Foley, Ala. - (OBA) - The city of Foley is inviting residents to join a discussion regarding its newly planned Resilient Housing Plan on Tuesday, May 23. The initiative aims to safeguard local housing from the effects of hurricanes and other calamities.

An Information and Listening Session is scheduled to take place at the City Hall Council Chambers from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This session is designed to allow Foley’s residents to familiarize themselves with the plan's current status and provide feedback on the project's direction, purpose, and potential results.

This initiative follows the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Sally in Foley. The aftermath of the storm highlighted the need for investment in resilience and hazard mitigation planning in the city.

The city has recently been chosen as a pilot community to formulate a Resilient Housing Plan, thanks to an EPA-funded project called "Community Resilience Housing Guide: Creating a Stronger Post-Disaster Housing Framework for the Gulf Coast." As part of this project, Foley is collaborating with a team composed of Smart Home America, Mississippi State University’s Gulf Coast Community Design Studio, and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.

The Resilient Housing Plan's main goal is to minimize the damage and loss of existing housing and secure funding post-storm to mitigate losses. Moreover, the plan will explore better planning and building standards for new and renovated housing, aiming to minimize future damage and loss.