Public Input Sought for County CDBG Program
Published on August 14, 2020
To help communities identify improvement projects through Weld County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, residents are encouraged to take a Citizen Needs Survey.
The Citizen Needs Survey asks residents to identify any needs they see in the community or their own lives related to housing; public improvements such as street lighting, water systems and drainage problems; and public services such as transportation and access to services for older adults. Don Sandoval, CDBG Program Manager, will then take the needs identified to municipal meetings to discuss what improvements need to be made before municipalities can apply for program funds starting November 1, 2020.
“This survey allows the CDBG program manager to assess what needs are identified within communities by the residents in those communities,” said Commissioner Chair Mike Freeman.
The Citizen Needs Survey is part of a section being added to Weld County Government’s website for the CDBG program today. The new section explains what the CDBG program is, identifies its goals, as well as provides program resources, grant information and information on the different CDBG plans.
“This is going to be a great program for helping improve our communities and the lives of our residents,” said Weld County CDBG Program Manager Don Sandoval. “The information provided on the county’s website will serve as an educational tool to ensure residents have a voice in the program and its outcomes.”
Weld County’s CDBG program will be funded through an entitlement allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. An entitlement allocation is given to counties considered to be urban — meaning a population of 200,000 or more. Weld County has more than 300,000 residents. Allocation for the county is expected to be received in early 2021, at an annual estimated entitlement of approximately $1 million.
In June, the county secured Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with 25 of its municipalities to implement community improvement projects and allocate program funds accordingly. In prior years, individual municipalities or the county had to apply for a CDBG grant from DOLA for a specific project. Projects may include improvements to and implementation of water systems, streets, community centers, food banks, shelters, health clinics, etc.
To take the Citizen Needs Survey and learn more about Weld County’s CDBG program, visit https://www.weldgov.com/government/cdbg_weld_county.