The City of Reading invites citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties to participate in the development of the City’s Consolidated Plan and Equity Plan for federal fiscal years (FFY) 2024 to 2028, the Annual Action Plan for FFY 2024, and revised Citizen Participation Plan by attending a public hearing on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 3 p.m. at City Hall, 815 Washington Street, 2nd Fl, City Council Chambers, Reading. People who need assistance due to hearing, speech, or vision impairment, or limited English proficiency should notify the City of Reading Community Development Office at 610-655-6211 or 610-655-6442 (TDD).
The purpose of the hearings are to: obtain the views and comments of individuals and organizations regarding the overall housing and community development needs of the City, including fair housing; review past program performance; and obtain views and comments related to the draft Citizen Participation Plan, available at https://www.readingpa.gov/housing-and-community-development or by calling 610-655-6211.
All citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties are also invited to attend a community meeting to provide and discuss the effects of historical decisions and practices, current conditions, and other concerns relating to fair housing choice, equitable provision of services, access to opportunity, and specific fair housing issues. There will be three meetings: 1) Tuesday May 16, 5 to 7 p.m. City Hall, 815 Washington Street, 2nd Fl, City Council Chambers, Reading; 2) Wednesday, May 24, 2 to 4 p.m., Keffer Park Field House, 301 Exeter Street, Reading; and 3) Wednesday, May 24, 5 to 7 p.m., Schlegel Park Field House, 100 E. Wyomissing Blvd., Reading.
The Equity Plan is prepared to satisfy the requirements of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and to ensure that the City of Reading affirmatively furthers fair housing. It is required to be prepared every five years by jurisdictions that receive federal HUD funds under CDBG, HOME and ESG.
For Federal Fiscal Year 2024, the City expects to receive $2,500,000 from the CDBG Program, $1.000,000 from the HOME Program, $220,000 from the ESG Program. The City is also eligible to participate in the Section 108 Program. Section 108 is the loan guarantee provision of the CDBG program whereby the City can borrow up to five times their latest CDBG grant for eligible activities.
All citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties are encouraged to: attend the hearings; attend the community meetings; and/or submit their views and comments in writing to: City of Reading, Community Development Department, City Hall, 815 Washington St, Rm 3-12, Reading PA 19601.
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