DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Consolidated Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2004--2008 [33 Pa.B. 5627] The Department of Community and Economic Development (Department) proposes to adopt the Commonwealth's Consolidated Plan (Plan) for Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2004--2008 in addition to the Action Plan for FFY 2004. The Plan is a document submitted to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The document is both a plan and an annual application for HUD funds administered by the Commonwealth. The HUD funding programs covered by the Plan 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 to citizens, local government officials and interested organizations of this Commonwealth to comment about the Plan. Written comments should be submitted to Karen Overly Smith, Office of Community Development, 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 November 26, 2003, to be included as testimony at the public hearing or by December 18, 2003, to be included in the Plan.
The public hearing will be held on December 2, 2003, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in PUC Hearing Room 3, Commonwealth Keystone Building, Plaza Level, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225.
Individuals who wish to speak must call to schedule a time to give oral testimony at the hearing. The hearing will be shortened if there is no one to testify or if there is minimal response. Contact Karen Overly Smith at (717) 214-5340 to schedule oral testimony before November 26, 2003.
Individuals with a disability who wish to attend the public meeting should contact Karen Overly Smith to discuss how the Department can accommodate their needs. Text telephone calls can be placed through the Pennsylvania Relay System, (800) 654-5984. Calls will be relayed to the Department's number.
Purpose
The Plan describes how the programs will be administered in 2004--2008. HUD must approve the 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.
Content
The Plan includes a strategy, priorities and outcome measures for housing and community development programs, as well as the necessary linkages for building successful neighborhoods and communities. The Plan governs how affordable housing units will be developed and preserved in this Commonwealth, as well as the infrastructure and public facilities, services and other economic and community development initiatives that communities in this Commonwealth will undertake.
Public Review
The Plan is available on the Department's website or in hardcopy for public comment November 18, 2003, through December 18, 2003, at the following locations:
* Department regional offices and the 27 district libraries in this Commonwealth, call (717) 214-5340 for locations.
* Audio cassette copies of the 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 at www.inventpa.com. The Plan will be made available again at these same locations following HUD approval.
DENNIS YABLONSKY,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-2194. Filed for public inspection November 14, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]
