City invites residents to three feedback sessions on expected HUD funding
The City of Manchester has been no stranger to community input meetings over the last year and with the new year now in full swing it appears that Queen City residents will be getting more changes to give their input in city government.
MANCHESTER, NH – The City of Manchester has been no stranger to community input meetings over the last year and with the new year now in full swing it appears that Queen City residents will be getting more changes to give their input in city government.
On Thursday, the Office of Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais announced a set of three meetings for feedback regarding its five-year consolidated plan for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding.
Ruais expects an average of $2.5 million from HUD in the form of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Program and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program funds. CDBG funds, which are intended for the improvement and renewal of low to middle-class neighborhoods, are an important tool for the city’s Community Improvement Program (CIP).
One recent example came in an recommendation from the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s CIP Committee in early January where CDBG funding was identified for a program that reconstructs and upgrades severely damaged streets, sidewalks, curbs, stormdrains and other related infrastructure in poorer parts of the city.
City officials are eager to hear thoughts from residents on this and other city programs on how best to spend future HUD funding.
“This funding is important so we welcome public input on the issue,” says Ruais.
“The creation of a new consolidated plan is a great opportunity for the people of Manchester to weigh in on how federal entitlement dollars should be spent in the city,” says Manchester Department of Planning and Community Development Director Jeff Belanger.
Three public hearings regarding the funding and topics it might be used for such as healthy neighborhoods, economic development, home ownership, affordable housing, homelessness, health and human services, recreational opportunities, and infrastructure improvements will be likely discussed.
The first meeting will be held at the Carol M. Rines Center (1528 Elm St.) on Tuesday, Feb. 11 with the other two meetings being held at the Manchester Community Resource Center (434 Lake Ave.) and Elmwood Gardens Community Center (83 Trahan St.) on Wednesday, Feb. 12 and Thursday Feb. 13. All three events will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m., have refreshments and activities for children.
Residents can also provided their input through an online survey found here.
Anyone with questions can contact CIP Grants Administrator Dan Orr at dorr@manchesternh.gov or 603-792-6711.