Over the last few years, the city of Superior has shifted its priorities when it comes to the use of Community Development Block Grant money.
Money once used to assist property owners with the expense of maintaining rental property through a loan program has been diverted to provide additional resources for replacing sidewalks.
The program still provides money for housing, but the primary objective these days is to encourage home ownership.
Those are just some of the highlights outlined in Superior's 2007 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report.
Tonight, is the public's chance to weigh in on what the city has and hasn't accomplished with its annual federal grant money through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants were created by Congress to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and the provision of improved community facilities and services.
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Part of those grant requirements include giving the public the opportunity to weigh in on the plans and outcomes of programs administered by the city on the public's behalf.
Unfortunately, these public hearings like the one scheduled for 6:30 p.m. tonight to have been poorly attended with few weighing in on what the city has or hasn't accomplished with the nearly $1 million allocation it receives every year.
And something the public has to say may impact housing and fair housing in the city.
While many have complained in the past about the priorities the council has set, few ever take the opportunity to share their concerns when they have the opportunity, like tonight.
With a new city council seated since April, there has never been a better time to weigh in on the city's community block grant priorities.
Hope to see you there.
