Housing and community revitalization focus of upcoming engagement sessions, online survey

Press release from the City of Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The City of Gainesville Housing & Community Development Department has scheduled a series of events this month about local housing and community revitalization needs, and invites all neighbors to attend. Staff will answer questions about which local needs can be addressed with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Staff members encourage community-wide participation and hope to gather input from stakeholders including healthcare providers, neighborhood associations, non-profit organizations, and residents of public and assisted housing. Individuals can help prioritize community needs through an online survey; the survey ends July 31.

The community engagement sessions are a required first step as staff begins the process of drafting a 5-year action plan and applying for funds under the federal Community Development Block Grant and the HOME Investment Partnerships programs. A session is scheduled in each city commission district.

When and where:

• 6 p.m. Monday, May 8 at Holy Faith Catholic Church, 747 NW 43rd St. (District 3)
• 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 at the City’s Historic Thomas Center Bldg. A, 302 NE 6th Ave. (District 4)
• 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 at the Senior Recreation Center, 5701 NW 34th Blvd. (District 2)
• 6 p.m. Thursday, May 11 at the Gainesville Technology Enterprise Center (GTEC), 2153 SE Hawthorne Rd. (District 1)

Once finalized, the 5-year plan will be presented to the Gainesville City Commission this summer, and submitted to HUD by the Aug. 16 deadline.