MIDLAND CITIZENS INVITED TO PLANNING SESSIONS

TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE USES FOR FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT FUNDS

November 21, 2007 – Midland citizens are invited to attend one of two public input sessions scheduled for December 6 and December 12 to offer input on how federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds could be dispersed in the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

The first public session will be held on Thursday, December 6, at the Salvation Army Building, 330 Waldo Avenue, from 7-8:30 p.m., and the second is set for Wednesday, December 12, at Midland City Hall, 333 W. Ellsworth Street, from 7-8:30 pm.

The National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 requires that communities receiving CDBG and other kinds of housing assistance funds prepare a plan that outlines its overall housing needs for affordable and supportive housing. The plan must also outline a strategy to address the community’s needs regarding overall community development.

The federal goals of this plan are to provide decent housing; establish and maintain a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities, all primarily benefiting low- and very-low-income persons.

The City of Midland expects to receive CDBG funding for fiscal year 2008-2009. Topics to be discussed during the public sessions include:

· Estimated housing needs for current and future residents;

· Housing needs for the extremely-low-, very-low-, low- and moderate-income households;

· Persons with HIV/AIDS;

· Need for facilities and services by different homeless subpopulations;

· Public housing needs;

· Lead-based paint needs;

· Current housing market conditions;

· Barriers to affordable housing; and

· Fair housing.

All community residents, including minorities and non-English speaking persons, as well as persons with mobility, visual or hearing impairments, are encouraged to attend one or both sessions. Both the Salvation Army facility and City Hall are barrier-free and can accommodate people with disabilities. Anyone requiring language translation or with a hearing impairment are asked to notify the City of Midland Planning Department, which will make arrangements to accommodate these needs.

Information gathered during these public hearings will be integrated into the final consolidated planning document to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, following a 30-day public review period to take place in early spring 2008.

If you have any comments, questions, or special needs regarding these meetings, or if you are unable to attend but would like to express your comments, contact Community Development Specialist Cheri King of the City’s Planning Department, at 989-837-3381.

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