The city of Chattanooga is in the process of gathering public input for its 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, which sets out the objectives and focus for the city's use of federal grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Citizens can provide input by taking an online survey by Jan. 17 or attending one of the two remaining public input meetings: at Eastdale Center Wednesday, Jan. 8 from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and at South Chattanooga Complex Thursday, Jan. 9 from 6-7 p.m.
"Anyone is encouraged to fill [the survey] out, even if they may not be low-income themselves," said Sandra Gober, manager of the Community Development Division of the city's Department of Economic and Community Development.
Development of a three- to five-year strategic plan, based on needs identified through public input and data, is required of all state and local governments that receive annual block grants from HUD's Community Planning and Development programs. The city develops a strategic plan every five years, Gober said.
Chattanooga receives three annual grant allocations: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG).
Annual grant allocations are based on a formula that takes into account factors including population, housing stock and extent of poverty.
Gober said the city uses input sessions to inform the community on how much grant funding is expected, what needs the city has addressed with grant funds in the past, and how officials anticipate leveraging the new funds with other local resources and partnerships.
After the meetings have been held and the survey deadline has passed, the city will host a Consolidated Plan Update Meeting to share the input received and the data analyzed. That meeting will be held at Shepherd Youth and Family Development Center Saturday, Jan. 18 from 10-11:30 a.m.
On an annual basis - in March or April, when the city finds out the exact amounts of its grant allotments - it holds a public forum, and it also holds an annual meeting at the end of the year to provide information on how the funds were spent.
The city receives an average of $3 million annually in grant funds from HUD that it uses to address a variety of needs related to affordable housing, said Gober.
HOME program funds may only be used for housing activities such as acquisition, rehabilitation, new construction and tenant-based rental assistance. The city allocates those funds to local nonprofit housing organizations including Habitat for Humanity and Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise. CNE provides residential loans and financial counseling and builds homes and revitalizes neighborhoods in historically under-served parts of town.
Funds are also put toward the Chattanooga Community Housing Development Organization's roofing replacement program for low- to moderate-income residents, and toward the demolition of substandard structures that have become neighborhood blights or safety risks, she said.
CDBG funds are used for community development activities involving neighborhood revitalization, economic development, or providing improved community facilities and services. An example of an eligible use is the installation of handicap-accessible sidewalks and street cuts, said Gober.
The city allocates ESG funds to agencies serving local individuals and families facing homelessness.
"These are really critical dollars for the community," Gober said of the HUD grant funds, the amounts of which are expected to decrease each year - making an efficient plan for the funds' use more critical than ever.
To take the survey, visit surveymonkey.com/r/inputconsolidatedhousing. Eastdale YFD Center is at 1312 Moss St., South Chattanooga Complex is at 1151 W. 40th St. and Shepherd YFD Center is at 2124 Shepherd Road.
For more information, contact Lindsey Garland at 643-7330 or lgarland@chattanooga.gov.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.