Team IEM Puerto Rico CDBG 50th Anniversary Spotlights: Gustavo Santiago
Gustavo Santiago Program Manager, Single-Family Housing Program, IEM Puerto Rico
Gustavo Santiago is an experienced project manager focused on federally funded housing programs, legal and regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and resource management. He is well-versed in leading the interpretation and implementation of federal and local statutes and regulations to ensure a project’s execution and compliance. For the past five years, Gustavo has used his talent and expertise in IEM Puerto Rico and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery (DR) & Mitigation (MIT) programs we are supporting.
Gustavo has been a key-player in IEM’s work in Puerto Rico. Dive into Gustavo’s history and experience for insights on his career and contributions.
What has your role been in CDBG programs in Puerto Rico?
My experience in CDBG-DR started in 2019 with the launch of the Puerto Rico Department of Housing’s (PRDOH) Home Repair, Reconstruction, or Relocation (R3) Program. I joined IEM’s Program Management operation as a Policy Analyst. Soon after I was promoted to the position of Regulatory Compliance Officer for the R3 Program, a critical position for any CDBG program.
In November 2022, when IEM was selected to support PRDOH’s Single-Family Housing (SFH) Program, I became its Deputy Program Manager. The SFH Program is a program funded by both CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT grants.
I transitioned back to the R3 Program as the Program Manager in September 2023 for the closeout phase, transitioning back to the SFH Program, as Program Manager in August 2024.
Through my experience in multiple roles across IEM’s CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT programs, I have developed a robust understanding of program design, implementation, and evaluation.
How have you seen communities impacted by CDBG programs in Puerto Rico?
The main purpose of the CDBG-DR and MIT programs is to provide homeowners with safe and sanitary homes that provide a secure environment for their daily lives and also when the next disaster strikes. The impact of these programs in communities is very visible and palpable. We replace structurally compromised homes, homes with blue tarps or homes in flood and hazard areas, with structurally sound homes. These residents are concrete, resistant to hurricane force winds, and outside of hazard zones. We are providing homeowners with the best resources and tools to withstand future disasters and become more resilient for whatever comes next.
What challenges does CDBG currently face?
Most of the challenges that the CDBG programs face in Puerto Rico are those inherent to living on an island. We need enough construction workers to build homes, the right materials, and a robust supply chain to get those materials to the island. Plus, much of the construction is in difficult, mountainous areas. This is also why Section 3 of the CDBG programs is so important. It helps people who live on the island get jobs building homes. These are people who know the island well and can work in tough conditions. By giving people jobs, we help them rebuild their lives and the island at the same time.
How do you think CDBG will evolve in the next decade in Puerto Rico?
Unfortunately, disasters are a part of our lives. Recovery and mitigation using CDBG funds is essential to provide security, avoid loss of life, and help a community, state, or territory restore normalcy after a disaster. As factors such as global warming and rising sea levels continue to increase, disasters become common and more intense. Although we hope and pray that we will avoid disasters, it will not always be the case.
For Puerto Rico, the CDBG-DR and MIT funds provide an avenue for recovery. Just some of what these funds do include increasing economic activity, restoring homes, providing the ability to purchase first homes, allowing the installation of resilient systems for homes (e.g., solar panels, water cisterns), and encouraging residents to learn trades and get jobs. Over the next decade, we will see Puerto Rico continue to strengthen its economy and resiliency.
What recommendations do you have for communities seeking CDBG-DR/MIT funding?
It is fundamentally important that any entity seeking CDBG-DR and/or MIT funding know the federal requirements and regulations. Understanding and compliantly applying the rules can be the difference between being granted the funds or not.
It is also important that communities and governments understand what the needs of the communities are. An assessment of the community’s needs is critically important. Once an assessment is completed, developing a plan to address the needs is essential for building a strong plan and application for these funds.
The use of the funding also needs to be a concerted effort. Partnerships between government agencies and non-governmental organizations should be established. Strong public-private alliances and relationships provide a better opportunity for the successful implementation of CDBG-DR/MIT funds.
These are some general thoughts, and this is where a partner like IEM is a distinguishing factor. The IEM Team brings expertise in the field, a proven track record, and a reputation as an industry leader. Assisting communities and governments implement these life-changing funds is just a fraction of the things that IEM does. IEM is able to assist with overall grants and program management, action plan and program development, and direct assistance to applicants. Our team ensures that the assistance reaches the most vulnerable population, that stakeholders attain their desired outcomes, and that programs are in compliance with the rules and regulations.
