Part I: This is the first in a series of reports on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program in the City of Harrisburg. Because of the percentage of low-income people and communities in Harrisburg, it is considered an "Entitlement Grantee." Therefore, each year the City receives HUD funds, which are to be strictly used to improve the quality of life of its impoverished residents and areas.

HUD outlines a process of evaluation, planning, and allocation. Every 5 years, the City is required to assess itself and analyze its needs in order to develop a Consolidated Five Year Plan. The Consolidated Plan must define the City's HUD goals and develop a strategy to meet them. As the City progresses through its five years, an Annual Action Plan is devised to implement the Consolidated Plan.

Currently, the City is in the midst of its 2010-2015 plan attempting to meet the following goals: 1) Increased homeownership 2) Creating affordable housing 3) Creating jobs. This video not only gives a general overview of the HUD process but also shows the blight and disrepair existent in the City of Harrisburg.

Writer & producer: Tara Leo Auchey.

Photo editor: Natalie Cake.