ADECA seeks Alabamians’ input with community needs, fair housing surveys MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs wants to hear from you regarding unmet community-development needs and any barriers to fair and equal access to housing that you may have observed. You can share your viewpoint via two brief surveys that are available online until August 1, 2014. The two (2) surveys can be accessed from the “Community Surveys” section of ADECA’s website at adeca.alabama.gov or through links to the individual questionnaires: • Community Needs Survey: go.usa.gov/9UXJ • Fair Housing Choice Survey: go.usa.gov/9EFe “By taking just 10 minutes of your time, you can help us tailor our programs to more effectively address the needs of Alabama communities,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. The community needs survey gives residents and community leaders a chance to indicate specific needs within their communities that might be addressed by Community Development Block Grant funding that the state awards each year. Communities apply for these grants to fund a wide variety of projects including water and sewer service extensions and repairs, road repairs, parks and community center development and infrastructure upgrades to expand businesses and create jobs. The survey results will be included in an updated five-year consolidated plan covering several federally funded community-assistance programs administered in Alabama by ADECA. The Fair Housing Survey will help identify barriers and policies that may prevent fair and equal access to properties for rent or for sale. Part of the study includes collecting the opinions and experiences of people involved in the housing industry and of housing consumers. ADECA provides educational outreach to help managers of apartments and rental housing units and prospective renters to understand the basic provisions of the Fair Housing Act. The survey results will be included in a statewide “Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice” study required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The deadline for completion of these surveys is August 1, 2014. For more information, visit: adeca.alabama.gov/ or call (334) 242-0492
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:26:48 +0000