|
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
<br /> The Consolidated Plan 2000-2004 documents the City of Decatur's proposed five year goals,
<br /> objectives, and activities. The City, a federally designated entitlement community, receives funding
<br /> under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the Home Investment
<br /> Partnerships (HOME) program based on a formula allocation. For the 1999 program year, the City
<br /> received $1,878,000 in CDBG funding and $665,000 in HOME funding to support activities which
<br /> benefit very low, low, and moderate-income persons.
<br /> Part One, the introduction, narrates how staff managed the process of developing the plan including
<br /> citizens' participation. The City staff managed this process considering the needs of the community,
<br /> community involvement, and the City's interaction with other agencies.
<br /> Parts Two and Three provide a housing assessment of the community, including a look at
<br /> backgrounds, trends, demographics, and housing. The entire scope of housing was included in this
<br /> snapshot of the city today. Staff not only looked at housing but the cost of housing, barriers to
<br /> affordable housing, public and assisted housing, Section 8 housing, the Near North/Hope VI
<br /> Revitalization Plan, and facilities and services for homeless persons.
<br /> Part Four provides an overview of non-housing community development including public safety,
<br /> public facilities, public services and economic development.
<br /> Part Five presents the community's five-year needs and strategies in the areas of housing,
<br /> homelessness, public housing resident initiatives, non-housing community development, anti-poverty
<br /> strategy, institutional structures, and coordination of resources.
<br /> Part Six details the City's request for the establishment of a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
<br /> Area.
<br /> Part Seven includes the Annual Action Plan, summary tables, housing and community development
<br /> resources, certifications, and appendices.
<br /> In summary, the Consolidated Plan provides a strategy for meeting the national objectives of
<br /> providing assistance to very low, low and moderate-income persons by: 1) funding affordable
<br /> housing initiatives through the Homebuyer Program and through the activities carried out by our
<br /> Community Housing Development Organizations, 2) providing emergency repairs and rehabilitation
<br /> to enable families to remain in their homes, 3) assisting the disabled with improved access and
<br /> mobility, 4) encouraging programs that provide job opportunities, 5) funding youth programs, and
<br /> 6) addressing a variety of community needs with infrastructure and rehabilitation programs. In
<br /> addition to other community resources and matching funds, the City has committted nearly $2.6M in
<br /> CDBG/HOME money to fund these objectives.
<br /> Through the deliberate consultation with its citizens, agencies, neighborhood organizations and
<br /> institutions, the City has developed this plan to improve the quality of life for all citizens of Decatur,
<br /> Illinois.
<br />
|