The US Department of Housing and Urban Development requires a new five-year plan for 2025-2030 so Â鶹´«Ã½ can receive a Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership funds.
Together, they total $2 million a year, but city leaders first need to figure out what the people need. So, they're holding public meetings to get input from residents. The first was Tuesday night at the Seminole Service Center.
"What's important to them in raising their families?" asked Â鶹´«Ã½ Community Development Manager Scott Erwin. "Getting a good paying job, making sure their family can thrive, your wages are able to meet expenses in our community."
Most of the residents who spoke mentioned the disconnect between renters and landlords and the need to upgrade opportunities, but there was also a lot of talk about who needs help. That includes the homeless and the situation at Derrick Street.
"They're there with no bathroom facilities," said Messengers of Christ Minister Robert Collier. "And yes, they're cleaning up the mess that was behind the fence, but they're putting them back behind the fence again with nothing new to offer."
Kyle Leslie is a veteran who doesn't see other vets getting help with PTSD and other problems.
"That's not being addressed," said Leslie. "Now, it's been played with and played around with, but as far as actually going out and assisting them with something like that, it's not important to this city."
This is just the first of several meetings the city's holding to gauge needs that will then go into a comprehensive plan. The new plan goes to HUD in May and will go into effect in Â鶹´«Ã½ in July 2025. Leslie still figures there's a lot people can do before then.
"We need to go out, and I must say to your people that are watching this - get out and get active," said Leslie. "And let your city council people know. Let your commissioners know what your feelings are."
There are two public meetings scheduled for Wednesday. The first started at 1 p.m. at the Downtown Public Library. The other is at 6 p.m. at the Richard Showers Center.
