Warren County Commissioners approved an agreement to hire Forward Planning to conduct a countywide housing needs assessment and study, funded through a mix of county funds and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars.

Josh Cotton, the county’s grant writer, said nine proposals were received and Forward Planning was selected after vetting. The total contract is $83,100, which the county described as coming from a combination of county funding and CDBG dollars. "This the total of 83,100 that is a combination of, a variety of funding sources," a county official said, and the board voted to approve the agreement.

Commissioners thanked staff for securing the funding and said the study responds to needs identified in both the county and city comprehensive plans. The approved contract includes the county’s share and a separate human-services allocation previously discussed in the meeting.

The study will inform planning and future program priorities; the contract award was approved by voice vote in the meeting excerpt: "All in favor signify by saying aye? Aye. Approve the agreement."