The City of Valdosta Neighborhood Development Division, along with the Fair Housing Committee, will utilize three focus groups to address neighborhood housing conditions and possible barriers to equal housing in Valdosta. The focus groups will meet at the following times and locations:

· Thursday, March 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Morning Star Baptist Church, located at 1051 Howell Road;

· Saturday, March 7, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at the River Street Church of Christ, located at 619 River Street; and

· Saturday, March 7, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, located at 505 E. Force Street.

“We want residents to share their views and experiences with us, so the city may consider ways to overcome barriers that may exist here in Valdosta,” said Pastor David Adams, Fair Housing Committee Vice Chair.

Each focus group will have about 10-15 participants, who are required to be residents of one of the city’s 17 neighborhoods in the Designated Revitalization Area (DRA).

The focus group meetings will be coordinated by the Center for Applied Social Science Research at Valdosta State University.  Interested residents need to pre-register by calling VSU at (229) 293-6058. 

The results of the focus group meetings are expected to be presented to the Valdosta City Council by the end of May 2015.  Alternate formats or translation assistance will be made available upon request.  For additional information, citizens may contact the city's Neighborhood Development Division at (229) 671-3617.