Final rule posted on consolidated plans

Applicants for the Community Planning and Development formula grant programs may want to take a look right away at today's final rule announcement on procedures for forming state and local Consolidated Plans. The rule takes effect March 13. Among a number of "streamlining" changes: jurisdictions may now incorporate other documents by reference, e.g. Continuum of Care plans, in order to reduce paperwork. On the other hand, the new rules call for more inclusive public participation steps that may involve more administrative hassle. In addition to the actual new rules, the preamble contains lots of clues to HUD's preferences, notably a reference to the City of Seattle/King County approach as a model for integrating a Consolidated Plan, a Continuum of Care plan, and a plan to reduce homelessness.