Draft Consolidated Plan released for comment

The City of Austin has prepared a draft of its Consolidated Plan FY 2005-09 and Action Plan for FY 2004-05. The Consolidated Plan describes community needs, resources, and priorities for the City's housing and community development activities that are funded primarily with grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Action Plan is intended to outline how best to use limited public resources to increase the supply of decent, affordable, accessible housing; revitalize economically distressed neighborhoods; and expand economic opportunities. The draft Action Plan includes funding recommendations for FY 2004-05. It reflects $15 million in HUD funds and additional monies from General Revenue Fund and program income. HUD funds are provided through four grant programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).

Development of the draft Consolidated Plan/Action Plan 2004-05 involved participation by citizens, including: public input received by the Community Development Commission, HIV Planning Council and Community Action Network; a Community Needs survey; and seven meetings with non-profits, private sector, community members and government agencies involved in housing and community development. The process of public input continues with the release of the draft Plan.

From May 10 to June 9, the draft Consolidated Plan and Action Plan 2004-05 may be viewed at:

-- Austin Central Public Library, 800 Guadalupe 78701; (512) 974-7400

-- Blackland Neighborhood Center, 2005 Salina 78722; 512-972-5790

-- Ruiz Library, 1600 Grove Blvd., 78741; (512) 974-7500

-- Manchaca Road Library, 5500 Manchaca Rd., 78745; (512) 447-6651

-- South East Library, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Rd., 78744; (512) 462-1452

-- Little Walnut Creek, 835 W. Rundberg Ln., 78758; (512) 836-8975

-- East Austin Neighborhood Center, 211 Comal 78702; 512-972-6650

-- Housing Authority of the City of Austin, 1640-B East Second Street 78702; (512) 477-4488

-- Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center, 2800 Webberville Road 78702; 512-972-6740

-- St. John's Library, 7500 Blessing Ave., 78752; (512) 974-7570

-- South Austin Neighborhood Center, 2508 Durwood 78704; (512) 972-6840

-- Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office, 505 Barton Springs Rd., Suite 600; (512) 974-3100

The public is encouraged to submit written comment, including their name, address, and phone number to:

Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office

Attn: Planning

505 Barton Springs Road, Suite 600

Austin, Texas 78704

E-mail your comments to: nhcd@ci.austin.tx.us; write "Consolidated Plan public comments" in the subject line of the e-mail.

All comments must be received at the NHCD office by 4:45 p.m. on June 9.

The City of Austin will hold two public hearings to receive citizen comments. All interested parties are invited to attend the hearings.

Tuesday, May 11, 6:30 p.m. at the Community Development Commission meeting, held at the Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center; 2800 Webberville Road.

Thursday, May 13, 6:00 p.m during the Austin City Council meeting at the LCRA, Hancock Building, Board Room; 3700 Lake Austin Blvd.

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Please call 974-3100 (voice) or 974-3102 (TDD) for assistance. This project is made possible by funding from HUD through the City of Austin.

CONTACT: Julie Beggs, 974-3121 (voice), 802-7108 (pager)