How IEM Delivered the Fastest CDBG-DR Recovery in U.S. History – and Set a New National Standard 

When disaster strikes, speed isn’t just a metric – it’s a lifeline. IEM managed the fastest Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program in U.S. history, delivering more than $200M in aid to homeowners and restoring over 13,000 homes across 51 counties. As communities nationwide continue to face the mounting challenges of natural disasters, IEM stands apart as a committed partner, streamlining recovery, closing critical gaps, and helping agencies rebuild stronger, more resilient communities. 

Recognizing the Need: Bridging Federal Funding Gaps for Families in Crisis 

A successful CDBG-DR program depends on one thing above all else: getting funds into the hands of the people who need them fast. Between 2017 and 2021, disasters continued to devastate communities across the country, prompting federal, state, and local agencies to secure funding through HUD’s CDBG-DR program. But funding alone wasn’t enough. 

IEM identified a critical failure point hidden inside every recovery program: the lag between federal fund disbursement and the moment a displaced family actually receives help. When given the opportunity to manage a federally funded recovery program and set a new standard, IEM didn’t just rise to the challenge, we redefined what was possible. 

The IEM Approach: End-to-End Program Management 

IEM managed the full program lifecycle, from initial design and launch through final closeout. Our team delivered comprehensive services across every program function, including: 

• Application intake and eligibility verification 
• Title review and Xactimate damage estimates 
• Tier 2 environmental reviews and lead-based paint assessments 
• Duplication of benefits analyses and award determinations 
• Homeowner closings and grant agreements 
• Construction inspections, engineering services, and general contractor management 
• Appeals processing and program closeout 

The scale was unprecedented. IEM completed 39,000 environmental reviews in just 10 months – the highest production volume ever recorded in a U.S. recovery program – averaging 2,000 reviews per week across all environmental assignments. This effort represented $85M in environmental review services alone. 

Built to Move Fast: Technology and Training 

To keep pace with evolving federal requirements, IEM deployed HousingIQ™, a proprietary low-code grant automation platform purpose-built for the real-world complexity of CDBG-DR programs. HousingIQ™ delivers the accuracy, security, flexibility, and full auditability that federal audits demand, while giving state agencies real-time visibility into program performance at every stage. 

IEM developed robust Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each program lane, including damage assessment, lead testing, eligibility, environmental review, awards, and construction, paired with advanced data analytics and visualization tools. This gave state leadership the production metrics they needed to monitor progress and report confidently to stakeholders. 

IEM also built what was recognized at the time as the most comprehensive training program ever developed for a CDBG-DR project. Weekly staff training, including specialized instruction in Lead Paint Risk Assessments and Xactimate software, sharpened team competencies across the board and drove the federal funds error rate down to an extraordinary 0.06%. 

The IEM Impact: Results That Speak for Themselves 

Within just 40 days of program launch, construction began on the first home. Within 10 months, IEM had completed eligibility and award determinations for 45% of all active applicants, the fastest pace of any housing assistance program in U.S. history, with 21,835 disbursements made to 11,867 individual awardees. 

By program close, IEM had delivered: 

• 🏠 40,000 families with restored or rebuilt homes across 51 of 64 impacted counties 
• 💰 $200M+ in homeowner assistance awarded 
• 📞 275,000+ inbound applicant calls handled across 4 dedicated call centers with 300+ staff 
• 🔍 45,400+ Tier 2 Environmental Reviews completed 
• 📋 36,012 damage estimates and 34,826 homeowner eligibility reviews processed 
• ✅ 17,010 award determinations, grant agreements, and duplication of benefits analyses completed 
• 🔄 4,506 appeals and reconsiderations processed 
• 🔧 18,012 monitoring inspections performed and 16,903 payment requests processed 
• 📣 421+ community outreach events hosted 

IEM brings proven program management expertise, innovative technology, and a track record no other firm can match. Whether you’re navigating a new disaster recovery program or working to improve an existing one, we’re ready to help your community rebuild faster and stronger. 

Why Housing Recovery Agencies Choose IEM for CDBG-DR Program Management 

• End-to-end program ownership – IEM manages the entire recovery lifecycle, allowing agencies to focus on their communities
• Record production capacity – Achieved 39,000 environmental reviews in just 10 months and the fastest housing assistance pace in U.S. history  
• Purpose-built technology – HousingIQ™ was designed for the complexities of CDBG-DR programs, ensuring accuracy and real-time visibility 
• Unmatched compliance rigor – Comprehensive training and documentation protect federal funds and minimize audit risks 
• Community-centered outreach – Successfully enrolled 6,000 new homeowners in one month through targeted partnerships 
• Transparent performance management – Provides real-time insights and data visualization for state leadership and stakeholders 

Record-setting speed. Unmatched scale. Communities rebuilt stronger.

Talk to Our Housing Recovery Experts →

Marion McFadden

Vice President of Disaster Recovery

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Jon Mabry

Senior Executive Advisor for CDBG-DR

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Debra Smith

Director of Affordable Housing and HUD Technical Assistance Services

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Tim Lagudi

Director of Citizen Services

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Kera Package

Director of Disaster Recovery

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Pamela Patenaude

Senior Executive Advisor