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29 <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 />