DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Consolidated Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2004-2008; Public Meeting [34 Pa.B. 5395] The Department of Community and Economic Development (Department) proposes to adopt the Commonwealth's Action Plan (Plan) for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2005 and the program year that starts on January 1, 2005. The Plan is an update of the Commonwealth's Consolidated Plan for FFY 2004-2008 (Consolidated Plan). The Plan is the first annual update of the Consolidated Plan submitted by the Commonwealth.
The Plan updates documents previously submitted to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These documents include the nonhousing community development plan and any changes that the Department may have implemented concerning the four programs administered by the Commonwealth. The programs administered by the Department are the Community Development Block Grant, the Home Investment Partnerships and the Emergency Shelter Grant programs. The Department of Health administers the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program.
This summary is designed to provide an opportunity for citizens, local governmental officials and interested organizations of this Commonwealth to comment on the Plan. Written comments should be submitted to Karen Overly Smith, Center for Community Building, Department of Community and Economic Development, 400 North Street, 4th Floor, Commonwealth Keystone Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225. Written comments must be received by October 18, 2004, to be included as testimony in the Plan.
Public Meeting
The public meeting will be conducted electronically by means of the Internet. The format will be more accessible in that persons who wish to make a comment or discuss policy may participate directly from their personal computer or from a computer location at their public library. Access to the discussion by means of the Internet will occur between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on October 28, 2004. This more widely available personal computer access will replace the usual public meeting.
Individuals or organizations may give testimony or comments by means of the Internet. Comments will be accepted about topics related to community development, housing, the content of the Plan and the process by which the public input is gathered. The Commonwealth encourages public participation in this process.
Persons who wish to participate must register in advance online by means of the Internet. Contact Karen Overly Smith at (717) 214-5340 to receive registration instructions for the Internet meeting at least 24 hours prior to the meeting date. Internet public meeting access will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on October 28, 2004. During the meeting, if support is required, call (866) 224-4890, enter the pin number 6315 and then press the pound (#) sign.
Purpose
The Plan is the first update to the 5-year Consolidated Plan. This Plan will describe how the programs will be administered in 2005. HUD must approve this Plan for the Commonwealth and organizations within the State to receive funding under most HUD housing and community development programs. Applicants for funding from Federal housing programs must obtain certification that their proposed use of HUD assistance will be consistent with the applicable Plan for the area. The Consolidated Plan creates a unified strategy for housing and community development programs as well as the necessary linkages for building successful neighborhoods and communities.
The Plan will have a major impact on the types, location and number of affordable housing units generated and preserved in this Commonwealth as well as the infrastructure and public facilities, services and other economic and community development initiatives that Commonwealth communities will undertake.
Content
The Consolidated Plan was substantially changed for FFY 2004 by incorporating outcome measures for housing and community development programs. One minor update is included in the Plan. That update is a better description of how the Commonwealth will utilize funding under the American Dream Downpayment Initiative.
Public Review
The Consolidated Plan is available on the Internet or in hardcopy for public comment October 4, 2004, through November 4, 2004, at county offices, Department regional offices and 27 district libraries in this Commonwealth. Call (717) 214-5340 for locations.
Audio cassette copies of the Consolidated Plan can be obtained by contacting the Tri-County Branch of the Pennsylvania Association of the Blind, Patricia Summers, Coordinator, Harrisburg Area Radio Reading Services, 1800 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102, (717) 238-2531.
The draft Plan can be viewed on the Internet at www.inventpa.com. The final Plan will be made available again at these same locations following HUD approval.
DENNIS YABLONSKY,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 04-1818. Filed for public inspection October 1, 2004, 9:00 a.m.]
