Getting input from city residents about the current state of affairs in their neighborhoods is one of the goals of a public meeting to be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at O’Connor Senior Center, 611 Winona St.
 
The purpose of the meeting is to gather information and public input as the city’s Community Development Department develops its Annual Action Plan Update for the proposed use of federal funds for the program year 2016-2017.
 
Each year, the department utilizes Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Act, and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds. All three funds are administered by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
 
At this meeting, Community Development staff will review priorities and strategies from the 2015-2019 Five Year Consolidated Plan and constraints that impact how HUD funds are allocated; get specific feedback from neighborhood, business, and non-profit housing and homeless services partners on opportunities/challenges; and take comments from other citizens.
 
Citizens may also send comments/questions by email to [email protected]; by mail to Linda Rust, City of Knoxville Community Development Dept., P.O. Box 1631, Knoxville, TN 37901; and by fax to 865-215-2962. Or call 865-215-2120 for additional information.

The second public meeting, to be held on April 11, will seek specific feedback on the draft of the Annual Action Plan to be submitted by the City to HUD by May 15.

The draft of that plan will be available for public comment from March 15 through April 15 and will be posted on the Community Development page of the City's website - click here. Copies will be available at the Community Development's office at 400 Main Street, Suite 515, at the Lawson McGhee Library downtown, and the Community Action Committee office, 2247 Western Ave.
 
In the event of inclement weather on Jan. 12, the alternate date is Jan. 14, same time, same place.