[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Public Input Sought on Community Development Needs

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Randy Cole
573.874.6321
rlcole at gocolumbiamo.com

Public Input Sought on Community Development Needs

COLUMBIA, MO (March 18, 2014) - (Columbia, MO) - Each year the City of Columbia receives federal funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) due to its population, demographics and available funding. The City estimates it will receive approximately $800,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and $400,000 in HOME funds each of the next 5 years. These funds primarily benefit low to moderate income households, and can be used for these five program areas: economic development, fair housing, community facilities, neighborhood needs, and affordable housing. Public input is vital in prioritizing the community development needs these funds are intended to finance. Citizens are encouraged to complete the following surveys:

 

Community Development General Needs Survey: This survey is designed to collect public opinion regarding how the City should use funding among the five different program areas.

Affordable Housing Needs Assessment Survey: Priorities to be ranked in this survey include rehabilitation of owner-occupied and rental residences, homeownership assistance, rental housing for seniors, accessibility improvements for persons with disabilities, and multiple other housing priority issues.

Community Facilities Needs Assessment Survey: Priorities to be ranked in this survey include youth services, homeless shelters, transitional housing, senior services, services for persons with disabilities, employment services, and health services.

Neighborhood Needs Assessment Survey: Priorities to be ranked in this survey include trash and debris removal, tree scaping, community gardens, exterior code enforcement of buildings, demoltion of dilapidated buildings, water and sewer improvements, street and sidewalk improvements, railroad crossings, parks and trails improvements, and bus shelters.

Economic Development Needs Assessment Survey: Priorities to be ranked in this survey include micro-lending, vocational training, commercial and industrial development or rehabilitation, and business mentoring.


Links to the surveys can be found on the City’s website at http://tinyurl.com/ConsolidatedPlan. For more information, please contact Randy Cole at 573.874.6321 or rlcole at gocolumbiamo.com.



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