City staff told the Community Development Commission on Oct. 9 that outreach for the January 2025 Neighborhood Public Meetings drew 5,207 attendees and produced 1,202 combined survey responses and comments, and that most feedback came from the city’s targeted high‑impact ZIP codes.

"We received 5,207 individuals in total, attendance for the past, public neighborhood public meetings," said Shana Toney, Program and Compliance Manager, Budget and Management Services, Grants Division, who presented the outreach and engagement summary. Toney said the outreach program combined in‑person flyer distribution, partnerships with city departments and neighborhood anchors, translations and ADA‑accessible materials, and social‑media promotion.

Why it matters: The consolidated plan and annual action plan depend on public input. Toney said the outreach effort aimed to “strengthen community engagement decision making,” build trust and transparency, ensure equitable access to public meetings and “gather meaningful and actionable public feedback.” The presentation showed that 75% of survey participants came from the city’s identified high‑impact ZIP codes and that the outreach campaign doubled combined survey/comment participation from the prior year.

What staff reported: The outreach timeline covered public meetings and a telephone town hall in January 2025, survey collection from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2025, and targeted site visits to libraries, recreation centers, businesses and places of worship across multiple ZIP codes. Toney reported 821 completed surveys and 381 comments (1,202 combined). Social media and web metrics cited included over 2,000 Facebook accounts reached, 1,800 Instagram engagements, 347 Twitter engagements and 213 views of the BMS Community Development website; two videos had 397 combined views and LinkedIn received 48 likes.

Survey results and priorities: Toney summarized top priorities identified by respondents: after‑school and out‑of‑school programs (35% named this as the most important human and social service need), broad support for multiple housing programs to increase affordable housing supply, and strong support (over 67% in the presentation) for continuing public‑infrastructure funding in eligible areas. The presentation also showed majority support for funding services addressing homelessness and services for persons affected by HIV/AIDS.

How outreach was done: Toney said staff distributed flyers and met residents directly at targeted locations in 21 ZIP codes, focusing on high‑impact areas such as South Oak Cliff and Pleasant Grove. The meetings included hybrid and virtual formats as well as in‑person sessions at Willie B. Johnson Recreation Center and J.C. Zaragoza Recreation Center, and the schedule included a daytime senior meeting and an evening town‑hall format planned for the next cycle.

Commission reaction: Chair Mills and other commissioners praised staff outreach. Chair Mills said the face‑to‑face outreach “really paid dividends” and encouraged continuation of the approach. Commissioners requested the engagement materials and metrics be available for review ahead of the November meeting and discussed next steps for incorporating feedback into the Consolidated Plan and the substantial amendment process.

Next steps: Staff said the neighborhood public meetings will follow a similar schedule next year, with one in‑person and one hybrid meeting to be held in conjunction with the Jan. 2026 commission meeting, a daytime session focused on seniors, and an evening neighborhood meeting plus a town hall. Toney said staff will finish review of draft flyers and finalize the outreach plan, and commissioners asked for the metrics packet and for staff to present results at the November meeting.