Salem Annual Action Plan Hearing Jan. 16

The Salem Mayor's Office recently announced that it is developing its annual Action Plan aimed at highlighting priority activities for anticipated Fiscal 2015 grant funding.

The Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Program funds are provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and assists income-eligible households and low- to moderate-income neighborhoods through a variety of programs, services and improvements. 

Local residents are invited to offer their suggestions at a public hearing on Jan. 16. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the third floor meeting room of the City Hall Annex on Washington Street.

According to a release issued Tuesday morning, the FY15 Action Plan will outline Salem’s housing, economic and community development needs and funding priorities for the period of July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.

The plan will continue to put into action the goals and strategies established in the 5-Year Consolidated Plan which was completed following an extensive public participation process in 2010, according to the release. 

"CDBG and HOME funds are a valuable resource for the city to assist persons, households and neighborhoods most in need." Mayor Kimberley Driscoll said. "We rely on these funds to provide many of our community and economic development programs and neighborhood improvements.”

In the event of a meeting cancellation due to inclement weather, the public hearing will be rescheduled to Jan. 21.

If you can't make the hearing, you can send written comment to the City of Salem Department of Planning and Community Development by Jan. 21. 

Following this hearing, the DPCD will prepare the draft Action Plan for FY15, which is expected to be available for public comment at the end of March.  

Copies of the draft plan will be available for viewing at the DPCD, the Salem Public Library and the Salem Housing Authority and on www.salem.com.