State seeks public input on HUD-funded programs

The Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Missouri Housing Development Commission and the state’s departments of health and senior services and social services will conduct a series of public hearings in November.

The only hearing in southwest Missouri will be held 3–5 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Monett Community Room, 102 N. Maple in Monett.

Input at the hearings will be used when proposing budgets, dividing funds, setting eligibility requirements and structuring the application processes for state programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Those programs include: Community Development Block Grant Program, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Emergency Shelter Grant Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS and Continuum of Care/McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Funds.

The annual program allocation from HUD is about $50 million.

These state-administered programs serve cities with less than 50,000 in population and counties with less than 200,000 in population.

The draft version of the action plan will be available for review on or around Nov. 1. It will be viewable at state agencies, public libraries, regional planning commissions and community action agencies across the state.

Written comments on the plan are welcome through Dec. 15. Comments should be mailed to Andy Papen, CDBG Program, PO Box 18, Jefferson City, MO, 65102.

The final version of the action plan will be submitted to HUD in February.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s Oct. 18 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.