KANKAKEE, IL (February 4, 2021) – The Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) needs residents to take four community needs surveys to help determine the current priorities and concerns within the city from the perspective of our residents. The last set of surveys were collected during Fall 2019 and that data has helped the ECDA prepare summaries and set strategies for addressing those concerns shared during the past few years.

“The results from our Fall 2019 surveys helped to identify the second ward as a high priority neighborhood for public safety funding,” stated ECDA Director, Barbi Brewer-Watson. “With this information, the City was able to gain support for the Strong Neighborhoods house program. This program allows access to provide opportunities and resources that meet everyone’s needs in the community so they can plan for a bright future.”

The four surveys open to residents are:

• Housing Needs - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/kankakeehousingneeds2021
• Non-Housing Needs - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/kankakeenonhousingneeds2021
• Homeless Needs - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/kankakeehomelessneeds2021
• Economic Needs - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/kankakeeeconomicneeds2021

 

“As the City continues to evolve, the team has introduced surveys which are critical to helping us determine the needs in our community and direct how we prioritize those needs. This is an important step for our residents to raise their voices and directly express their concerns. I encourage residents to spend some time completing the surveys to better enhance our efforts in being responsive to the community,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.

These surveys are necessary because the City of Kankakee has the Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The primary objectives of the CDBG program are to provide decent housing, a suitable living environment and expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons and neighborhoods.

CDBG rules require the City of Kankakee to develop a consolidated plan every five years and Kankakee delegates that responsibility to the Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA). HUD encourages the lead agency to consult with interested parties including agencies, groups, organizations, income-eligible persons and other interested parties. Therefore, residential feedback is needed to help establish their program priorities for the next five years.

The surveys are open through Friday, April 30, 2021 on the ECDA’s website at https://ecda.citykankakee-il.gov/communityneeds.php where they can be completed online.

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About the Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA):

The Kankakee Economic and Community Development (ECDA) is a local government agency whose mission is to improve the lives of Kankakee residents and enhance the economic vitality of communities through housing, economic development and community development. The ECDA administers programs that serve the neighborhoods and residents of the City of Kankakee provided by federal, state and local funding. For more information, contact ECDA at 815-933-0506, Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit our website at https://ecda.citykankakee-il.gov/.

About the City of Kankakee, Illinois:

The City of Kankakee is dedicated to protecting, building and nurturing the community while enhancing lives. We are a historic, vibrant and active riverfront community. We continue to transform into an extraordinary place to dream, grow and thrive. Embracing our diversity, we strive to be progressive, inclusive and innovative. For more information on the City of Kankakee, please visit the website at www.citykankakee-il.gov.

 

Download the Press Release - ECDA Launches 2021 Community Needs Surveys and Needs Residential Participation