Cobb County residents mark your calendars – a key meeting to discuss the fate of over $5.5 million in federal funds aimed at helping the homeless and vulnerable populations is on the docket this month. According to a public notice released by the Cobb County CDBG Program Office, the community is invited to voice opinions on how these federal dollars should be spent.

The public review meeting, slated for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at the CDBG Program Office in Marietta GA, will tackle updates on the HOME-ARP Program where folks at risk of homelessness, those who are homeless and other vulnerable groups stand to benefit—promising to be a crucial platform for public input. The public comment period kicks off on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, and will run through the end of the month, giving residents a fifteen-day window to make their voices heard; comments can be hurled directly to the Cobb County CDBG Program Office via phone or email.

Unveiled in the shadows of the pandemic, the HOME-ARP program, infused with $5 billion from Congress's American Rescue Plan in 2021, has Cobb County earmarked for a whopping $5,551,090.00 million. The county's allocation plan was green-lit by the Department of Housing and Urban Development just over two years ago, indicating where the funds are going and for what—and those details are up for public scrutiny.

Those who can't make it to the meeting can still have a say, just submit your thoughts during the public comment window, you can pick up the phone and dial (770) 528-1455 or shoot an email to [email protected], whether you’ve got fresh takes on updated parts of the allocation plan or just want to endorse or argue the specifics, here's your chance. More details on the upcoming meeting and everything HOME-ARP can be found on the Cobb County website.