City of Pocatello

NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION

In 1996, the City's population exceeded 50,000 and “entitlement status” from the federal government was achieved. Consequently, Pocatello is entitled to about $350,000 per year in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The administration of these funds is the division's primary focus.

CDBG funds are utilized for a variety of housing and community development programs as well as several special projects. The city's consolidated plan for CDBG funding guides the spending of the funds and enables officials and citizens to collectively solve neighborhood and community problems that meet the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) national objectives which are:

1.	Benefit to low-to-moderate income persons.
2.	Removal or elimination of slums and blight.
3.	Meeting other community development needs having a particular urgency because conditions may pose a serious and immediate treat to the health and welfare of the community.

The City's own goals and objectives primarily relate to revitalizing deteriorating neighborhoods, providing decent housing and suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities-principally for low and moderate income persons. The Neighborhood and Community Services division also works to provide funding to various non-profits in the community such as:

•	Pocatello Neighborhood Housing Services
•	Habitat for Humanity
•	Southeast Idaho Community Action Agency
•	Greater Pocatello Senior Citizen Center
•	Bannock Youth Foundation

The Neighborhood and Community Services Division also manages the City's own “Revitalizing Existing Neighborhoods through Enhancement, Work, and Livability” or RENEWAL program. The RENEWAL program offers: sidewalk repairs, home emergency repairs, demolition assistance for deteriorated structures, and rehabilitation and/or acquisition of problem property for redevelopment purposes. These federally-funded programs typically benefit lower-income households on a sliding scale loan program geared to their individual income levels. Additionally, the division facilitates a facade improvement loan program for the benefit of the Downtown Business Improvement District (i.e. Old Town Pocatello and the Wharehouse Historic District). Close collaborative efforts between loan program administrators and code enforcement personnel are a key to the success of these and other revitalization efforts.

In fulfilling its duties, the Neighborhood and Community Services Division acts as staff support to the CDBG Advisory Committee.

The CDBG-Advisory Committee is charged with the development, oversight, and implementation including funding recommendations for the City's Consolidated Plan.

Its duties also include working with housing consumers and providers to “affirmatively further fair housing” and help ensure that residents of Pocatello are free from discrimination due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status in connection with real property transactions.

Applications for future openings on this and other citizen advisory groups are always welcome and may be submitted to the Mayor's Office. Citizen participation is a key component of the City's CDBG programs, and several opportunities for public input on various aspects of these programs occur throughout the year and are publicly noticed in the Idaho State Journal.