What's Happening in Chandler, AZ…

Chandler has received federal funding from Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and is deciding how to distribute it.

The city was given about $2m, which is earmarked to assist low- and moderate-income neighborhoods and their residents.

There will be more than $1.5m available in block grants for Chandler to use during the 2015-2016 fiscal year, which starts July 1. The money can be used in a number of ways to help residents in need, and to fund improvements made in public facilities in poorer areas, as determined by the United States Census Bureau.

An additional $508,000 will be made available a portion of a federal program known as the HOME Investment Partnership Program. This can be used to pay for a number of programs such as rental assistance, affordable housing, assistance to lower-income residents who hope to buy a home, and housing rehabilitation. Money from the two programs comes from HUD.

According to Chandler's Community and Neighborhood Services department director, Jennifer Morrison, the federal government has designed Chandler as an “exception area” for 2015-2016, which means more areas of the community will qualify for federal help than in the past. Previously, assistance was restricted to areas in which 51% of households were lower income, but the exception lowers this to 35%.

City officials might consider working with brochure printers on a booklet for residents, describing the projects that will be funded.