Citizens to decide how to use $23 million in federal grants
-Neighborhood meetings scheduled to set priorities-

A series of neighborhood meetings will soon be underway to gather citizen input on how to best use more than $23 million in federal grants. Citizens will be asked to identify priorities in housing and community development needs in each of their City Council districts.

The City will consider recommendations and proposals submitted during the meetings for the following funds in fiscal year 2010-2011:

• approximately $14.2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds

• approximately $7.1 million in Home Investment Partnerships (HOME)

• approximately $715,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) and;

• approximately $1 million in Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).

CDBG funds are used to improve living conditions through reconstruction of streets and drainage projects, parks, recreational facilities, housing improvements, public services and neighborhood revitalization programs. The HOME program, established by the Home Investment Partnership Act, increases the availability of affordable housing for lower income residents. ESG provides funding for homeless shelters and HOPWA provides housing and supportive services for people living with AIDS.

All meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. The meeting schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, November 17
District 3: Harlandale Community Center, 300 Sussex
District 4: Jean Yates Community Center, 528 Rasa Dr.

Wednesday, November 18
District 3: Southside Lions Community Center, 3100 Hiawatha
District 8: Igo Library, 13330 Kyle Seale Rd.

Thursday, November 19
District 5: Palm Heights Community Center, 1201 W. Malone
District 6: Cuellar Community Center, 5656 San Fernando

Monday, November 23
District 9: Brookhollow Library, 530 Heimer
District 10: Thousand Oaks Library, 4618 Thousand Oaks

Tuesday, November 24
District 2: Carver Library, 3350 E. Commerce

Monday, November 30
District 1: Westfall Library, 6111 Rosedale Court
District 9: Brookhollow Library, 530 Heimer

Tuesday, December 1
District 4: Jean Yates Community Center, 528 Rasa Dr.
District 10: Lou Hamilton Center, 10700 Nacogdoches

Wednesday, December 2
District 2: Davis Scott YMCA, 1213 Iowa

Thursday, December 3
District 5: Palm Heights Community Center, 1201 W. Malone
District 6: Cuellar Community Center, 5626 San Fernando

Monday, December 7
District 1: Landa Library, 233 Bushnell Ave.

Tuesday, December 8
District 8: Ed Cody Library, 11441 Vance Jackson

Wednesday, December 9
District 7: Forest Hills Library, 5242 Ingram

Wednesday, December 16
District 7: Forest Hills Library, 5242 Ingram

After these series of meetings, City Council will hold two public hearings to be determined at a later date. For more information, call the City's Office of Grants Monitoring and Administration at (210) 207-6600.