What is Community Development?
Community development activities build stronger and more resilient communities through an ongoing process of identifying and addressing needs, assets, and priority investments. Community development activities may support infrastructure, economic development projects, installation of public facilities, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, homeowner assistance, and many other identified needs.
Community development is a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems. Community well-being (economic, social, environmental, and cultural) often evolves from this type of collective action being taken at a grassroots level.
Our Department
The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) offers a wide variety of services that are specifically designed to maintain and expand the Barberton community as a great place to live, work, and play. Many of our services are funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Participation and Representation
The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) maintains active membership and board member status in several housing and community development organizations, including:
- National Community Development Association
- Ohio Conference of Community Development
- Summit County Continuum of Care
Questions & Comments
If you have any questions or comments regarding our community development programs, please contact the DPCD at 330-848-6729 or [email protected].