The City of Covington is seeking feedback from the public regarding federal grant spending on neighborhood improvements and affordable housing.
In a press release, the city detailed three ways the public can weigh in on a draft proposal that outlines how to invest nearly $1.5 million back into Covington neighborhoods and around $700,000 in affordable housing in Covington and seven surrounding cities.
The money represents the anticipated annual allocation from the federal Community Development Block and HOME grant programs. The public can give feedback in three ways:
- A public hearing on the draft Annual Action Plan will be held at 6 p.m. on June 11 in the Commission chambers at 20 West Pike St.
- Written comments on the plan will be accepted until June 21 and should be sent to Federal Grants Manager Jeremy Wallace at jwallace@covingtonky.gov or by mail at the City of Covington, 20 W. Pike St., Covington, KY 41011.
- Comments and questions about the plan can also be submitted verbally by calling (859) 292-2147.
“The Annual Action Plan shows how the City intends to directly invest these funds in projects and programs that improve our neighborhoods and create housing opportunities for people without a lot of income,” Wallace said in the release. “We really want these funds to improve the quality of life of our residents.”
The three basic goals for the programs are to provide decent housing, a suitable living environment and to expand economic opportunities.
Community Development Block Grant program
The Community Development Block Grant program is earmarked for a wide variety of services and programs – primarily in low- and moderate-income areas – such as street and streetscape infrastructure, park improvements, crime prevention, parks and recreation, code enforcement, economic development, literacy and housing rehab.
The city expects to get $1,461,212 in new funds for the coming year, with additional funds being carried over from previous years.
The HOME program
In order to spend money in the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Covington is part of a consortium that also includes the cities of Ludlow, Erlanger, Independence, Florence, Newport, Bellevue and Dayton.
The HOME budget includes $702,234 in new funds plus additional carried-over funds.
In Covington, the HOME program typically funds homeownership programs, including down payment assistance to help people buy homes and housing development to create new homeownership opportunities with the help of outside partners.