In accordance with the federal regulations relative to citizen participation for Community Planning and Development Programs and applicable waivers made available to those requirements through the CARES Act as set forth in the memorandum from U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), dated April 9, 2020, the City of Bowie is making available to the public for review and comment an amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan. Also pursuant to waivers provided by HUD, the City of Bowie is amending its Citizen Participation Plan by revising the public comment period for amendments in response to state and national emergencies from 30 calendar days to 5 calendar days. 

The Public Hearing, a virtual/online public meeting, will be held on Monday, June 1, 2020, at 8 p.m. This virtual/online meeting can be accessed/viewed live at: www.cityofbowie.org/viewmeetings. The virtual/online meeting is consistent with federal, state, and local emergency declarations regarding the COVID-19 crisis. This is an amendment to enable the City of Bowie to receive and administer $116,863 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from HUD made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The funding will be used to facilitate assistance to persons and entities impacted by COVID-19. Eligible CDBG activities will include assisting low- and moderate-income households with rental assistance, increasing access to food through local nonprofit service providers, and acquisition of PPE and other supplies for homeless and housing outreach services and assistance.

The draft amendment regarding the plans for the grant funding can be viewed here. This Action Plan amendment is available for a 5-day public review and comment period from May 25, 2020 to May 29, 2020. Please submit written comments during the public review and comment period no later than 4:00 PM on May 29, 2020, to Jesse Buggs, Director, Grants Office, City of Bowie, at cobcares@cityofbowie.org. All comments received will be included in the Final Plan Amendment sent to HUD along with the City’s responses.

Comments submitted as testimony to be read at the virtual City Council public hearing on June 1 should be submitted to cityclerk@cityofbowie.org by 7 p.m. on June 1. All comments received will be included in the Final Plan Amendment sent to HUD