42 U.S.C. § 12707 — Citizen participation

(a) In general: Before submitting a housing strategy, a jurisdiction must (1) tell its citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties how much assistance it expects to get, and the range of things it might use that assistance for; (2) publish a proposed housing strategy in a way that gives citizens, agencies, and other interested parties a real chance to review it and comment; (3) hold at least one public hearing to hear what citizens, agencies, and others think the jurisdiction's housing needs are; and (4) give citizens, agencies, and others reasonable access to records showing how the jurisdiction used any assistance it received over the past 5 years. (b) Notice and comment: Before submitting a performance report or a major change to a housing strategy, a participating jurisdiction must give citizens reasonable notice and a chance to comment on it first. (c) Consideration of comments: When preparing a final housing strategy, an amendment to one, or a performance report, the jurisdiction must consider the comments and views citizens gave. It must attach a summary of those comments when it submits the document. The submitted strategy, amendment, or report must then be made available to the public. (d) Regulations: The Secretary must write regulations setting up procedures -- fair and practical ones -- for giving citizens a fair hearing and a timely resolution when they complain about a housing strategy or performance report.