1637 Action plan for 1997

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Action Plan for 1997

[26 Pa.B. 4658]

   The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) proposes to adopt the Commonwealth's Action Plan for Federal fiscal year (FFY) 1997 and the program year which starts on January 1, 1997. The 1997 Action Plan is an annual update of the Commonwealth's Consolidated Plan for FFY 1995 through 1999. The Action Plan contained here is the second annual update of the Consolidated Plan submitted by the Commonwealth.

   The 1997 Action Plan (or the Plan) replaces several documents submitted to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These documents include the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS), the nonhousing community development plan, application materials for the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs.

   This summary is designed to give citizens, local government officials and interested organizations of the Commonwealth an opportunity to comment on the Plan. Please submit written comments to Ed Geiger, Executive Policy Specialist, Policy Office, Department of Community and Economic Development, 471 Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Written comments must be received by November 1, 1996.

   In addition, a public hearing has been scheduled as follows:

   October 29, 1996, Department of Community and Economic Development, Room 321, Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120, 3 p.m.-6 p.m.

   Anyone who wants to speak must call to schedule a time to give oral testimony at the hearing. This hearing will be shortened if no one is scheduled to testify or if there is minimal response. To schedule your oral testimony at the hearing contact Crystal Stauffer at [phone] by October 28, 1996.

   Anyone with a hearing disability who wishes to attend the public hearing should notify the Department in advance so accommodations can be made. Text telephone calls can be placed through the Pennsylvania Relay System at [phone].

Purpose

   The Commonwealth's 1997 Action Plan updates the 5-year Consolidated Plan by describing how programs will be implemented in 1997. The Action Plan must be approved by HUD to receive direct funding under most HUD housing and community development programs or to permit such funds to go to projects and organizations within the State. 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 Plan will have a major impact on the types, location and number of affordable housing units generated and preserved in the Commonwealth as well as the infrastructure, public facilities, services and other economic and community development initiatives that Pennsylvania communities will undertake.

Content/Priorities

   The 1997 Action Plan retains the two priorities for housing and community development resources which were adopted in the 5-year Consolidated Plan. Priority for housing resources will be placed on projects that assist persons of low income, those who are at or below 50% of the median family income (MFI) for their area, and certain exceptional projects that promote diversity or contribute to a community development strategy. DCED allocates 13% of its CDBG funds competitively and 85% using a State-legislated distribution formula (2% is retained for administration). Priority for the Commonwealth's competitive CDBG funds will be given to projects which address serious and resolvable community development problems. The Commonwealth recognizes that each community is unique and has distinctive needs. The Commonwealth's goals and action steps will assist communities to address their housing and community development needs in a more coordinated fashion. The Commonwealth hopes to encourage community building activities which have a long-term positive effect.

Public Review

   The Consolidated Plan is available for public comment now through November 1, 1996 at the locations listed below. The Plan will be made available again at these same locations, following approval by HUD.

   The draft for public comment and approved consolidated plan will be available for public examination at the following locations:

   County Commissioners: A copy will be sent to the Chairperson of each county Board of Commissioners.

   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 Service, 1800 N. Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102, telephone [phone].

   Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Regional Offices:

   Southwest Regional Office, 413 State Office Building, 300 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, telephone [phone].

   Northwest Regional Office, Third Floor, Rothrock Building, 121 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501, telephone [phone].

   Northeast Regional Office, 201 Samters Building, 101 Penn Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503, telephone [phone].

   Southeast Regional Office, 908 State Office Building, Broad and Spring Garden Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19130, telephone [phone].

   Northcentral and Southcentral Regional Offices, 576 Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120, telephone [phone].

Pennsylvania's 28 District Libraries:

B. F. Jones Memorial Library, Aliquippa

Allentown Public Library, Allentown

Altoona Area Public Library, Altoona

Centre County Library, Bellefonte

Bethlehem Area Public Library, Bethlehem

Conococheague District Library, Chambersburg

Clarion District Library, Clarion

Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown

Easton Area Public Library, Easton

Erie County Library, Erie

Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg

Cambria County Library, Johnstown

Lancaster County Library, Lancaster

Delaware County Library, Brookhaven

Monessen Public Library, Monessen

New Castle Public Library, New Castle

Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library,
   Norristown

Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh

Pottsville Free Public Library, Pottsville

Reading Public Library, Reading

Scranton Public Library, Scranton

Warren Public Library, Warren

Citizens Library, Washington

Chester County Library, Exton

Osterhout Free Library, Wilkes-Barre

James V. Brown Library, Williamsport

Martin Memorial Library, York

THOMAS B. HAGEN,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-1637. Filed for public inspection September 27, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]