Aisha Chism

Background

About Aisha Chism

Community Development Block Grant and Disaster Recovery Professional with 4 years’ experience with grants, planning, developing and implementing the Hammond, IN CDBG programs and 2 years CDBG-DR experience as a Consultant and Assistant Project Manager in Chicago, IL. Keen understanding of CDBG-DR and disaster management as a volunteer and experienced professional in Community Development and Property Claim management. Extensive experience with regulations, monitoring, disaster recovery compliance and federal reporting, including DRGR. As a Program Administrator of state & federal grants, I’ve trained sub-recipients on federal requirements, written policies and procedures for several grants, including introducing two grant programs based upon community need. Broad understanding & execution of regulatory requirements: Section 106 (environmental) reviews, procurement, relocation assistance, contract bids, budget planning and allocation, developed City of Hammond’s Strategic Action Plan annually for 3 years. Demonstrated ability to train, mentor, interpret, convey and administer CDBG, CDBG-DR, HOME, HUD, ESG programs. Currently working on a full-scale Acquisition and Buyout Program utilizing CDBG-DR funds to acquire properties in the floodplains and mitigate repetitive loss. Worked with federal NSP program placing displaced homeowners in hotels, shelters and transitional housing. Expert Compliance & federal regulatory professional with record low auditing finds for Lake Co IN. Trained sub-recipients and contractors as the grants administrator, grant & contractor monitoring, auditor and contract specialist. Innovative measures initiated to revamp redevelopment/community programs which reduced CDBG & ESG fund waste, maximizing dollars which resulted in annual increase of state & federal funding allocations for the City of Hammond for 80% of my projects.