The City of Mount Vernon's Department of Planning and Community Development ("PCD") administers various federal, state and local funded programs designed to improve the physical, social and economic life of the City of Mount Vernon residents. PCD initiates specific development projects to address particular economic and housing needs and coordinates long-range planning for the City. Department personnel also acts as technical staff to the Mount Vernon Urban Renewal Agency, the Industrial Development Agency and the Planning Board and, as such, reviews all cases appearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Architectural Review Board. PCD is also responsible for the administration and operation of the Mount Vernon Parking Bureau and the City's Recycling Education Program.

PCD's main emphasis has been Planning and Zoning; Housing Management, Rehabilitation and Development; Economic Development; Urban Renewal; Environmental Assessment; Neighborhood Preservation; Community Relations and Grants Procurement.

The Department of Planning and Community Development, Mount Vernon Urban Renewal Agency and the Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency implement numerous activities and projects despite federal and state budget cuts, mandates without funding, and increased local demands to plan and administer new programs to meet the every growing needs of the community.

Ensuring equal opportunity to the various programs offered within the Department of Planning and Community Development is a commitment of the department. The City of Mount Vernon, as a recipient of Federal funding, is required to adopt an Affirmative Action Program ("AA"). This program exists to provide training and employment opportunities to lower income residents, equal opportunity in contract awarding and equal employment opportunity within the City and among contractors conducting business with the City of Mount Vernon.

In addition, the Affirmative Action Office has the responsibility of carrying out the following duties to ensure that all have equal access to the department's programs.

• Certifying contractor participation in the Residential Rehabilitation Program.
• Registering those businesses wishing to be identified as minority and women owned.
• Conducting informal/fair hearings for Section 8 Existing Certified and Voucher Program.
• Acting as the City's Fair Housing and Contract Compliance Officer.

Through it all PCD demonstrates its commitment to furthering the physical, social and economic development of the Mount Vernon community.