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, , City of Decatur, Illinois Consolidated Plan 2000 -2004 <br /> 4. Fosters the undertaking of housing and community development activities in a <br /> coordinated and mutually supportive manner. <br /> C. U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement funding should <br /> not be utilized to substantially reduce the amount of local financial support for <br /> community development activities below the level of such support prior to the availability <br /> of such assistance. <br /> In order to attain these objectives,the support and interest of an informed citizenry will <br /> be both beneficial and meaningful. Therefore,this Citizens' Participation Plan is <br /> formulated to ensure fair access of participation and to define clear lines of responsibility. <br /> Genera!Provisions <br /> The City of Decatur shail provide for and encourage citizen participation in an advisory role in <br /> planning, implementing and assessing the Community Development Program. Also, the City of <br /> Decatur shall provide adequate information to citizens, hold public hearings and obtain views of <br /> citizens. and provide citizens with an opportunity to comment on the City's community <br /> development performance None of the provisions for citizen participation listed below shall be <br /> construed to restrict the responsibility and authority of the City of Decatur for the development of <br /> applications and the execution of its Community Development Program. <br /> The following written Citizen Participation PIan sets forth the procedures that implement each of <br /> the requirements as set forth in Section 570.303 of the September 1988 Federal Register. <br /> In accordance with HUD guidelines, the Citizens' Participation Plan has been established to aid <br /> in the handling of complaints and to facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of the City of <br /> Decatur's Block Grant Program. <br /> Standards of Participation <br /> The City of Decatur shall provide a process of citizen participation at both the community-wide <br /> and neighborhood levels with regard to the overall Community Development Program. The <br /> process shall meet the following standards <br /> A. All aspects of citizen participation shall be conducted in an open manner, with <br /> freedom of access for all interested persons; <br /> B. The City of Decatur shall involve low and very low income persons, members of <br /> minority groups, residents of areas where a significant amount of activity is <br /> proposed or ongoing, elderly, handicapped,youth, members of the business <br /> community and civic groups who are concerned about the program; <br /> C. The City of Decatur shall make reasonable effort to ensure continuity of <br /> involvement of citizens and citizen arganizations throughout all stages of the �i, <br /> program; and ' <br /> D. Citizens, particularly low and very low income persons, and residents of central <br /> city neighborhoods, shall be encouraged to submit their views and proposals <br /> regarding the Community Development Program. <br /> Submission of Views and Comments <br /> The City of Decatur shall provide for and encourage the submission of views and proposals <br /> regarding the Community Development Program by citizens, very low, low and <br /> moderate-income persons and residents of central city neighborhoods. Such views and <br /> comments may be submitted at any time during the year. All comments must be submitted prior <br /> ❖ Page - 6 <br />