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3 <br />STATEMENT OF INTENT <br />The County of Orange recognizes that citizen participation is an essential component in the <br />planning and development of our housing and community development programs. It is our intent <br />to provide citizens with adequate information and opportunity to participate in every aspect of <br />our program. Specifically, the goals of the plan include the following: <br />1. Provide for the institution and operation of a Citizen Participation process whereby <br />citizen representatives adequately reflect the geographic areas and social, ethnic and <br />economic groups of the County. <br />2. Provide for continuing direct access for citizen representatives to the Board of <br />Commissioners, the County Manager and other County staff in order to increase citizen <br />involvement and contributions in the Community Development process. <br />3. Provide citizens with timely and current information concerning public resources, plans <br />and programs for the utilization of these resources and other activities afforded the <br />citizens. <br />4. Provide the Board of Commissioners, the County Manager and other County and Town <br />officials with timely and current information regarding citizens' needs, plans, projects, <br />relative priorities and recommendations for action by the County. <br />STANDARDS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION <br />The County shall provide a process for citizen participation at the county and/or neighborhood <br />level, as appropriate, which shall include the following: <br />1. All aspects of citizen participation shall be conducted in an open manner, with freedom of <br />access for all interested persons. <br />2. Low and moderate income citizens, members of minority groups, special population <br />groups residents of neighborhood revitalization areas or others directly affected by <br />proposed housing and community development programs shall be encouraged to <br />participate in the various phases of program development and implementation. Persons <br />of low and moderate income who are residents of slum and blight areas will also be <br />encouraged to participate in program development and implementation. <br />3. All reasonable efforts shall be taken to ensure continuity of participation by citizens and <br />citizen organizations throughout various stages of program development and <br />implementation. <br />