The Missouri Department of Economic Development is requesting public feedback on the state's administration of five federal grant programs.
Missouri is required to regularly create a five-year consolidated plan to ensure that state agencies responsible for steering federal Housing and Urban Development grant programs share common goals.
The five programs subject to the consolidated planning process are the Community Development Block Grant offered by DED, the Housing of Persons with AIDS program administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and the HOME Investment Partnerships, Emergency Solutions Grant and National Housing Trust Fund offered by the Missouri Housing Development Commission.
The consolidated plan is used to inform the direction state agencies take each of those programs and covers topics such as consultation and public participation, housing and community development needs assessments, market analyses and strategic planning.
The fiscal year 2023 action plan, another federal requirement, is similar to the consolidated plan but details how the state plans to administer HUD programs over the coming year.
The action plan details the amount of resources available in each of the five programs for the year, goals and objectives of each program, types of activities, projects or applicants that might be funded, program-specific requirements and how funds are awarded.
A draft consolidated plan and fiscal year 2023 action plan, along with a citizen participation plan, will be made available online at ded.mo.gov/cdbg on or before March 22, according to a DED news release.
The department will begin accepting online public comments on the draft consolidated plan, fiscal year 2023 action plan and citizen participation plan March 21. Comments can be sent via email to [email protected] through April 21.
DED is also hosting a public hearing with in-person and virtual attendance options 9:30 a.m.-noon March 22 in room 750 of the Harry S Truman Building, 301 W. High St. Registration is required for both in-person and online attendance.
The citizen participation plan outlines the state's process and policy around formal citizen engagement. The current plan is based on HUD guidance and requirements and is intended to ensure reasonable opportunity for public comment on proposed plans and programs, according to the news release.
"These requirements are designed specially to encourage participation by low- and moderate-income persons, particularly those living in blighted areas and/or disaster impacted communities," the release states.