Aurora asking residents what they think about housing, development

Aurora residents, with 10 minutes and the click of a mouse, can be instrumental in shaping the city's future.

Officials are asking residents to log into the city's Web site and take an automated survey to help staff members set priorities for community development and housing needs.

The survey addresses topics such as homeownership and rental opportunities, personal safety, jobs and economic development, and the availability of public services.

Michael Kamon, director of neighborhood redevelopment, said the city surveys residents every five years to help determine the use of public funds, including the city's yearly allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds from the federal government.

The survey also will help define programs that will be introduced over the course of the next year, funded through the federal HOME program, economic stimulus package, and other sources.

Specifically, Kamon said, the survey is required by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to help the city draft a plan for spending the federal dollars it receives.

"These results will allow us to tell HUD we have identified our needs and objectives and gives us an outline for the funding we receive for public infrastructure, housing rehabilitation and other public services," Kamon said. "Getting residents to participate in the survey is the first step in that process."

Focus group meetings with aldermen, city staff and partner agencies will follow with at least one meeting, scheduled for Sept. 29, to develop needs and possible objectives based on the early survey results.

After being online less than a week, Kamon said Thursday more than 100 residents already have participated in the survey, which will be available until the final plans are presented Dec. 8 to the city council.

"Having 100 is great for less than a week but we need input from many, many more residents and stakeholders to make this work," he said.

The survey is available on the city of Aurora homepage at www.aurora-il.org/.