A public hearing to obtain citizen comment concerning Escambia County’s housing and community development needs in relation to the coronavirus pandemic will be held in Room 104 at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, located at 3363 W. Park Place, Pensacola, Florida 32505 on Wednesday, March 10 at 4 p.m.
Escambia County is considering applying to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funding.
The county is eligible to apply for $444,420. Eligible projects must prepare for, prevent, or respond to the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. All activities funded through the CDBG-CV program must also meet one of the following National Objectives:
- Provide benefit to low- and moderate income persons;
- Prevent or eliminate slum or blight conditions; OR
- Meet a need of recent origin having a particular urgency.
Typical projects that CDBG-CV funds may be used for include acquisition and/or rehabilitation of buildings and improvements, including public facilities; assistance to businesses; public service activities targeting low/moderate income households; and planning activities. Additional information regarding the range of activities that could be funded will be provided at the public hearing.
In developing a CDBG-CV application, Escambia County must plan to minimize displacement of persons as a result of these activities. In addition, Escambia County is required to develop a plan to assist displaced persons. It is not anticipated that any proposed activities will result in displacement.
For information concerning the public hearing, contact Meredith Reeves at 850-595-4968 or by email at mareeves@myescambia.com. Written comments may also be submitted through Friday, March 12 at ned@myescambia.com .
The public hearing is being conducted in a handicapped accessible location. Pursuant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in the hearing is asked to advise the county at 850-595-4947 at least three days in advance of the event in order to allow time to provide the requested services. Any non-English speaking person wishing to attend the public hearing should contact Meredith Reeves at 850-595-0022 at least three days prior to the hearing and an interpreter will be provided.
