Colton Announces Studies to Guide Future Housing, Development Investments

The beginning stages of a five-year plan to identify community development and affordable housing needs in Colton is underway. A release issued last week by the City of Colton states that the Development Services Department is working with San Bernardino County officials to begin this plan and set priorities for federal grand funds in addressing the community's needs. The release also states that an analysis of barriers to fair housing is being conducted and two public community meetings this month will facilitate input from Colton residents. The meetings will take place Monday, Oct. 20 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Luque Center, 292 East O Street, and the following Monday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Gonzales Community Center, 670 Colton Avenue. The community development plan, known as the Five-Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan, "assesses the current housing market, discusses characteristics of the county population, identifies community improvement priorities, and outlines a plan to fund and implement them," the release states. The fair housing study - the “Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice” - will identify hurdles to equal housing access and will "propose fair and affordable housing strategies to overcome those impediments," according to the release. Input from local residents via the upcoming meetings and an online survey will "heavily influence" the process. The meetings aim to give Colton residents an opportunity to incorporate their opinions and perceptions into the County's plans, the release states. The online survey is available to the public now through Nov. 7 at www.surveymonkey.com/s/SanBernardinoCounty. A draft of the completed plans will be posted for public comment at www.sbcounty.gov beginning February 2015.