The purpose of this letter is to express Orlando's appreciation for the cooperation extended by Orange County and its staff in planning, programming and implementing our respective Community Development Block Grant Programs.

By virtue of our joint efforts on such projects as
Washington Park, Ivey Lane and Columbia Street,
mutual benefits have accrued to both City and County
residents within the target neighborhoods. Through
coordinated efforts like these, much needed community
improvements are accomplished and maximum benefits
are derived from available tax dollars.

In looking to our respective third year (1977 - 78) CDBG programs, it is the City's desire to continue to work together to attack common problems within our contiguous target areas to effectively bring about positive neighborhood improvements.

The City is most grateful to the Orange County
Commission and staff for your continuing cooperation
in coordinating efforts on the Community Development
Block Grant Programs.

Mr. ALLEN. I would like now to call on Dan Cahill, the director of our community development and housing department, to explain a few mechanics of our program in Orange County.

STATEMENT OF DANIEL F. CAHILL, JR., DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE, ORANGE COUNTY, ORLANDO, FLA.

Mr. CAHILL. Well, while Commissioner Arthur explained the political and philosophical concerns of the program, I would like to review a few points on the mechanics of Orange County's community development.

The allocations for Orange, as an urban county, were $905,000 for the 1975-76 first program year; $2,046,000 for the second program year; and we expect about $3 million for the third program year.

Our projects were chosen as a result of extensive citizen participation. Over 70 meetings have been held within the identified target neighborhoods. Meetings were held in the evening when working residents could attend. The residents really picked the projects in order of priority, and a representative then presented these suggestions to the community development advisory board, which recommended a program to the board of county commissioners.

The 15-member advisory board includes many residents of the target neighborhoods. Planning, programing, and budgeting have always been in the county's hands. Much of the work is done in conjunction with cooperating municipalities. However, no city receives a set-aside or subgrant from the county.

Numerous jurisdictions that simply were too small to participate on their own have been able to work with the county in this program.

In Orange County, the community development program fostered local government involvement with housing, as Commissioner Arthur indicated. The county entered into an annual contributions contract with HUD for almost 500 units of section 8 housing assistance pay

ments.

To date the program has enjoyed much success. In fact, in a very brief period the change in Orange County with these two programs has really been dramatic.

Orange County government had no ongoing HUD programs 20 months ago. Now, community development is in full swing and the county has become a public housing agency for the first time.

We will continue, hopefully, to move forward in these areas.

Mr. ARTHUR. In conclusion, we in Orange County very much appreciate the resources and incentives that the community development program has provided us. It is already providing very positive results in improving neighborhoods and rekindling individual participation in neighborhood activities and building a new era of rapport and cooperation with local city governments.

We would respectfully ask you to renew the community development program, and we feel that the present funding levels are quite adequate for our needs. Thank you.

Mr. AUCOIN. I want to thank the witnesses.
Mr. Chavez, did you have testimony?