Public Meetings in Blackfoot and Preston Provide Opportunity to Give Input on $70 Million Distribution

BLACKFOOT/PRESTON – The public is asked to give comment on the management and distribution of approximately $70 million in federal funds, states the Idaho Housing and Finance Association. IHFA and the Idaho Department of Commerce are asking Blackfoot and Preston residents to participate in the development of the Five-Year Strategic Plan for Housing and Community Development by attending two public meetings:

• August 11 (Wednesday), 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.—Blackfoot City Hall, City Council Chambers, 2nd floor, 157 North Broadway, Blackfoot.

• August 12 (Thursday), 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.—Franklin County Courthouse, Commissioners’ Room, 2nd floor, 39 West Oneida Street, Preston.

These two meetings conclude a statewide round of public meetings on the Five-Year Plan.

The Five-Year Plan will be used to identify needs and allocate resources for Idaho communities. It serves as the application for Emergency Shelter Grants, Community Development Block Grants and the HOME program, which bring over $14.25 million in HUD funds to Idaho cities annually. This year’s effort is an update of the original Five-Year Plan in effect from 1995-2000, as required by HUD.

Citizens, representatives of state and local government, business and nonprofit communities and community advocates are invited to provide comment on how federal and other resources are used to address housing and community development needs. Attendees will also have the opportunity to comment on the following issues affecting housing and community development:

• HUD’s budget is under attack this year and the programs affected most by the Five-Year Plan are being targeted for significant cuts;

• IHFA will produce an annual housing assessment that will profile a cross-section of Idaho communities and provide annual updates on conditions in those communities;

• The Five-Year Plan will affect the expenditure of an estimated $70 million of federal funds in Idaho over the next 5 years in the areas of housing and community development;

• A study of Barriers to Affordable Housing, commissioned by IHFA and IDOC in response to a recommendation by former Governor Batt’s Affordable Housing Task Force, has been completed and will be available to the public at the meetings.

Each public forum will begin with a summary of the demographic, economic and housing conditions in the state and region, followed by a participatory comment session focusing on affordable and special needs housing. The Department of Commerce will lead a similar presentation and discussion of community development needs and strategies. Written comments concerning housing and development issues are also being accepted during the next several months as the draft of the new plan is being developed.

For questions regarding the Five-Year Plan process, contact IHFA’s Grant Programs Department at 1-877-4GRANTS (1-877-447-2687), the Idaho Department of Commerce at 208-334-2470 or e-mail communityhousing@ihfa.org. E-mails will receive an automatic reply containing links to related documents, including a survey, the Five-Year Plan public meeting schedule and the Barriers to Affordable Housing Study.