DHS Inspector General: FEMA Improperly Awarded Fire Grant to ACORN
David B. Muhlhausen /
The Daily Caller recently reported on and posted an embargoed Department of Homeland Security Inspector General audit of a FEMA fire prevention grant to the ACORN. In fiscal year 2007, ACORN created the ACORN Institute to specifically apply for a $1 million FEMA grant to help urban communities prevent fires. According to the Inspector General audit, FEMA’s grant application review panel recommended against awarding ACORN grant funding because of concerns over ACORN’s lack of fire prevention experience and doubts about the proposed project’s effectiveness. Despite the panel’s rejection based on the merits of ACORN’s grant application, FEMA awarded ACORN $450,484 in grant funding.
The Inspector General audit found that ACORN mislead FEMA by stating in its grant application that ACORN was experienced at implementing fire prevention programs in Madison, North Carolina, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Berkley, California. The Inspector General found that ACORN did not have any involvement in fire prevention programs in these communities. (more…)