What is it?
The Consolidated Plan is required of all communities that wish to receive funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the Community Development Block Grant program, the HOME Investment Partnership program, the Emergency Shelter Grant program and the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS program.
The Consolidated Plan consists of three documents -- the Annual Statement that is prepared each fall, the Performance and Evaluation report that is prepared each spring, and the Five Year Strategy. In the City of St. Louis, the time has come to prepare the new Five Year Strategy.
This strategy will set the framework for community, housing and economic development in the coming years. It will be a report that outlines the problems and opportunities facing St. Louis, and sets forth a future path.
Why is it important?
A strategy is central to the accomplishment of any complicated endeavor. This is especially important in an environment like St. Louis where there are lots of issues, lots of people, and lots of organizations with different interests, and there is a need for collaboration between groups in order to tackle serious problems. A successful strategy is one that builds upon an understanding of people's goals, achieves consensus by the "stakeholders" of the community, and that clearly explains what should be done, why it should be done, and how to accomplish it.
The new Five Year Strategy will have to address a variety of topics as required by the Federal Government:
- Housing Needs. The need for shelter by St. Louis citizens, especially those experiencing challenges such as poverty, disabilities, HIV/AIDS, and/or similiar acute circumstances.
- Housing Market. The overall nature and strength of the market in St. Louis, now and anticipated over the next five years.
- Substandard Housing. Estimates of housing conditions in St. Louis and the prospects for improving these conditions through renovation, demolition and/or new construction.
- Economy. Trends and prospects for the regional economy and the implications for the city, especially regarding economic development, employment training and placement, and related services.
- Infrastructure. Required improvements in sewers, roads, viaducts, airports and all the other infrastructure that is critical to the growth of a community.
- Public Facilities. The needs for park, recreation, library, education, community center, and related facilities that contribute to a community's quality of life.
- Public Services. Basic municipal services and services that are geared to the special needs of youth, the elderly, the homeless, and others in need.
What Are Your Priorities?
Please take a few minutes in order to help us understand what you and other citizens like you think are the important issues that the city needs to address. Thanks!
What is the Planning Process?
The development of a new strategy has to be a united effort that involves elected representatives, neighborhood leaders, businesses that employ people and pay taxes, and city departments that provide direct public services. In addition, other public institutions will need to be involved like the Board of Education and the Bi-State Development Agency, non-profits, foundations, and above all, the citizens of St. Louis.
Our approach for updating the strategy will include:
- Analyzing important changes that have occurred in the last five years.
- Consider trends that will impact the next fives years...things like technology, education reform, the economy, and more.
- Hosting discussion forums so that interest groups of all persuasions get a chance to express their concerns and aspirations.
- Reaching out to Neighborhood Groups and Non-Profits so that they understand how they can shape events and strategize as well.
- Ensuring that the new Strategy relates to other on-going initiatives.
