Agenda 01/26/1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Enclosure #4 PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF MARTINSVILLE TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1999, 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER - 55 W. CHURCH ST. This public hearing is being held to solicit public input on local community development and housing needs in relation to Community Development Block Grant Funding for a project in the City of Martinsville. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a federal program created by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. In Virginia, the program is administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The program provides funding for local governments to address community development needs, particularly of low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons. The goal of the CDBG program is to improve the economic and physical environment in Virginia's communities and neighborhoods with primary focus on bene~ting low and moderate income households, preventing and eliminating slums and blight, and meeting urgent community development needs posing a serious and immediate threat to the health, safety, and welfare of Virginia citizens. DHCD anticipates approximately $23 million will be made available in FY 1999 to approximately 300 eligible towns and counties in Virginia. Typically, 50-75 communities will submit applications and 20-25 of those will receive funding. A wide range of activities can be pursued with CDBG funds. These include, but are not limited to: *Neighborhood Revitalization *Downtown Revitalization *Community Service Facilities *Property Acquisition & Clearance *Housing Rehabilitation *Infrastructure Improvements *Economic Development The City's past use of CDBG funds: In 1994-96, the City carried out a CDBG-funded neighborhood revitalization project in the Massey Street area. From 1996 to the present, the City has been conducting a revitalization project in the Moss/Barton neighborhood involving $1.25 million in CDBG funds. The City also received a 1997 Planning Grant to study needs in the Southside neighborhood. The study was completed in March 1998, but at that time the City was ineligible to apply for CDBG construction funds as 75 % of the Moss/Barton funds had not yet been spent. The City has planned to pursue funding for the Southside project in 1999. Policy on Displacement and Relocation: Any residential displacement or relocation resulting from the implementation of CDBG projects will comply with federal guidelines as set forth in the "Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Acquisition Policies Act." The Act seeks to minimiTe displacement of people from their homes and businesses, and requires that advisory services and financial compensation be offered to those affected.