Chesterfield County Citizen Participation Plan - Program Years 2025-2029 As required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Consolidated Plan, the county must adopt a Citizen Participation Plan setting forth the county’s policies and procedures for public participation.

Development and Adoption of the Citizen Participation Plan

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) are grants both administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each year, Chesterfield County receives allocations of CDBG and HOME funding. Through an annual application process, the county awards the funding to nonprofit organizations or governmental departments that are undertaking eligible projects or programs to address community needs related to housing and community development. As required by HUD Code of Final Regulations for the Consolidated Plan (24 CFR Part 91.105), the county must adopt a Citizen Participation Plan (CPP) setting forth the county’s policies and procedures for public participation. The county’s Department of Community Enhancement is responsible for the development and implementation of the CPP. This CPP establishes standards for the county to provide for and encourage the public to participate in the development of the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans, and Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).

Projects and activities that receive CDBG or HOME funds are intended to prevent displacement of low- or moderate-income residents. In the event displacement occurs, the county will notify affected persons and provide assistance, consistent with the provisions of the Federal Uniform Relocation Act and all other applicable governmental regulations.

The public will be given a reasonable opportunity to comment on the development of the CPP, and any amendments to the CPP, prior to the submission to HUD. The CPP, and any amendments, will be available to the public for review on the Community Enhancement website. The public can request a paper copy by contacting Community Enhancement staff.

Citizen Participation

Chesterfield’s CPP will place an emphasis on involving persons of low- and moderate-income, minorities, limited English proficient persons, persons with disabilities. The following elements of the county’s CPP are designed to ensure resident involvement.

Stakeholder Consultations

Throughout the development of Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and CAPER, Community Enhancement staff consults regularly throughout the year with county departments, community partners and housing organizations in the private sector, including CDBG and HOME subrecipients.

Public Hearings

Community Enhancement staff will hold a minimum of two public hearings will be held to obtain public comments during the development of the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan. The comments received during public hearings will help determine the use of federal funds in addressing Chesterfield's housing and community development needs. The first hearing will be held by Community Enhancement staff during the development of the Consolidated Plan or Annual Action Plan. During the first public hearing, comments regarding the previous year CAPER will be solicited. Public hearings will be held in-person at accessible locations within the county with the option to attend virtually or by phone. Accessibility accommodations, including interpretation services, will be available for public hearings upon request, with at least three business days prior notification to the Department of Community Enhancement. Additional meetings may be held as determined by staff. All public hearings must be publicized 15 calendar days prior to the scheduled public hearing.

In the event of declared state of emergencies, staff will communicate any changes or postponing of meetings. Closure of county facility resulting from weather advisories or other declared emergencies will be communicated and published on the county’s website.

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors will hold the final public hearing to consider the proposed Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan and proposed annual budgets for CDBG and HOME. The county’s Citizen Comment Portal will be available for 30 days for the public to submit comments. Accessibility accommodations, including interpretation services, will be available for public hearings upon request, with at least 3 business days prior notification to the county Clerk. All public hearings must be publicized 15 calendar days prior to the scheduled public hearing.

Public Comment

The proposed Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, CPP, and proposed annual budgets for CDBG and HOME funding will be published with a 30-day comment period. Comments can be submitted through the online public comment form on the Community Enhancement website. Comments can also be submitted by email or calling 804-748-1500 or mailing P.O. Box 40, Chesterfield, VA 23832.

All oral and written comments received will be considered as the final plans and budgets are prepared. The summary of public comments will include a synopsis of the county’s response to written public comments, and any explanation of public comments not accepted.

Notice of Hearings

Notices of public hearings, the availability of draft documents and public comment periods will be published on Community Enhancement’s website. Public notices will be distributed and published at least 15 days prior to the scheduled public hearing.

Notices for the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, CAPER and substantial amendments will be publicized in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Chesterfield County’s newsletter and county’s social media platforms. Notices will also be sent to an e-mail distribution list maintained by the Department of Community Enhancement. Members of the public can be added to the email distribution list by calling 804-748-1500 or by email.

Amendments

A substantial amendment has been defined as one of the following:

• Increase in funding for an existing activity is 50% or greater than the original allocation.
• Change in the purpose, scope, location or beneficiaries of an existing activity.
• Reprogramming of funds from one program/recipient to another program/recipient.

Substantial amendments will be published for review on Community Enhancement’s website. A public notice will be published with a 30-day comment period. Comments can be submitted through the public online comment form on Community Enhancement website. Comments can also be submitted by email, calling 804-748-1500 or mailing P.O. Box 40, Chesterfield, VA 23832.

Performance Reports

This performance report is known as the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and must be submitted 90 days following the end of a program year. The report outlines the performance of the county on the administration of the CDBG and HOME funded activities. The final report must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) within 90 days following the end of the program year, by Sept. 28, 2024. Prior to submitting the CAPER, the county will obtain comments from the public, including residents and organizations. The county will notify the public the availability of the draft form of the CAPER for public comment. The public review and comment period for the CAPER will be no less than 15 calendar days. The draft of the CAPER will be available for review on Community Enhancement's website. The public can request a paper copy by contacting Community Enhancement staff.

All oral and written comments received will be considered. The summary of public comments will include a synopsis of the county’s response to written public comments, and any explanation of public comments not accepted.

Availability of Information and Access to Records

The county’s current Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans, CAPERs and related documents are available on Community Enhancement’s website. The public can request paper copies of documents by contacting Community Enhancement staff at 804-748-1500 or by email. County staff will have 15 days to respond to all requests.

Technical Assistance

Technical assistance may be provided directly by Community Enhancement staff to any individual or group who requests assistance in the development of proposals concerning federal funded programs. Staff will conduct informational meetings with residents if a written request is received by the Chesterfield Community Enhancement staff with at least a 15-day notification. The person who conducts the technical assistance meetings will answer all pertinent questions.

Complaints

Comments, or complaints, regarding the Consolidated Plan or related amendments and performance reports may be submitted in writing to Chesterfield County Department of Community Enhancement, P.O. Box 40, Chesterfield, VA, 23812 or by email. Written comments or complaints will be referred to appropriate county staff. The county will respond to all complaints within 15 business days.

Contact Information

Physical Address:

Chesterfield County Department of Community Enhancement, 9800 Government Center Parkway, Chesterfield, Virginia, 23832

Mailing Address:

Chesterfield County Department of Community Enhancement, P.O. Box 40, Chesterfield, Virginia, 23832

Main phone number: 804-748-1500