Colorado Springs asks residents where $5 million should be allocated

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- How would you spend $5 million? That's what Colorado Springs is asking its residents.

Every year the City gets millions of dollars in federal funding to be distributed to affordable housing, homelessness prevention, economic development, non-profit assistance, and neighborhood improvements 

A policy analyst with Colorado Springs Barb Van Hoy says the city is asking people to go online and fill out a quick survey of how they think those funds should be spent. “We want to get citizens' input on the very best possible way to spend them in the communities that need them the most,” Van Hoy says.

In the past, Van Hoy says people typically chose to allocate money towards an issue everyone in the Springs has experienced. “One of the big stories of course in Colorado Springs is the price of housing has just been going up and up,” Van Hoy says.

This year, with Coronavirus on everyone's minds, Van Hoy anticipates housing will be focused on once again.

“The pandemic is going to continue to have a huge impact on issues around affordable housing and homelessness and food needs assistance, other public services,” Van Hoy says.

Citizens have until December 11th to fill out the survey. There will also be a virtual meeting on Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. where people can attend and also express their opinions.