Representative of the United States Department of Agriculture and Communities Unlimited met with members of the Dumas Community to discuss the need for housing at the Dumas Fire Station #2 Thursday, April 6, 2023.
Over 20 people attended the meeting including the Dumas City Council, Several Communities Unlimited Representatives, John Boozman Representatives and other community members.
Audra Butler, community Unlimited Area Director of Rural Housing, led the discussion asking questions about the Dumas Community's housing needs and what resources are available in the community.
She said one way to collect information is to have people fill out a housing needs assessment with the majority of the work accomplished with three months of a start date. Once the information is collected, a housing task force will be formed to review the information. The task force will make sure they have all the information to put together a report and start a strategic planning process any in a 3-6 month time period. Depending on what is discovered in the needs assessment, the implementation part of the process will determine the time for future development projects.
She spoke about connecting with several members of the community like the mayor, non profits, housing authority, lenders, community workers, food bank, local employers and others to gather information. The vast majority of information collection will include town hall style meetings, focus groups, community engagement and surveys. She proposed posting information is a variety of ways and locations in addition to public meetings and online forms. She also proposed one on one style meetings to gather information.
She asked about homes that could be available for rent; how to support for landlords and have successful renters, help people who want to be successful homeowners; and if the water system can support more housing. She also described that local parks, sidewalks and local entertainment are apart of housing. Participants volunteered information about the community and who would be helpful in assisting with the project.
Jill Floyd, USDA Arkansas State Director of Rural Development, provided information on grants that could be available for citizens including seniors or low income people and the Dumas Community. Loan options are also available for middle income citizens.
For anyone interested in working the task force, to contact Linda Weatherford at linda.weatherford1243@gmail.com.
