the Office of Long-Term Resiliency by email at CDBG-DR@Commerce.FL.gov or by mail to the following address:
HUD Appeals
Attention: Office of Long-Term Resiliency
Florida Department of Commerce
107 East Madison Street
The Caldwell Building, MSC 420
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
The Grievance Procedure is as follows:
Step 1: Citizen shall discuss with the Grant Coordinator the problematic issue. If resolution at this level does not meet their expectations:
Step 2: Citizen will have seven (7) calendar days from receipt of determination letter to submit a written request for a formal meeting (phone conferences may be substituted) between the citizen, Grant Coordinator, and the Grant Manager, which will be arranged within seven (7) calendar days of receiving citizen request. If resolution following this meeting is not acceptable:
Step 3: Citizen will have seven (7) calendar days to request a formal meeting between Citizen, Grant Manager and CHS Division Director which will be arranged within seven (7) calendar days of receiving Citizen request. If resolution following this meeting is not acceptable:
Step 4: Citizen will have seven (7) calendar days to submit a written request for a formal hearing with the Grant Manager, CHS Division Director, and the Collier County Chief of Staff (impartial reviewer) which will take place at the office of the Chief of Staff and will be arranged within seven (7) calendar days of receiving Citizen request. Requests for this meeting are to be addressed to:
Collier County Chief of Staff, 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL 34112-5746
Final Collier County determination of appropriate action on this level will be determined at this hearing and the Chief of Staff shall provide written confirmation of the decision within seven (7) calendar days. If resolution following this meeting is not acceptable:
Step 5: This decision may be appealed to the Department of Commerce by submitting a written request within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of the determination letter to:
HUD Appeals
Attention: Office of Long-Term Resiliency
Florida Department of Commerce
107 East Madison Street
The Caldwell Building, MSC 420
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
If the complainant is not satisfied by the County determination or Florida Commerce's response, then the complainant may file a written appeal by following the instructions issued in the letter of response. If the complainant has not been satisfied with the response at the conclusion of the complaint or appeals process, a formal complaint may then be addressed directly to the regional Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at:
Fair Housing Complaints
Department of Housing & Urban Development
Charles E. Bennet Federal Building
400 West Bay Street, Suite 1015
Jacksonville, FL 32202