HUD DEVELOPS THE NEXT GENERATION OF
COMMUNITY PLANNING SOFTWARE

Conceived by HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) under the name Community Planning Software Plus (CPS+), the package is a special edition of Caliper's Maptitude Geographic Information System (GIS) For Windows. The new software does everything that the first generation of software (CPS) did, but it is much easier to use for persons not proficient with computers and is compatible with any database management or word processing system on the market.

HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo has called the new software a "home run," adding that it is part of "a future where no one is left behind and everyone has access to technology which allows them to reach as high as their talents and hard work will take them."

Local governments apply for funds from HUD by submitting a five year Consolidated Plan to CPD. The Consolidated Plan is a new community development planning process instituted by the Clinton Administration to improve efficiency in the grant application and review process. The Consolidated Plan combines planning, application, and reporting requirements for four major HUD formula programs into one comprehensive plan. These programs include Community Development Block Grants, HOME, Emergency Shelter Grants, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS.

Citizens, businesses, and neighborhood organizations are included in and affected by the Consolidated Planning process locally. CPS+ is also a new way for HUD to share information with public interest groups, non-profit organizations, businesses, and residents. CPS+ will allow local and state governments as well as their citizens to quickly see and understand information about their communities, and to plan HUD projects that meet their concerns.

CPS+ is designed especially to provide access to users who are not familiar with the Geographic Information System. Special software features including a "Map Library" will guide users through a wide selection of customized map displays featuring colors, patterns, and charts, while a system of interactive data screens will provide streamlined access to project descriptions, project funding information and more.

Special features are also built into this edition to make it easy for users to create their own maps that display a wide range of characteristics about their community and store them in their "Map Library." Through this powerful combination of mapping software and data bases, CPS+ will enable end-users to:

• Create maps that display housing conditions, economic indicators and population characteristics;

• Review project descriptions from HUD grantees;

• Understand the impact of program initiatives on neighborhoods and communities;

• Propose their own projects and display affected areas on a map; and

• Submit Consolidated Plans and annual updates electronically to CPD.

CPS+ will leverage the strengths of Maptitude by providing access to complete mapping and information visualization tools; convenient packaging of supporting geographic, demographic, and HUD program data; plus effective end-user documentation.

Inquiries concerning the uses and applications of the software may be addressed to Dick Burk at (202) 708-2096.