City Community Development seeks help on developing Consolidated Plan

The City of Murfreesboro Community Development Department is seeking help from the public in developing its Consolidated Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program priorities for the next five years (2020-2025). Citizens can assist the City in developing strategic plans for dealing with homelessness, housing needs, and non-housing needs by responding to separate surveys on these critical issues in the community.

The citywide survey is available on the City website from February 14-March 1, 2020. It must be submitted by close of business, on March 1, 2020. http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/112/Community-Development

“Murfreesboro is required to develop a Consolidated Plan every five years, including a summary of the nature and extent of homelessness and housing needs in the City and Rutherford County,” said Community Development Assistant Director Helen Glynn. “The Community Development Department has prepared surveys to help gather information for strategic planning purposes on a plan that benefits residents, businesses, non-profit agencies and visitors.”

• Residents can access the homelessness survey on the Community Development webpage of the City website at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfMurfreesboro1/HomelessnessNeedsSurvey.
• Residents can access the housing needs survey on the Community Development webpage of the City website at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfMurfreesboro1/HousingNeedsSurvey.
• Residents can access the non-housing needs survey on the Community Development webpage of the City webpage at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfMurfreesboro1/NonHousingNeeds.

The primary objectives of the CDBG program are to provide decent housing, a suitable living environment, and to expand economic opportunities for principally low- and moderate-income persons and neighborhoods.

By participating in the online survey, residents will help the City prepare a summary and develop a strategy for addressing homelessness and the priority needs of homeless persons and families in the City of Murfreesboro.

Since 1984, the City of Murfreesboro has received Community Development Block Grant funding. CDBG rules require the City to develop a strategic plan every five years. HUD encourages the lead agency to consult with interested parties including agencies, groups, organizations, income-eligible persons and other interested parties. Murfreesboro is required to provide a concise summary of homelessness needs, housing needs, and non-housing community development needs.

Copies of the survey are also available at Murfreesboro City Hall, Linebaugh Library, Patterson Park Community Center, Sports*Com, St. Clair Street Senior Center and McFadden Community Center.

For more information on Community Development programs, residents are encouraged to call 615-890-4660 or visit http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/112/Community-Development.