Community Feedback Needed to Assess Affordable Housing Needs and Community Development Goals within the Urban County Consortium
The Westchester County Department of Planning is asking for the public’s help in crafting its Consolidated Plan, a five-year plan to assess affordable housing needs and development goals in the 31 municipalities that make up the Urban County Consortium. Once completed, the plan helps to inform the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on how federal funding should be allocated through the CDBG, HOME and ESG programs over the next five years. To ensure the success of the County’s next Consolidated Plan, the Planning Department is asking for community feedback from residents, business owners, nonprofits and public housing authorities through online surveys.
Commissioner of the Westchester County Planning Department Blanca Lopez said: “The County receives $5 million annually from HUD to invest in communities that belong to the Urban County Consortium. Participation from the public is extremely important as it will help us shape our priorities around housing, public services, public improvements and economic development for the next five years. We look forward to receiving community feedback as to how the County should direct its federal funding.”
Every five years, Westchester County develops a new Consolidated Plan. The Plan defines strategies to address housing, community development needs and current market conditions for all of the municipalities in the Urban County Consortium. Residents can participate the following ways:
- Complete a survey as a community resident
- Complete a survey as a stakeholder (nonprofit organization, business owner or public housing authority)
A public meeting is also being held at the Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center in Rye Brook on March 19.
- Urban County Consortium Members and Stakeholders – 3 to 4:30 p.m.
- Residents – 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Below are the communities that make up the Westchester Urban County Consortium:
Ardsley
Bedford
Briarcliff Manor
Bronxville
Cortlandt
Croton on Hudson
Dobbs Ferry
Elmsford
Greenburgh
Hasting on Hudson
Irvington
Larchmont
Lewisboro
Mamaroneck Town
Mamaroneck Village
Mount Kisco
New Castle
North Salem
Ossining Town
Ossining Village
Peekskill
Pelham Village
Pleasantville
Port Chester
Rye Brook
Rye Town
Scarsdale
Sleepy Hollow
Tarrytown
Tuckahoe
Yorktown
The Westchester County Planning Department is working with Civitas, LLC, a community development firm to develop its Consolidated Plan. Visit the Planning Department’s website for more information.