The first of two public hearings was held Wednesday morning on the Federal Fiscal Year 2016 Community Development Block Grant funding. Martha Robbins, executive director of the Monroe County Redevelopment Authority, presented the public and the commissioners the program scope and requirements.

Monroe County has been allocated $329,679 for the fiscal year 2016. Robbins said the funds are traditionally earmarked for housing rehabilitation, economic development, public services, public facilities and architectural barriers. Other uses include parks and recreation, water systems, historic preservation and other uses related to public improvements.The cities of Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg are federally designated as entitlement areas and have CDBG funds identified specifically for those areas and are not included in the funds set aside for the remainder of the county.Robbins described the block grant program."Community Development Block Grants, referred to as CDBG, is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program that allocates funding annually to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to assist local jurisdictions implement community development initiatives that address three core goals to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities."Uses for the grants must meet one of three national objectives to qualify. The application must show that the planned use will provide a benefit to people with low and moderate income, aid in prevention or elimination of slums and blight, or address an urgent need such as earthquakes, flood or severe hurricane damage.A second public hearing will be held in October where interested organizations may obtain additional information and ask questions. The applications are due by Nov. 18. Applications will be approved between April and June 2017.Additional information is available through the Redevelopment Authority of Monroe County.