Jackie Caro, Community Programs Coordinator, No Phone Number Available
Friday, May 2, 2014 at 2:57 p.m.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Neighborhood Taskforce wrapped up its last of five meetings on April 28. The Taskforce was charged with the development a high-level outline for the 2015 CDBG Neighborhood program. The complete outline answers two questions: who can access funding and how funding decisions are made?
The taskforce formed because of a shift in federal policy that required all recipients of CDBG funding to use the American Community Survey income data instead of US Census data. In the past, US Census data was used to develop well-defined CDBG neighborhood boundaries. The data available through the American Community Survey has less specificity and cannot be used in this same way.
The Taskforce was led by Arlene Patton, Community Housing and Human Services Board Chairperson, and Gary Pollard, Riverside Neighborhood Council Chairperson. Representatives from 21 of Spokane's 27 neighborhoods participated in at least one of the task force's five meetings held over eight weeks.
Following the meetings, the Taskforce unanimously recommended to the CHHS board and City that the CDBG neighborhood program operate under the Modified Direct Allocation Model/Option 1 as outlined in the chart (PDF 228 KB). The Taskforce also recommended that the CHHS board and City collaborate with neighborhood representatives over the next year to develop a neighborhood program that aligns with the All Neighborhood, Non-Competitive Model/Option 2 (also found in the chart) for implementation in 2016.
Taskforce recommendations will be presented to the Community Assembly (CA) in May and shared by CA representatives with their respective neighborhood councils. City staff representatives are also available to assist in the presentation of these materials with any interested neighborhoods. Neighborhoods should contact their Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) liaison to request a representative be present at their neighborhood meeting. The CA will be asked to take a vote of support based on neighborhood feedback at the June meeting of the CA.
ONS will coordinate a series of meetings with neighborhood representatives, CHHS board members, staff experts and other stakeholders to develop necessary details for the 2015 implementation of the modified direct allocation model. The expected outcome of these meetings will include a new formula for determining neighborhood CDBG allocations, a timeline of important dates for the 2015 CDBG neighborhood program and an outline plan for the development of the 2016 CDBG neighborhood program using the all neighborhood, non-competitive model.
ONS will also coordinate with CHHS to develop training and support materials for all neighborhoods participating in the 2015 CDBG neighborhood program.
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