Colorado Springs City Seeks Public Comment Annual Action Plan Of Federal Grant Funds

Press release from the City of Colorado Springs:

January 6, 2021

COLORADO SPRING, Colo.--The draft 2021 Action Plan, that provides direction on allocating approximately $5 million in City-directed federal funding, will be available for public review and comment through Feb. 3. The City of Colorado Springs Community Development Division (CDD) will conduct two virtual public hearings on Jan. 20 to present the draft 2021 Action Plan and to take comment and feedback from the public. The draft plan is available on the City’s website at www.ColoradoSprings.gov/COSAction2021.

The City encourages all residents, especially neighborhood leaders, service providers and community advocates, to review and provide input on the draft, and attend one of the two scheduled public meetings.

Wed., Jan. 20, 1 – 2 p.m.

LIVE virtual meeting online and by telephone.

There are two ways to attend:

Enter this URL into a web browser: https://bit.ly/COSAction21-draft2 (link is external) or

Call (720) 617-3426 and use Conference ID: 879 916 181#

Wed., Jan. 20, 6 – 7 p.m.

LIVE virtual meeting online and by telephone.

There are two ways to attend:

Enter this URL into a web browser: https://tinyurl.com/COSAction21-draft (link is external) or

Call (720) 617-3426 and use Conference ID: 904 910 936#

The online meetings include captions available in English, Spanish (Spain), Korean, French, Vietnamese, and Chinese (Traditional) on some devices. For more information, go to ColoradoSprings.gov/COSAction2021.

The City receives approximately $5 million in federal funding per year to support affordable housing, homelessness prevention, economic development, non-profit assistance and neighborhood improvements for low-income populations. Funds include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG).

The City’s Community Development Division manages allocation of these funds, and invites the public to share their views on affordable housing and community development to help ensure the Annual Action Plan is responsive to the needs of the community.

In early December, more than 1,200 residents shared their opinion in a survey about how they would spend $5 million to help their community. Broad themes emerged in the areas of housing, emergency needs for food, rent and utilities, combating homelessness and supporting small businesses that have been incorporated into the 2021 draft Annual Action Plan. Community Development now invites the public to review and provide comment on the draft plan for use of 2021 federal block grant funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Due to COVID restrictions, and in order to comply with Amended Public Health Order 20-36, paper copies of the draft 2021 Annual Action Plan will be provided upon request and by appointment only. Email CommunityDevelopment@coloradosprings.gov (link sends e-mail) or call (719) 385-5912 to request a copy.

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the draft 2021 Action Plan to the City of Colorado Springs, Community Development Division, or contact (719) 385-5912 or CommunityDevelopment@coloradosprings.gov (link sends e-mail). Comments should specify which notice they are addressing. All comments received on or before February 3, 2021 will be considered by the City of Colorado Springs Community Development Division.

“In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the City of Colorado Springs will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. Anyone requiring an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this hearing should make the request as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event. Citizens who are deaf and hard of hearing may dial 711 or 800-659-3656 Relay Colorado (voice) or 800-659-2656 (TTY).” Contact (719) 385-5912 or communitydevelopment@coloradosprings.gov (link sends e-mail) for more information.

This press release was produced by the City of Colorado Springs. The views expressed here are the author’s own.