Fort Bend County is one of the most diverse and fastest-growing areas in the United States, with Sugar Land being the largest city in the county. Chittur is one of the immigrants from Fort Bend who have helped the county gain designation as the most ethnically diverse in the United States. The numbers are still being analyzed, but political observers attribute Clinton's victory in the county to the increase in the number of minority voters, particularly Asian Americans, who split their votes to vote against Trump. But unlike most suburban counties, Fort Bend is home to the middle classes and minority working people, except that they are not a minority here.
The Fort Bend County Department of Community Development encourages the participation of local and regional institutions, Continuum of Care, and other organizations in the development and implementation of the consolidated plan. The department will explore alternative public participation techniques and quantitative ways to measure efforts that encourage citizen participation in a shared vision for change in communities and neighborhoods, and the review of program performance. Upon request, they will provide technical assistance to groups representing low and moderate income individuals who request such assistance to develop proposals prior to the publication of the county's annual request for proposals (RFP). The level and type of assistance provided is commensurate with the capabilities and resources of their staff.
The department will also provide information to groups about technical assistance provided or sponsored by HUD or other organizations. The Fort Bend County Department of Community Development will provide affected citizens with reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment on proposed activities that have not been previously included in an application and activities that are proposed to be eliminated or substantially changed in terms of purpose, scope, location, or beneficiaries. The criteria that they will use to determine what constitutes a substantial change for this purpose are described below. Citizens will have at least 30 days to comment on the substantial modification of the Consolidated Plan before the amendment is implemented, unless the U. S.
UU. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approves a shorter period. The loan guarantee regulation of the CDBG Program requires that the citizen plan required for the Consolidated Plan be modified to include loan guarantee funds. The regulation states that The range of activities that can be undertaken with loan guarantee funds; the estimated amount of loan guarantee funds (including program revenues derived from them) that are proposed to be used for activities that benefit low and moderate income individuals; the proposed activities that may result in displacement and the plans of the public entity, in accordance with policies developed under Article 570,606 to minimize the displacement of people such as result of your proposed activities. In addition, Fort Bend County will give citizens timely notice of local meetings and reasonable and timely access to meetings, information, and local records; give citizens access to technical assistance to develop proposals; meet the needs of residents who do not speak English; responding to citizen complaints and complaints in a timely manner; and encouraging citizen participation, in particular low- and moderate-income individuals who reside in slums or devastated areas, and other areas where loan guarantee funds are to be used. Hold a minimum of two public hearings, each at a different stage of Fort Bend County's program, in order to obtain the views of citizens and to formulate or respond to proposals and questions. Together, these hearings should address housing and community development needs, the development of proposed activities, and review program performance.
At least one hearing must be held prior to submission of an application to obtain views on community development and housing needs. Reasonable notice must be provided for these hearings which must be held at times and places convenient for potential or actual beneficiaries with accommodation for disabled persons. The public entity must specify how it will comply with this requirement. Fort Bend County will also meet needs of residents who do not speak English in case public hearings involve significant number of non-English speaking residents. They will also provide technical assistance to groups representing low-income people who request such assistance in developing proposals.
This assistance does not include provision of funds. In conclusion, special interest groups have had a major impact on politics in Fort Bend County by increasing minority voter turnout during elections. The Fort Bend County Department of Community Development has taken steps to ensure that citizens have access to information about proposed activities as well as an opportunity to comment on them. They have also encouraged citizen participation by providing technical assistance for groups representing low-income individuals. The impact that special interest groups have had on politics in Fort Bend County has been immense. From increasing minority voter turnout during elections to providing technical assistance for groups representing low-income individuals, these organizations have played an integral role in shaping politics within this diverse county.
They have also provided technical assistance for those who need it when developing proposals. The department has also held public hearings at different stages throughout their program so citizens can voice their opinions on housing needs as well as proposed activities. Furthermore, they have made sure that those who do not speak English are given equal access by providing translation services when necessary. All these measures taken by Fort Bend County demonstrate their commitment towards encouraging citizen participation. In conclusion, special interest groups have had a significant impact on politics in Fort Bend County by increasing minority voter turnout during elections. They have also encouraged citizen participation by providing technical assistance for groups representing low-income individuals.
