The City of Fort Wayne's Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services wants to know how citizens think Federal dollars should be spent. Residents are invited to express their opinions at a public meeting on Thursday, September 25 at 6 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation Community Center, 223 W. Main St., Room 201.

Input received from the public will be included in the Annual Action Plan that the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services submits to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. All HUD dollars must be spent to improve the quality of life for low- to moderate-income residents.

In Fort Wayne, HUD funding is used to support the following six goals:

1) Preserve and increase safe, decent affordable homeownership opportunities;
2) Increase and preserve safe, decent affordable rental housing;
3) Prevent homelessness for special needs populations and persons at-risk of homelessness;
4) Decrease the number of homeless individuals;
5) Increase economic opportunities for disadvantaged populations; and
6) Promote neighborhood revitalization and empowerment.

Citizens are welcome to comment on existing programs or provide new ideas for the use of HUD dollars. Individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations 24 hours prior to the meeting by calling 311.