Press Release - 10/8/2013 - Neighborhood Resources Director
Lee Woodward
From:Lee Woodward
Sent:Tuesday, October 08, 2013 3:48 PM
Subject:City of Huntsville names Neighborhood Resources Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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The City of Huntsville wishes to encourage citizens to check out the Neighborhood Resources Department.
According to City Manager Matt Benoit, the department will focus on neighborhood development efforts as well as
grant submission and administration.
“The Neighborhood Resources Department will play an integral part in the continuing growth of Huntsville,” he said.
“Through multiple housing programs, citizen participation platforms and the award-winning Harnessing Huntsville’s
Potential program, this office has a unique capacity to work directly with our citizens and create visible impact citywide.”
The Harnessing Huntsville’s Potential program, an ongoing effort since October 2012, included monthly meetings with
an oversight committee as well as public meetings and focus groups in both October 2012 and March 2013. The end
result was an implementation plan composed largely of citizen input, which the department has already started to
utilize.
The two-person department is headed by Dr. Sherry McKibben, Neighborhood Resources Director, and assisted by
Lindsey Owings, Neighborhood Resources program administrator.
“Although this not a set of new programs or responsibilities, through the direction of the City Council, the Neighborhood
Resources Department has focused their mission and goals on seeking resources and opportunities to strengthen and
improve the neighborhoods in our community,” Benoit said.
McKibben said the next fiscal year will also include the continuation of the Home Reservation System Owner-Occupied
Housing Assistance or HOME program, which provides eligible homeowners with funding to reconstruct their existing
home.
“We are now accepting applications for the HOME Program, and our office can assist interested citizens throughout the
process,” she said. “The project is funded through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and we’ll
accept applications until we have utilized the funding entirely.
“I would encourage any interested residents to contact Owings at (936) 291-5459.”
Additional projects the office will address in the coming months include the Boys and Girls Club safe room, ongoing
efforts to mitigate Town Creek drainage concerns, downtown revitalization platforms in partnership with the Main
Street Program and other goals.
For more information, contact McKibben at (936) 291-5428.
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