Altoona city officials ask for resident feedback on development plans

ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Altoona’s Department of Community Development has their sights set on improving the city.

The city’s website posted a confidential questionnaire , which asks residents their opinions on what needs to be done. Projects include housing rehabilitation programs, the Altoona Housing Authority, non-profit emergency housing assistance and other necessary public works projects.

“It really gives us a chance to see if anything’s changed and if we’re targeting our money the right way,” Diana White, director of the community development department, said. “Or if we need to look at other things.”

This marks the first phase of a consolidated plan to help fulfill requirements from the housing and urban development department. The city is partnering with Urban Design Ventures in Pittsburgh to contract the itemized list of projects.

“It’s been five years, and in the interim, we’ve had COVID-19,” White said. “That changed a lot of things.”

The project does have a driving force behind it – the local residents. “This will be a collaborative effort between [Urban Design Ventures], our consultant and the city to help assess what people’s opinions and needs are right now,” White said.

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Altoona receives $1.5 million annually for community development via block grant funds, along with $300,000 per year from investment partnership programs. The the federal funds are a part of a required planning process to take place every five years.

Through the survey, the data gathered will have money allocated based on need. The data will come based on public hearings and focus groups scattered throughout the year.

The first public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 22 at the Council Chambers, located on Washington Street. “Hopefully we get some participation to really show us what those needs are,” White said.

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