TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County residents can now participate in an online survey that will allow citizens to express their views regarding the needs and conditions of the community in which they live or work.

The Community Needs Survey will assist the county in identifying emerging trends and in establishing priorities for the use of federal funds to address the needs of low-income populations.

The survey takes about eight minutes to complete. The survey will remain open to responses through March 19, 2020.

The survey questions broadly cover community development issues, including:

• The public service needs of low-income citizens in the areas of employment, child care, health, education and substance abuse
• The need to prevent homelessness and provide housing, shelter and case management to people who are experiencing homelessness
• The need for affordable housing and various community improvements, including infrastructure improvements

The survey results will help guide the county’s writing of the Consolidated Plan, a forward-looking strategic plan covering county fiscal years 2021 to 2025.

The plan will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in May 2020.

The survey is available on the Department of Planning website.