City of Cape Girardeau - Community Needs Assessment

Community Needs Assessment

The City of Cape Girardeau is eligible to receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) due to its population, demographics and available funding. The City estimates it will receive approximately $324,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in each of the next 5 years. These funds primarily benefit low-to moderate income households, and can be used for affordable housing, economic and workforce development, community facilities and neighborhood revitalization and stabilization.
The survey is primarily for residents of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The survey will be available March 10, 2025 – April 21, 2025.
This survey is designed to collect public opinion regarding how the City should use its federal funds. This survey is voluntary, your answers will be kept confidential, and you may choose not to answer any question. Please do not take this survey more than once. Thank you for providing your valuable input!
Definitions:

Affordable Housing: The cost of housing (rent/mortgage plus utilities) totals 30% or less of a household’s gross income. Low to Moderate Income Area: A census tract in which at least 51% of households have an income less than 80% of the Area Median Gross Income.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
1.Please rate the following areas based on level of need in your community.
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
New affordable single-family housing development for homeownership
Rehabilitation of existing housing for homewonership
Down payment assistance for homeownership
Construction of rental housing
Rental Vouchers (in addition to Section 8 and other local vouchers)
Rental housing for senior citizens
Accessibility improvements for elderly and persons with disabilities
Emergency homeless shelter
Housing for homeless individuals and families needing supportive services
Transitional housing for homeless youth (for individuals less than 18 years old)
Fair housing (efforts to reduce discrimination in housing)
Lead-based hazard, mold and asbestos mitigation
Residential historic preservation
Energy efficiency improvements (insulation, air-sealing, equipment upgrades)
Residential solar improvements (installation of active solar)
Housing for people with HIV/AIDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2.Please rate the level of need for each economic development activity CDBG funds can support.
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
Vocational training (specific skill development for highly needed jobs in the community)
Commercial/industrial development or rehabilitation (a majority of the employees on these projects must be low to moderate income)
Business mentoring (assisting new businesses in planning and budgeting)
Façade and infrastructure improvements for businesses in lower income neighborhoods
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
3.Please rate the following types of facilities CDBG funds should support with renovations, expansions or acquisitions based upon need.
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
Youth services (for individuals less than 18 years old)
Senior services
Services for persons with disabilities
Employment services
Health services
Services for individuals with HIV/AIDS
NEIGHBORHOOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND REVITALIZATION
4.Please rate the following areas based on level of need in your community that should be supported by CDBG funds.
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
Trash and debris removal
Tree planting along streets (street “scaping”)
Community gardens
Code enforcement for the exterior of buildings
Demolition of dilapidated buildings (those in a state of disrepair or ruin)
Storm water improvements in low income neighborhoods
Sanitary sewer improvements in low income neighborhoods
Street improvements
Street lighting
Sidewalk improvements
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility
Railroad crossing improvements
Parks and trails improvements
Bus shelters
Broadband/Internet Access
Legal Services
Services for battered/abused spouses
Services for abused/neglected youth
Youth Services
Mental Health Services
Please tell us about yourself
Demographics
5.Which Cape Girardeau Ward do you live in?
6.Are you of Hispanic, Latin, or Spanish origin?
7.What is your race?
8.What is your current housing status?
9.What type of housing do you live in?
10.What share of your monthly gross income is used for housing expenses (including utilities)?
11.What is the main language you speak at home?
12.Does anyone in your household have a disability?
13.How many individuals live in your household?
80% Area Median Income Thresholds
80% Median Income Thresholds
14.Is your annual household income at or below 80% of the area median income?