Among other things, Covington used funds from this year’s Community Development Block Grant program to replace the fence around Randolph Pool, shown here.
Public hearing on CDBG/HOME allocations next Thursday
COVINGTON, Ky. - The City of Covington wants the public’s help in deciding how to spend several million dollars it expects to receive from the federal government this spring for services, programs and investments in neighborhoods.
The money represents Covington’s annual allocations from two sources - the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs - and the eventual budget document is called the Annual Action Plan.
Residents and others have three ways to offer their ideas and input on both how the current year’s funding is being spent and how the coming year’s funding should be spent:
- At a public hearing next Thursday, Feb. 28.
- Through a survey linked below.
- And through written comments mailed or emailed to the City.
“This is a big chunk of money, and we spend this money directly in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, so we want to make sure we’re spending it where people think we need it most,” said Jeremy Wallace, the City’s Federal Grants Manager.
Federal statutes governing the CDBG program lay out three goals: Provide decent housing. Provide a suitable living environment. And expand economic opportunities. The sole purpose of the HOME program is creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income households.
In past years, the grants have been spent on a variety of housing and economic development initiatives, public facility improvements, and public services. More specifically, the programs have funded: Emergency home repairs. Down payments for homebuyers. Upgrades to neighborhood pools and parks. Smoother streets. Sidewalk ramps. Police patrols in high-crime neighborhoods. Creating affordable apartments above small storefronts. Planting trees.
“But, as we do every year, we want to know what Covington residents think,” Wallace said.
The hearing
The Community Needs public hearing on the CDBG and HOME programs will be held 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 28 in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 20 West Pike St., Covington. Handicap access is available.
The survey
A one-page survey can be found
HERE.
Additional comments
Residents and other stakeholders can also send additional written comments to Jeremy Wallace at Neighborhood Services Department, City of Covington, 20 West Pike St., Covington, KY, 41011, or at
jwallace@covingtonky.gov.
***
If you have questions or you have an impairment related to mobility, hearing, vision, or speech and want to participate, contact the City at jwallace@covingtonky.gov; (859) 292-2147; or TDD (800) 545-1833, ext. 931.
Assistance can also be provided to those with limited English speaking capabilities or individuals with hearing or vision impairments. (Puede prestarse asistencia a aquellos con capacidades limitadas de habla inglesa o personas con impedimentos de audición o visión.)
# # #