2019-2020 Y36 AAP COVID Amendment v1.9
Annual Action Plan
2019
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The City is amending the Action Plan from 2019 to meet the urgent needs of low- and moderate-income
residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, and avoid job
losses caused by business closures.
Executive Summary
AP-05 Executive Summary - 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b)
1. Introduction
The City of Northampton is pleased to submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development Year 5 of the City's Five Year Consolidated Plan for 2015-2020. For the program year, July
1, 2019-June 30, 2020, the City will receive $670,267 for the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Program. This document outlines how the City will allocate and expend these funds. The City is
committed to working with community partners to assist those most in need.
Included in the Attachments is a sampling of the myriad of activities occurring locally and regionally to
further the goals of addressing homelessness and creating safe, healthy, affordable, and accessible living
environments for all.
The City of Northampton (City) is pleased to submit to HUD this second amendment to its Year 5 Action
Plan from the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan. The City is amending the Action Plan from 2019 to meet the
urgent needs of low- and moderate-income residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, prevent
further spread of COVID-19, and avoid job losses caused by business closures. The City will receive
$646,052 in Cares Act funding.
2. Summarize the objectives and outcomes identified in the Plan
This could be a restatement of items or a table listed elsewhere in the plan or a reference to
another location. It may also contain any essential items from the housing and homeless needs
assessment, the housing market analysis or the strategic plan.
The City will allocate the funds as follows:
Housing Activities: $445,905
• Homeownership Center - Valley CDC $33,000 for financial assistance to First Time Homebuyers
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• Housing Rehabilitation Program - Pioneer Valley Planning Commission $262,905 ($96,674 new
year funds; $166,231 carried over from last year)
• Village Hill Affordable Housing Projects - $150,000 (carried over from last year) for acquisition of
parcel for development of rental units for families
• May also include legal work from legal aid group to help with tenancy protection, court
intervention, and mediation to preserve at-risk tenancies
Public Facilities/Access: $456,824
• Property Improvements/handicap accessibility improvements (4 sites) - Northampton Housing
Authority $40,000
• Costs associated with the acquisition, rehab, and/or consultation to create a resiliency-hub to
serve low- and moderate-income people and those most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic
and extreme weather events, such as people experiencing homelessness, will use $416,824 in
CV funding. This would be a day shelter, which the City will allocate an additional $1,450,000 of
its own money towards.
Public Infrastructure/Access $144,986
• 30 Sidewalk Wheelchair Ramps - $144,986
Economic Development $225,000
• Micro-Business Assistance Program and Special Economic Development Activities administered
by Valley CDC ($25,000 CDBG entitlement, $20,000 CV funding)
• Special Economic Development grants: $125,000 small business grants
• Micro-Business Grants for businesses of less than five people that will be administered by the
Office of Planning & Sustainability ($55,000 CV Funding)
Public Services: $257,421
• 11 Social Service Programs $125,715 ( with $175.00 program income from prior year)
• Storage lockers for people who are experiencing homelessness or those living out of the
homeless shelter: run by a service agency or the City ($5,000 CV funding)
• Emergency homeless services: Homeless site cleanup, clean up abandoned sites that are a
threat to public health and safety, either hire outside vendor or pay City staff ($5,000 CV
Funding)
• Temporary emergency rental and utility arrears program for low- and moderate-income people
for a period up to three consecutive months ($94,956 CV funding)
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• Emergency Food Pantry: Northampton Survival Center will distribute food to people who are
food insecure ($20,000 CV Funding)
• Food Insecurity Project: MANNA Soup Kitchen will provide hot meals to people who are food
insecure ($5,000 CV Funding)
• Literacy Project: Pathways to Success will provide adult basic education to adults for college and
career readiness ($1,750 CV Funding)
Administration and Planning: $178,325
• Administration of CDBG Program and Housing and Community Development activities using CF
funding
• Office of Planning & Sustainability will administer micro-enterprise grants
CDBG 19 Award: $670,267
CV Funding: $646,052
Carry Over Funds:$461,583
Total: $1,708,461
3. Evaluation of past performance
This is an evaluation of past performance that helped lead the grantee to choose its goals or
projects.
This is the second amendment to the 2019 Action plan during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in
accordance with HUD CPD guidance, this section will not be updated.
The 2018-2019 CDBG Program Year successfully addressed a myriad of City community development
goals. The Housing Rehabilitation Program continued to operate smoothly, improving the homes of
single-family income-eligible residents for years to come; the 82 Bridge Street project through Valley
CDC saw the relocation of the existing tenants and the beginning of construction to convert the 15
existing units to enhanced SRO's with 16 units to be added in a new building addition; Valley CDC also
celebrated the opening of the Lumber Yard Apartments and welcomed 55 residents into a beautiful new
building in the heart of the downtown; Valley CDC and The Community Builders moved forward on the
construction bids for the 12 units proposed for 35 Village Hill Road and submitted the One Stop
Application to the State for the Village Hill North project (53 affordable rental units); Habitat for
Humanity completed the final home at the Garfield Ave. development and started site work and housing
construction on 4 lots at the Glendale Road site creating 5 energy-efficient affordable homeownership
opportunities for people unable to access the market otherwise; and public services promoting housing
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stability, food security, economic empowerment, and improved health were delivered efficiently and
compassionately to hundreds of Northampton residents.
4. Summary of Citizen Participation Process and consultation process
Summary from citizen participation section of plan.
Citizen input is an on-going process throughout the year. Public meetings regarding the Cares Act Round
III funding were held on January 4, 2021, via Zoom video meeting software. Participants were
encouraged to ask questions through the audio/video channel or the chat function or submit comments
after the meetings.
Monthly meetings of the Northampton Housing Partnership, the Next Step Collaborative, the Disabilities
Commission, and the Community Preservation Committee are regular settings for sharing and
exchanging information and collecting CDBG funding suggestions. These committees were reached out
to get input regarding the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, the city used and considered focus groups and
targeted interviews during the city’s 2019 analysis of impediments to fair housing, the city’s 2019
panhandling/downtown homelessness, the city’s 2019-2020 update of the ADA Transition/Section 504
Plan update, and the City’s 2020 Resilience Hub/Homeless Day Center informal working group (city and
public service agencies) in collecting input for this Action Plan. All meetings are advertised, are open to
the public, and reasonable accommodations for the hearing impaired were available.
5. Summary of public comments
This could be a brief narrative summary or reference an attached document from the Citizen
Participation section of the Con Plan.
See minutes of the public hearings attached.
There was XXX written submission that was accepted, during the CDBG public hearing process. It is
summarized below and the original is included in the attachments.
6. Summary of comments or views not accepted and the reasons for not accepting them
All public input received through the Citizen Participation process of this amendment was taken into
consideration.
7. Summary
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PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies – 91.200(b)
1. Agency/entity responsible for preparing/administering the Consolidated Plan
Describe the agency/entity responsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan and those responsible for administration of each grant
program and funding source.
Agency Role Name Department/Agency
Lead Agency NORTHAMPTON
CDBG Administrator Planning & Sustainability
HOPWA Administrator
HOME Administrator
HOPWA-C Administrator
Table 1 – Responsible Agencies
Narrative (optional)
The City of Northampton administers the Community Development Block Grant Program through the Office Planning & Sustainability.
Previously, it was administered through the Office of the Mayor. Staffing consists of the Community Development Planner, the Grants
Administrator who manages the fiscal component of the program, and the Director of Planning & Sustainability who oversees the operations.
Consolidated Plan Public Contact Information
Keith Benoit, Community Development Planner, (413) 587-1288 kbenoit@northamptonma.gov
Teresa Brockriede, Grants Administrator, (413) 587-1286 tbrockriede@northamptonma.gov
Wayne Feiden, Director Planning & Sustainability, (413) 587-1265 wfeiden@northamptonma.gov
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AP-10 Consultation – 91.100, 91.200(b), 91.215(l)
1. Introduction
The community development strategy is informed by extensive local collaboration, especially during the
COVID-19 pandemic where the needs are changing. Through active engagement, the City listens to
services providers, the people who need relief, and from the institutional learning created by previous
working groups, like the Mayorâ¿¿s task force on panhandling, and current working groups like the
Resilience Hub planning team. The Mayorâ¿¿s Office, the Office of Planning & Sustainability, the
Cityâ¿¿s Health Department, and other teams in the City.
Western MA Network to End Homelessness: Regional network comprised of all four western MA
counties formed to implement, through an open and inclusive process valuing the diversity of our
communities, a regional system that strives to end family and individual homelessness by providing
housing and support services; prevention, diversion, rapid re-housing strategies and stabilization of at-
risk households. Monthly meetings each for Individual, Family, Veteran's, Unaccompanied Youth and
Victims of Domestic Violence services.Â
Council of Social Service Agencies of Hampshire County: A membership organization of non-profit
providers working together for more than 30 years to support the coordination and effectiveness of
human services in the county. Monthly meetings are held focusing on resources, funding opportunities,
community education, outreach and advocacy.
Three County Rural Continuum of Care: Quarterly Board meetings focus on uniform assessment,
coordinated entry, Homeless Management Information System data collection and analysis, McKinney
funded homelessness programming and planning. Collaborative applicant recently shifted from Hilltown
CDC to Community Action of Pioneer Valley earlier this program year.
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission: Quarterly meetings of the Regional Housing Plan Implementation
Committee. Networking venue for those involved in preserving and creating affordable housing in 43
Cities and towns. Also venue for Inclusive Communities Advisory Committee which focuses on fair
housing.
Hampshire County Jail Diversion Program: Quarterly meetings with the Dept. of Mental Health, the
Hampshire County House of Corrections and the Northampton Police Department to work on service
referrals for people as opposed to incarceration.
Cot Management Program: Monthly meetings during the winter sheltering season with Friends of
Hampshire County Homeless Board members and community volunteers in conjunction with ServiceNet,
Inc. to oversee shelter operation.
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Valley CDC / Wayfinders: Quarterly meetings with property managers and local service providers to
ensure stable housing for the residents of their affordable housing developments to prevent evictions.
Next Step Collaborative: Monthly meetings facilitated by the Community Development Planner for
housing and homeless service providers to monitor shelter capacity issues, numbers of unsheltered
homeless, identification of resource gaps, general advocacy.
Northampton Housing Partnership: Monthly meetings of Mayoral appointed advisory board to articulate
the housing needs of the community, following the implementation plan articulated in the 2011 Housing
Needs Assessment and Strategic Housing Plan. Composed of a landlord, Community Legal Aid attorney,
Housing Authority tenant, housing advocates, clergy and interested citizens.
Mayor's Office: Monthly meetings with Mayor, Mayor's Chief of Staff, Economic Development Director,
Director of Planning and Sustainability, to insure a coordinated City community development program.
Provide a concise summary of the jurisdiction’s activities to enhance coordination between
public and assisted housing providers and private and governmental health, mental health
and service agencies (91.215(l))
The Mayor commissioned and received a report in 2019 on panhandling that took survey results from
people in the community and people actively panhandling on the street. The surveys to panhandlers
were done in person and asked questions regarding their demographics, needs, and experiences. This
report has informed the planning process and the service providers needed as the City is in the
beginning stages of planning a resiliency hub. This will serve those frontline communities that rely on
the coordination of government, housing providers, mental health clinics, and other service
providers. The resiliency hub planning committee is receiving recommendations on who else should be
involved in the planning process and is actively reaching out to those individuals.Â
The Housing Partnership hosts the Valley Community Development Corporation, Friends of Hampshire
County Homeless Individuals, The Community Builders, Habitat for Humanity, the Northampton Housing
Authority, the Center for Human Development and others periodically to receive agency updates and
identify ways the City and the Partnership can assist their efforts. These meetings identify what housing
units are in the development pipeline and what resources might be needed to provide on-site support
services. A meeting was held last year to identify how to create Housing First units in Northampton.
Follow up work is occurring with the Department of Mental Health to pursue creating a Safe Havens
program. Creating true Housing First, low threshold housing units is a prioritized need still being worked
on.
The Community Development Planner communicates regularly with the Senior Manager of Public
Housing and Section 8 Programs and the Resident Services Coordinator at the Northampton Housing
Authority to enhance collaborative efforts. City staff attend the Valley CDC provider meetings to identify
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how the City can be of service to their housing stabilization efforts. Those meetings are attended by
mental health professionals and clinicians. the SRO Outreach Coordinator, the Veterans Agent, Veteran's
Administration case workers, ServiceNet, Inc. Highland Valley Elder Services and others who all focus on
tenancy preservation and housing stabilization for their clients. Way Finders have adopted this model of
coordination of support services for the Live 155 development.
Next Step Collaborative monthly meetings include representation from Eliot Homeless Services, the
mental health agency that has the Department of Mental Health vendor contract for homeless street
outreach and clinical work, ServiceNet shelter providers, the Veterans Agent, Safe Passage (DV), A
Positive Place (HIV/AIDS), Cooley Dickinson Social Workers, Peer Mentors from the Recovery Center,
formerly homeless, currently homeless, ServiceNet's Resource Center which includes Health Care for the
Homeless nurses, The SRO Outreach Worker, the Community Housing Support Services Coordinator, and
others. These meetings have been held monthly since 1994 and consistently provide a venue for
enhanced coordination with homeless, housing and social service providers.
Describe coordination with the Continuum of Care and efforts to address the needs of
homeless persons (particularly chronically homeless individuals and families, families with
children, veterans, and unaccompanied youth) and persons at risk of homelessness.
The Hilltown Community Development Corporation, which assumed the role of Collaborative Applicant
for the Three County Rural Continuum of Care several years ago from the City of
Northampton, relinquished that role earlier this year. Community Action of Pioneer Valley agreed to
become the new lead agency. Under Hilltown's and the CoC board's leadership, strides were made in
enhancing the HMIS data collection, analysis and dissemination, creation of the coordinated entry
system and production and adoption of CoC policies and procedures. Successful McKinney applications
were submitted and approved each year, providing 1.6 million dollars in resources annually. (The
Executive Director of Community Action, Clare Higgins, was Mayor of Northampton during 12 of the 16
years that Northampton served as the lead agent for the Continuum, prior to relinquishing that role to
Hilltown). Community Action is in the process of completing that transition with HUD, has hired a CoC
coordinator and HMIS staff and will fully assume responsibility for the CoC in early summer. The Board
membership will be reinvigorated and outreach to the three counties of Berkshire, Franklin and
Hampshire will occur with renewed efforts. The CoC utilizes the committee structure of the Western
Mass Network to End Homelessness to address the needs of the chronically homeless through the
Individual Services Committee, the needs of families through the Family Services Committee, the needs
of Veterans through the Veteran's Services Committee and the needs of youth through the
Unaccompanied Youth Committee. The network also has a Domestic Violence Committee. All
committees meet monthly and are organized and facilitated by the Network Coordinator, who will work
closely with the new CoC Coordinator.
ServiceNet, Inc. has been the primary provider of permanent supported housing units through the
Continuum for many years. ServiceNet opted out of that administration this past year. The Center for
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Human Development stepped forward to assume that responsibility. The McKinney award of roughly
$600,000 each year, provides subsidies for 60 units in the three counties. There was a gap in funding
availability between the contracts, so people had to be relocated to other units before CHD could step
in. This effort was time consuming and stressful for all involved. Locally, there were 8-10 clients affected.
The City is grateful to CHD for coming forward to administer this resource and appreciates ServiceNet's
efforts over the past decade to house and provide services to those exiting homelessness. ServiceNet
will continue to administer its sheltering programs in all three counties. The City looks forward to
continuing its close collaboration with both agencies moving forward.
Describe consultation with the Continuum(s) of Care that serves the jurisdiction's area in
determining how to allocate ESG funds, develop performance standards for and evaluate
outcomes of projects and activities assisted by ESG funds, and develop funding, policies and
procedures for the operation and administration of HMIS
There are no municipalities in the Three County Continuum of Care that are ESG (Emergency Solutions
Grants Program) entitlement communities. ESG funding for the CoC is allocated by the State's
Department of Housing and Community Development through a competitive process. As part of the CoC
governance structure, the CoC engages in an annual discussion about what the funding priorities should
be and supports applications for funds from appropriate agencies for activities that address the
identified priorities. Funds in the past few years have been allocated for prevention efforts.
The Collaborative Applicant for the Continuum of Care has had a data committee focused on the HMIS
system and the AHAR submissions which have involved codifying the operation and administration of
the HMIS System. Community Action is in the process of investigating how to make the current HMIS
system more effective with the coordinated entry and by-name lists that HUD is requiring.
2. Describe Agencies, groups, organizations and others who participated in the process
and describe the jurisdiction’s consultations with housing, social service agencies and other
entities
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Table 2 – Agencies, groups, organizations who participated
1 Agency/Group/Organization CASA LATINA, INC.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing
Services-Elderly Persons
Services-Persons with HIV/AIDS
Services-Victims of Domestic Violence
Services-Health
Services-Education
Services-Employment
Service-Fair Housing
Neighborhood Organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
Casa Latina was formerly an independent agency now absorbed into Community
Action. The agency conducted case management activities during the transition to
a new umbrella organization. At the end of last year's programs was assumed by
Community Action of Pioneer Valley, Northampton allocated CDBG funding to
support that work. Additional bi-lingual staff are joining the existing Community
Resources and Advocacy team at Community Action to better serve the Latinx
community. As additional funding sources are secured, outreach to the Latinx
community will be enhanced.
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2 Agency/Group/Organization Center for Human Development
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing
Services-Elderly Persons
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Services-homeless
Services-Health
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homeless Needs - Families with children
Homelessness Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
CHD provides the administrative oversight for the Single Room Occupancy
Outreach Program and the Community Housing Support Services Program in
Northampton. The SRO Outreach Program was created in the late 1980's during the
deinstitutionalization of the Northampton State Hospital. This is a small one person
program that provides case management services to residents of the City's SRO's.
This is an integral component in our local continuum of care. The program also
operates a food pantry to address food insecurity. It is funded in part by CDBG. The
Community Housing Support Services Project is funded by the City's Community
Preservation Program and serves individuals and families facing eviction for non-
payment of rent. CHD is now administering the 60 PSH units awarded McKinney
Funding in the CoC application.
3 Agency/Group/Organization Center for New Americans
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Education
Services-Employment
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Economic Development
Anti-poverty Strategy
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Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
The Center for New Americans is a long time CDBG recipient that has been teaching
English and offering support services to immigrants in Western MA for over 27
years. Classes, careers coaching, citizenship and immigration legal services provide
stepping stones to new jobs, new businesses and new lives for immigrants in
Western MA.
4 Agency/Group/Organization Office of Planning and Sustainability
Agency/Group/Organization Type Other government - Local
Planning organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Homelessness Strategy
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Economic Development
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
Planning & Sustainability administers (January of 2020) the CDBG program, ADA
Coordinator, and Community Development. The Housing Partnership works in
partnership with Planning & Sustainability to further policies and zoning revisions
that encourage the production and preservation of affordable housing. The Zoning
Sub-Committee of the Housing Partnership meets periodically with the Assistant
Director to strategize how to support potentially controversial zoning proposals.
Partnership members provide testimony at public hearings.
5 Agency/Group/Organization Northampton Department of Public Works
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Persons with Disabilities
Services-homeless
Other government - Local
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homelessness Strategy
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Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
The Director of the Department of Public Works assisted with the development of
an encampment protocol to identify and address the presence of unsheltered
people living outside. The protocol sets out to identify land ownership and if the
City is the landowner, an outreach team is sent to conduct engagement and
assessment. Smith College has agreed to follow this protocol as well, and outreach
team contact information is given to any private property owner wishing to address
this situation as humanely as possible.
6 Agency/Group/Organization Community Action of the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin Regions, Inc.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Children
Services-Health
Services-Education
Services-Employment
Publicly Funded Institution/System of Care
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
Community Action of Pioneer Valley (new name) is the anti-poverty agency for the
Hampshire, Franklin counties. In addition to being a CDBG funded recipient for the
Community Resources and Youth Readiness Programs, Community Action has
assumed the role of the Collaborative Applicant for the McKinney Continuum of
Care for Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire Counties. They have also taken over the
mission and work of Casa Latina, which originated from Hampshire Community
Action decades ago. The agency also operates the HeadStart Program on Vernon
Street in Northampton and offers many programs to Northampton residents that
empower residents to secure economic self-sufficiency.
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7 Agency/Group/Organization Community Legal Aid, Inc.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Services-Victims of Domestic Violence
Services-homeless
Service-Fair Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Public Housing Needs
Homelessness Strategy
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Anti-poverty Strategy
Lead-based Paint Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
The City funds CLA with CDBG funds for its homelessness prevention program. The
program's staff attorneys interface with the Housing Authority and other affordable
housing providers to facilitate housing stability for households facing eviction,
particularly those already living in rent assisted subsidized units.
8 Agency/Group/Organization PIONEER VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Anti-poverty Strategy
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Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
Habitat is the City's partner in the creation of affordable home ownership
opportunities. With limited State funding for homeownership projects, Habitat is
the sole organization addressing this prioritized need. Work on the remaining home
in the Garfield neighborhood has been completed after many years. 6 homes are
now built and occupied! Work also is progressing on the 4 new homes on Glendale
Road. Both projects have received CDBG and CPC funding. Habitat can take on
smaller scale projects that larger developers cannot, and they provide long term
support to their families. The last house on Garfield Ave. embodies the "small
house" energy efficient design competition results yielded from the "Just Big
Enough" project which was initiated by the City's Office of Planning &
Sustainability. The city is working on other limited development projects in three
location to deliver additional lots to Habitat.
9 Agency/Group/Organization Northampton Veterans Services
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services-homeless
Services-Health
Other government - Local
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homelessness Needs - Veterans
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
Northampton's Veterans Agent is very engaged locally, regionally and at the State
level advocating for resources for Veterans. He is a regular participant at the Next
Step Collaborative, the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness Veterans
Committee, and is Chair of the Statewide Veterans Coalition. He works closely with
the Veterans Administration's Medical Campus and Soldier On to coordinate
services, as well as the Northampton Housing Authority, who administers several
hundred VASH vouchers for the region.
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10 Agency/Group/Organization Massachusetts Fair Housing Center
Agency/Group/Organization Type Service-Fair Housing
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Analysis of Impediments
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
The City works with the Fair Housing Center to provide community outreach and
education activities as well as to process complaints. The City and the MFHC
participate in the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission's Regional Housing Plan
Implementation Committee and the Inclusive Communities Advisory Group to
facilitate mobility throughout the region. The Housing Center provided critical input
into the 2019 Analysis of Impediments Update relative to the number and nature of
complaints from Northampton.
11 Agency/Group/Organization HAP
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homeless Needs - Families with children
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
Way Finders (formerly HAP), completed the demolition and new construction of
Live 155 on Pleasant Street, which is now a successfully operating mixed income
mixed use property with 70 units. Way Finders will manages the Valley CDC Lumber
Yard Apartment project and the renovation/expansion of 82 Bridge Street SRO. The
two organizations work closely together to accomplish affordable housing
preservation and creation in Northampton.
12 Agency/Group/Organization Northampton Housing Authority
Agency/Group/Organization Type PHA
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What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Public Housing Needs
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
The NHA applied to utilize CDBG funds in this new program year. The Program will
assist with capital improvement/handicap accessibility projects at several
developments. The City and the NHA are also partnering to submit an application
to the Community Preservation Committee to purchase and install play equipment
at the two-family developments. The NHA stepped forward to accommodate
relocation efforts for the 82 Bridge Street SRO as they did for the Northampton
Lodging project, by admitting several tenants to NHA units during the construction
period.
13 Agency/Group/Organization Valley Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Employment
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Economic Development
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
Valley CDC is a regional affordable housing developer. Services also include
homeownership counseling, down payment assistance and small business technical
assistance. The Lumber Yard Apartments development was opened for occupancy
in June of 2019. The Sergeant House SRO Renovation/Expansion is under
construction and will be completed in late 2020. VCDC is also partnering with The
Community Builders to create 65 additional affordable rental units at Village Hill,
the former State Hospital property over the next several years, on two separate
parcels.
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14 Agency/Group/Organization SAFE PASSAGE
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Victims of Domestic Violence
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Domestic Violence Services
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
Safe Passage provides emergency shelter and support services to victims of
domestic violence in Hampshire County. Administrative services have been
consolidated in one building at a new location. Staff participate in the Western
Mass Regional Network to End Homelessness through a newly created committee
on Domestic Violence services as well as monthly Next Step meetings.
15 Agency/Group/Organization ServiceNet, Inc.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-homeless
Services-Health
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homelessness Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
ServiceNet, Inc. is a large multi-faceted mental health agency. They are a CDBG
funded public services grantee for the two emergency shelters for homeless
individuals in Northampton. Their staff attend the Next Step Collaborative, REACH
and the Individual Services Committee of the Regional Network to End
Homelessness.
16 Agency/Group/Organization Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Persons with HIV/AIDS
Services-Health
Health Agency
Major Employer
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What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homelessness Strategy
HOPWA Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
Cooley Dickinson sponsors A Positive Place, a program that provides housing
vouchers and support services to people living with HIV/Aids. Social workers from
the Emergency Department attend Next Step Collaborative meetings in order to be
up to date on current resources that can help avoid them discharging people into
homelessness. Positive Place staff also attend Next Step meetings regularly. The
program receives funding from a HOPWA grant administered by the City of
Springfield.
17 Agency/Group/Organization Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services-homeless
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homelessness Needs - Unaccompanied youth
Homelessness Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
The Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals is a small non-profit
operating out of Northampton. FOH has partnered with ServiceNet to create
Yvonne's House, which houses 6 formerly chronically homeless individuals; with the
Gandara Center to create Maple Ave, which houses 6 formerly homeless individuals
committed to sober recovery and with Dial/Self to create 8 units for at risk
unaccompanied homeless youth. The Chair of the Northampton Housing
Partnership is on the Friends of the Homeless Board, and the President of the FOH
Board attends the Next Step Collaborative meetings regularly.
18 Agency/Group/Organization MANNA SOUP KITCHEN,INC.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-homeless
Soup Kitchen
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What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homelessness Needs - Veterans
Homelessness Strategy
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
The MANNA program is a CDBG funded public service. This program recently
celebrated a 40 year anniversary and provides community meals 5 days a week.
The program addresses food insecurity and promotes housing stability for those
having to choose between paying housing costs and buying food.
19 Agency/Group/Organization Highland Valley Elder Services
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Elderly Persons
Services-Health
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Public Housing Needs
Homelessness Strategy
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the
Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What
are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or
areas for improved coordination?
Highland Valley Elder Services provides case management and outreach to elders
at-risk in the community. They work in conjunction with the SRO Outreach Program
and affordable housing property managers to identify and serve elders in need of
assistance. They also provide home delivered meals to allow elders to live
independently.
Identify any Agency Types not consulted and provide rationale for not consulting
The additional outreach conducted this past year to update the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing helped immensely to not only formulate
that report and create a work plan to implement the resultant recommendations, but also to inform this Annual Action Plan. Extensive outreach
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was done via stakeholder sessions and focus groups. Multiple sessions with targeted subpopulations were conducted by Housing Partnership
members, City staff and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission consultants. ( see list of participants in the Attachments).
Other local/regional/state/federal planning efforts considered when preparing the Plan
Name of Plan Lead
Organization
How do the goals of your Strategic Plan overlap with the goals of each plan?
Continuum of Care Community
Action
Homelessness prevention, creation and sustainability of permanent supported housing units, promoting and funding housing stabilization support services, interface with addiction and mental health resources are overlapping goals. Both gather information and feedback from the committees that meet
through the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness organizational structure. Regional goals are articulated in the annual McKinney application. Most recent submission was for 2019-2020.
Western Mass
Opening Doors
2015
Western Mass
Network to End
Homelessness
Plan created in June 2015 offers a framework for implementation and accountability to make episodes of homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring by retooling the crisis response system to one of housing focused, data driven and outcome oriented. Municipal work is driven by the collective impact
framework presented in the report.
Federal Opening
Doors Plan
2010,2015
U.S. Dept. of
Housing and
Urban
Development
Western Mass aligned its regional work with goals outlined in the Federal Plan, to insure progress and accountability in one overall framework. The 10 objectives articulated in the Federal plan are pursued at the regional and local level.
Housing Needs
Assessment/Strate
gic Plan 2011
Northampton
Housing
Partnership/May
or's Office
The Office of Planning & Sustainability consults with the Housing Partnership to implement goals and objectives identified in this comprehensive local plan. Updates on progress are regular agenda items at every monthly Partnership meeting.
All Roads Lead
Home 2008
Three County CoC
10 Year Plan to
End
Homelessness
Written by Housing Directors in Northampton and Springfield to build community support and set goals. Coordination and funding for prevention, rapid rehousing, creation of permanent supportive housing units outside of Holyoke and Springfield, enhancing employment opportunities and life skills were all
goals that guided the work over the last decade.
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Name of Plan Lead
Organization
How do the goals of your Strategic Plan overlap with the goals of each plan?
Report on
Unaccompanied
Homeless Youth
2015
Executive Office
of the Governor
Special Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth was formed in 2015. State resources for housing and support services have been allocated at the State level since. Usually $2 million annually support the work to implement the recommendations in the report. This
yearÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ
¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¢ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿÂ
¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿
ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿s budget request, still pending, is to increase that amount to 5 million dollars.
Unlocking
Opportunity: An
Assessment of
Barriers
Northampton
Housing
Partnership
This report was finalized in the fall 2019. Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in conjunction with the Mayor's Office, Office of Planning & Sustainability, and Northampton Housing Partnership have overseen the effort to update the City's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing. Up-to-date census data will
provide a relevant context to the City and regional demographics and input from an extensive community engagement process will inform the work of City departments for several years.
A Downtown
Northampton for
Everyone:
Residents, Vi
Office of the
Mayor
Panhandling and the plight of at-risk individuals on our downtown streets and sidewalks has been a source of public concern, debate, and controversy in Northampton for decades. In response to the myriad concerns expressed by city residents, visitors, downtown merchants and property owners, Mayor David
Narkewicz assembled the Work Group on Panhandling to conduct an in-depth study of the issue. The Work Group was comprised of representatives from multiple social services organizations, clergy, law enforcement, the business community, and city government. Mayor Narkewicz's charge to the Work
Group was to research and analyze the complex set of issues associated with panhandling and people at-risk in downtown Northampton, to respectfully reach out to people on downtown's sidewalks to better understand their experience, to survey the opinions of Northampton's residents and visitors about
downtown issues, to study the larger societal issues impacting people on our streets, to study approaches undertaken by other communities faced with complex downtown issues, and to present its research and recommendations to the community for further consideration.
Table 3 – Other local / regional / federal planning efforts
Narrative (optional)
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AP-12 Participation – 91.105, 91.200(c)
1. Summary of citizen participation process/Efforts made to broaden citizen participation
Summarize citizen participation process and how it impacted goal-setting
The goals and objectives identified in this second amendment to the 2019 Action Plan were formulated by input from service providers as the
COVID-19 pandemic unfolded throughout the second half of 2020. The City consulted with service providers, evaluated funding needs,
formulated an initial plan for the upcoming winter season, and evaluated the institutional capacity of the requesters to carry out each project.
These requests were inputted into a draft action plan that became the basis for the public participation meeting on January 4, 2021. The
meeting was held via Zoom meeting software and the public comment period was reduced to 5 days due to a waiver given by HUD issued
through the CARES Act.
The goals and objectives identified in the Action Plan were formulated by input gathered at the Western Massachusetts Network to End
Homelessness Steering Committee and sub-population committee meetings, the CDBG Public Services Review Committee interviews, monthly
Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee meetings, monthly Next Step Collaborative meetings of housing and homeless service providers,
quarterly housing provider meetings and two public hearings advertised through legal ads in the newspaper, postings on the City's website and
direct outreach to impacted populations.
More extensive targeted outreach occurred this year as the City updated its Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing. The effort, entitled
Unlocking Opportunity: An Assessment of Barriers to Housing Choice in Northampton was undertaken in conjunction with the Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission. Funded by the City Council, PVPC was selected by the Northampton Housing Partnership after a solicitation process that
yielded 3 responses. Two days of stakeholder sessions were held in January of 2019. On January 23rd, one-hour sessions began at 9 a.m. and
ended at 5 p.m. and PVPC, City staff and Housing Partnership members heard from social service providers, housing search workers, property
managers, local and area housing authorities, and disability community advocates. On January 30th, we heard from local government officials
from other Pioneer Valley communities, affordable housing developers, realtors and local government officials from Northampton which
included the Mayor, the Planning Director, the Senior Center Director, the Social Worker for the public schools and the Human Rights
Commission. Each session was attended by 4-8 participants. Additionally, focus groups were held with participants from the Northampton
Recovery Center, inmates from the Hampshire House of Corrections pre-release program, staff at Safe Passage's Emergency Shelter for people
experiencing domestic violence and currently homeless guests at the Hampshire County Resource Center. A survey was created and
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disseminated throughout the region to gather information about people's experiences with housing discrimination. Paper copies were made
available at a variety of social service agencies such as the Center for New Americans and the Pioneer Valley Workers Center and public locations
such as Forbes Library. 200 surveys were returned. A public session on the AI was held May 22, 2019 to solicit feedback on draft findings and
gather additional comments. 65 people attended this event, which provided food, childcare and reimbursement for public transportation costs.
This report will inform the work of the Mayor's Office, the Office of Planning & Sustainability, the Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee
and the Human Rights Commission for years to come
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Citizen Participation Outreach
Sort Ord
er
Mode of Outr
each
Target of Outr
each
Summary of
response/attend
ance
Summary of
comments rece
ived
Summary of com
ments not
accepted
and reasons
URL (If applicable)
1 Public Hearing
Minorities
Non-English
Speaking -
Specify other
language:
Spanish
Persons with
disabilities
Non-
targeted/broad
community
Residents of
Public and
Assisted
Housing
Staff of the
agencies tend to
come more than
actual clients.
The public
hearings were
held February
13th and March
27th. 16
participants
attended.
See minutes
attached.
All comments
were accepted.
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Sort Ord
er
Mode of Outr
each
Target of Outr
each
Summary of
response/attend
ance
Summary of
comments rece
ived
Summary of com
ments not
accepted
and reasons
URL (If applicable)
2 Survey
Monkey
Minorities
Non-English
Speaking -
Specify other
language:
Spanish
Persons with
disabilities
Non-
targeted/broad
community
Residents of
Public and
Assisted
Housing
The Analysis of
Impediments
survey
instrument was
distributed
through a
Pioneer Valley
Planning
Commission
social media
campaign and
disseminated on
the Mayor's
Facebook Page. It
was publicized in
the newspaper
and thru other
listservs such as
Yes In My Back
Yard Pioneer
Valley. 200+
surveys were
received thru
Survey Monkey
and 30 paper
surveys were
submitted.
All Survey
responses and
open-ended
question
responses were
included in the
analysis.
All comments
were accepted.
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Sort Ord
er
Mode of Outr
each
Target of Outr
each
Summary of
response/attend
ance
Summary of
comments rece
ived
Summary of com
ments not
accepted
and reasons
URL (If applicable)
3 Public Meeting
Minorities
Non-
targeted/broad
community
Residents of
Public and
Assisted
Housing
The
Northampton
Housing
Partnership met
monthly and
created a New
Member Guide
with a glossary of
affordable
housing terms,
this past year.
The guide will
help new
members better
understand their
role.
Membership
recruitment was
identified as a
goal this year to
diversify the
Partnership
composition.
There are
currently 13
members out of
a possible 15.
Monthly
minutes are
taken and
posted on the
City's website.
All comments are
accepted.
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Sort Ord
er
Mode of Outr
each
Target of Outr
each
Summary of
response/attend
ance
Summary of
comments rece
ived
Summary of com
ments not
accepted
and reasons
URL (If applicable)
4 Invited
Participants
Housing and
Homeless
Service
Providers
The Next Step
Collaborative
meets monthly
and has since
1994 on the
second Thursday
of every month.
All local housing
and homeless
service providers
and consumers
are welcome.
Typical
attendance is 8-
15.
Discussions
focus on
identifying new
resources, gaps
in resources,
assessing
shelter capacity
and issues,
monitoring and
conducting
outreach to
unsheltered
living outside in
encampments,
and assessing
resident needs
living in the
City's
affordable
housing and
Single Room
Occupancy
units.
All comments are
accepted.
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Sort Ord
er
Mode of Outr
each
Target of Outr
each
Summary of
response/attend
ance
Summary of
comments rece
ived
Summary of com
ments not
accepted
and reasons
URL (If applicable)
5
AI stakeholder
and focus
group sessions
Minorities
Non-English
Speaking -
Specify other
language:
Spanish
Persons with
disabilities
Residents of
Public and
Assisted
Housing
Sessions were
attended by the
Department of
Mental Health,
the Center for
New Americans,
Catholic
Charities,
Community Legal
Aid, Housing
Authorities,
disabled citizens,
Pioneer Valley
Workers Center
to learn about
the needs of
minorities, non-
English speakers,
persons with
mental and
physical
disabilities,
public housing
residents and
people living
with HIV/AIDS.
27 people
participated in
those targeted
sessions.
All comments
incorporated
into the report.
Pages and
pages of
newsprint were
generated from
all the sessions.
Discussions
were lively, full
and
informative.
The public
input received
informed the
Annual Action
Plan as well as
the Analysis of
Impediments
Update.
All comments
were accepted.
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Sort Ord
er
Mode of Outr
each
Target of Outr
each
Summary of
response/attend
ance
Summary of
comments rece
ived
Summary of com
ments not
accepted
and reasons
URL (If applicable)
6 Public Hearing
Minorities
Persons with
disabilities
Non-
targeted/broad
community
Residents of
Public and
Assisted
Housing
The public
hearing for the
amendment #2
for the Annual
Action Plan was
held on January
4th, 2021 via
Zoom meeting
software where
there were XXX
participants who
attended. The
meeting was
announced in the
newspaper and
was put on the
City's website.
The meeting was
recorded and
citizen have the
opportunity to
watch the
recording and
send in
comments during
the comment
period. The
public comment
period was
reduced to five
days, per HUD
waiver issued
See minutes
attached
All comments
were accepted.
http://www.northamptonma.gov/20
83/CDBG-Program-Planning
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Table 4 – Citizen Participation Outreach
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Expected Resources
AP-15 Expected Resources – 91.220(c)(1,2)
Introduction
The City of Northampton will use new CDBG Cares Act Round III funds in conjunction with carry over funds to implement projects as prioritized
in the amended Annual Action Plan from 2019.
Anticipated Resources
Program Source
of
Funds
Uses of Funds Expected Amount Available Year 1 Expected
Amount
Available
Remainder
of ConPlan
$
Narrative Description
Annual
Allocation:
$
Program
Income:
$
Prior Year
Resources:
$
Total:
$
CDBG public -
federal
Acquisition
Admin and
Planning
Economic
Development
Housing
Public
Improvements
Public Services 670,267 10,000 461,583 1,141,850 670,267
Funds will be used for housing
programs/projects; public facilities and
access; public services; and the
administration of the grant. Expected
amount based the award, estimated
program income and carryover
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Program Source
of
Funds
Uses of Funds Expected Amount Available Year 1 Expected
Amount
Available
Remainder
of ConPlan
$
Narrative Description
Annual
Allocation:
$
Program
Income:
$
Prior Year
Resources:
$
Total:
$
Continuum
of Care
public -
federal
Housing
334,210 0 0 334,210 334,210
This is a pro-rated amount of the total
amount awarded to the Three County
Rural Continuum of Care, as an estimate
of the impact on Northampton
programming. Overall award for
Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire
Counties is $1,602,351
Other public -
federal
Acquisition
Admin and
Planning
Economic
Development
Public
Improvements
Public Services 646,052 0 0 646,052 646,052
CARES Act funding that will support
Emergency Business Grants, Resiliency
Hub, Emergency Sheltering, Public
Services, and Administration
Other public -
federal
Acquisition
Housing
Public
Improvements 0 0 0 0 0
Other public -
federal
Housing
1,046,994 0 0 1,046,994 1,046,994
This resource reflects the award to A
Positive Place, for housing support
subsidies and case management. HOPWA
grant is administered by the City of
Springfield for the region.
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Program Source
of
Funds
Uses of Funds Expected Amount Available Year 1 Expected
Amount
Available
Remainder
of ConPlan
$
Narrative Description
Annual
Allocation:
$
Program
Income:
$
Prior Year
Resources:
$
Total:
$
Other public -
local
Acquisition
1,450,000 0 0 1,450,000 1,450,000
The City of Northampton will provide
$1,450,000 for the acquisition or
rehabilitation of a community resiliency
hub that will act as a day center for those
who are experiencing acute stress, such
as extreme weather, homelessness, or
COVID-19. This money will leverage the
$416,824 in CDBG funding.
Table 5 - Expected Resources – Priority Table
Explain how federal funds will leverage those additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how
matching requirements will be satisfied
All CDBG funded activities and projects require other funding sources to achieve full implementation. The Safe Routes to School project will
leverage another $920,000 in state funded sidewalk improvements in a low-mod income area neighborhood. The community resiliency hub may
have leverage for the State’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant in future rounds (the City was not awarded for the 2020 cycle). Public
facilities projects often utilize City Capital Improvement Program funds and privately fundraised dollars. Public infrastructure projects typically
utilize State Chapter 90 funding and other State grant sources, such as the MAssWorks Program. Public Service grants use a variety of other
funding sources such as United Way and private fundraising from foundations and individuals. CDBG funds are used for affordable housing
applications to State and Federal funding sources that require evidence of a local cash match, although there is not an actual dollar amount
required. The affordable housing projects at Village Hill will have several additional funding sources, as the CDBG allotment addresses only a very
small percentage of the overall project cost. Local affordable housing projects also apply to the Community Preservation Committee for CPA
funding (local home rule approval to tax with a State match). Smith College also created an Affordable Housing Fund to assist with the
development of new affordable units to compensate for units they remove from the inventory when they expand their campus.
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The Commonwealth's Department of Housing and Community Development is the primary funding source for affordable housing development
through the One-Stop Application process. An indication of the leveraging scale is exhibited by the $150-200,000 of CDBG funds allocated to the
Lumber Yard Apartment development and the Live 155 project which were both $20million projects. The Public Service grant allocations from
the City's CDBG program are so small that grantees report that their (the CDBG awards) greatest value is to show City support when they apply
to other funding sources for the larger sums.
Regarding the McKinney Homeless Assistance Program funds that are channeled through the Continuum of Care, ServiceNet withdrew from the
administration of 45 units of permanent supported housing due in part to the stringent cash match requirements mandated by HUD. The agency
could not operate the program without running a deficit, so $600,000 was reallocated in this year’s application. The Center for Human
Development stepped forward with the hopes that as a larger more diverse agency, they could more easily accommodate HUD's match
requirements. The preference from the local level would be that the Federal government simply provide enough funding to adequately
administer the programs, without all the added work required to identify, track and monitor cash and in-kind matches.
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If appropriate, describe publically owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that
may be used to address the needs identified in the plan
The City recently had a parcel of land granted to it by the State, that will be used towards the affordable
housing objectives. The parcel is the 278 Burts Pit Road property, and the City plans to demolish the
house on it, prepare the land for disposition, and then sell to an affordable housing developer through
an RFP process. The other property is on Laurel Street, that the City will similarly prepare and sell to an
affordable housing developer.
The City is seeking to partner with a public service agency (such as Service Net or Community Action) to
house and manage the storage lockers for people who are experiencing homelessness, but the lockers
may be placed on City property if there is not space available with a public service agency. Additionally,
the City is seeking to do appraisals for sidewalk improvements as part of the City’s Safe Routes to School
project. This may require takings by the City, which will add to the size of the City’s sidewalk inventory.
The City's Office of Planning & Sustainability is ever vigilant in the pursuit of land acquisition for open
space acquisition and limited development projects. This past year, the Planning Director sponsored
another design competition for small lot development in conjunction with natural resource
conservation, asking respondents to design small energy efficiency homes. A parcel on Burts Pit Road
has been purchased by the City, and the design competition was specific to that parcel.
$135,000 of CDBG funding in this year's Action Plan will finance soft costs and infrastructure work on a
defunct sub-division that the City purchased last year. The Glendale Road parcel will now be preserved
as open space with a wildlife corridor, but the Director also carved off 4 home sites, which were deeded
to Habitat for Humanity through an RFP process.
The City is still pursuing ownership of two lots deeded to the Housing Authority through the disposition
of the former State hospital property for approximately 20 affordable units. It has now been 2 years that
the State has taken to address the revised legislation giving ownership to the City, getting the parcels
appraised and transferring the deeds. When the City does finally become the owner, an RFP will be
issued for development of affordable housing.
The City regularly reviews tax title takings and foreclosures, which are rare, for possible development
opportunities. The City received City Council approval to acquire a new parcel, currently in tax title on
Woodland Drive for mixed income housing, including affordable housing.
Discussion
Because the State is not funding affordable homeownership development, we are grateful to have
Habitat for Humanity creating units in Northampton. The City and its affordable housing development
partners all continue to think creatively about how to produce attractive, energy efficient new units,
despite the lack of available land and high development costs. The Northampton housing market
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continues to be strong, with very little inventory available at the less expensive end. The City continues
to examine tax abatement programs for developers, and possible zoning revisions to increase
opportunities for people to live more affordably.
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Annual Goals and Objectives
AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives
Goals Summary Information
Sort
Order
Goal Name Start
Year
End
Year
Category Geographic
Area
Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
1 Homelessness
Prevention
2015 2019 Homeless
Non-Homeless Special
Needs
Homelessness
Prevention
CDBG:
$19,000
Continuum
of Care:
$423,076
CDBG-CV:
$94,956
CPA:
$80,465
ESG:
$915,659
HOPWA:
$131,335
Homelessness
Prevention: 450 Persons
Assisted
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Sort
Order
Goal Name Start
Year
End
Year
Category Geographic
Area
Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
2 Support for Emergency
Shelter System
2015 2019 Homeless Support for
Emergency Shelter
CDBG:
$23,715
Continuum
of Care: $0
CDBG-CV:
$416,824
CPA: $0
City
Funding:
$1,450,000
ESG:
$62,100
HOPWA: $0
Public Facility or
Infrastructure Activities
other than
Low/Moderate Income
Housing Benefit: 200
Persons Assisted
3 Rental Housing for
Families
2015 2019 Affordable Housing Rental Housing for
Families
CDBG:
$150,000
Continuum
of Care:
$155,133
CPA: $0
ESG: $0
HOPWA: $0
Rental units constructed:
0 Household Housing
Unit
4 Rental Housing for
Individuals
2015 2019 Affordable Housing Rental Housing for
Individuals
CDBG: $0
Continuum
of Care: $0
CPA: $0
ESG: $0
HOPWA: $0
Rental units constructed:
20 Household Housing
Unit
Rental units
rehabilitated: 15
Household Housing Unit
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Sort
Order
Goal Name Start
Year
End
Year
Category Geographic
Area
Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
5 Preservation of Existing
Affordable Rental Stock
2015 2019 Affordable Housing Preservation of
Existing Affordable
Rental Stock
CDBG: $0
Continuum
of Care: $0
CPA: $0
ESG: $0
HOPWA: $0
Rental units constructed:
0 Household Housing
Unit
Rental units
rehabilitated: 0
Household Housing Unit
6 Housing Rehabilitation 2015 2019 Affordable Housing Housing
Rehabilitation
Resources
CDBG:
$96,674
Continuum
of Care: $0
CPA: $0
ESG: $0
HOPWA: $0
Homeowner Housing
Rehabilitated: 2
Household Housing Unit
7 Affordable
Homeownership for
Families
2015 2019 Affordable Housing Affordable
Homeownership
for Families
CDBG:
$33,000
Continuum
of Care: $0
CPA: $0
ESG: $0
HOPWA: $0
Homeowner Housing
Added: 5 Household
Housing Unit
Direct Financial
Assistance to
Homebuyers: 3
Households Assisted
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Sort
Order
Goal Name Start
Year
End
Year
Category Geographic
Area
Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
8 Housing for At-Risk and
Special Needs
Populations
2015 2019 Affordable Housing Housing for At -
Risk & Special
Needs Populations
CDBG:
$150,000
Continuum
of Care:
$1,309,510
CPA: $0
ESG: $0
HOPWA:
$131,335
HIV/AIDS Housing
Operations: 27
Household Housing Unit
9 Economic
Development/Income
Maximization
2015 2019 Economic
Development/Income
Maximization
Economic
Development
CDBG:
$174,000
Continuum
of Care: $0
CDBG-CV:
$75,000
CPA: $0
ESG: $0
HOPWA: $0
Jobs created/retained: 5
Jobs
Businesses assisted: 47
Businesses Assisted
10 Housing Support
Services
2015 2019 Affordable Housing Housing Support
Services
CDBG:
$10,000
CPA:
$80,465
Homelessness
Prevention: 225 Persons
Assisted
11 Addressing Basic Needs 2015 2019 Non-Housing
Community
Development
Addressing Basic
Needs
CDBG:
$21,000
CDBG-CV:
$36,750
Public service activities
other than
Low/Moderate Income
Housing Benefit: 5120
Persons Assisted
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Sort
Order
Goal Name Start
Year
End
Year
Category Geographic
Area
Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
12 Elimination of Slums
and Blight
2015 2016 Elimination of Slums
and Blight
No
geographic
Priorities
Designated
Elimination of
Slums and Blight
CDBG: $0
Continuum
of Care: $0
CPA: $0
ESG: $0
HOPWA: $0
Buildings Demolished: 0
Buildings
13 Improvement of Public
Facilities
2015 2016 Non-Housing
Community
Development
Public Facilities CDBG:
$40,000
Continuum
of Care: $0
CPA: $0
ESG: $0
HOPWA: $0
14 Planning and
Administration
2015 2019 Program
Administration
No
geographic
Priorities
Designated
CDBG:
$134,053
CDBG-CV:
$44,272
Table 6 – Goals Summary
Goal Descriptions
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1 Goal Name Homelessness Prevention
Goal
Description
**CLA Tenancy Preservation and CDH SRO Outreach projects were included in the Homelessness Prevention goal, funded
for $19,000.
The City will provide $94,956 in CV funding to a Rental and Utility Assistance program administered through Community
Action Pioneer Valley, where residents are qualified through their Community Resource and Advocacy program.
2 Goal Name Support for Emergency Shelter System
Goal
Description
This will pay for the acquisition of a daytime resiliency hub for homeless, near homeless, elderly, people with disabilities,
and low- and moderate people who are experiencing acute and chronic stresses. These can include weather-related events,
pandemics, or other stresses. This daytime shelter will help respond to, prevent, and prepare for the Coronavirus. The hub
will be a place for people to access services.
This is not for operating costs.
3 Goal Name Rental Housing for Families
Goal
Description
CDBG funds of $150,000 will be expended during this program year for The Community Builders to use towards the
acquisition of two parcels at Village Hill. The parcels are being purchased from MassDevelopment for use as affordable
housing. 65 new rental units for families and individuals will be created for a range of incomes (12 in one mixed-use building
on one parcel and 53 in a residential building on a different parcel), from 30% of area median income up to 120% of area
median income. Still, construction will not be completed during this program year.
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4 Goal Name Rental Housing for Individuals
Goal
Description
In the prior program year, Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals and their partner organization Dial/Self
received $75,000 in CPA funds and $65,000 of CDBG funds to produce 8 units of housing for unaccompanied homeless
youth. 4 units in a rehabilitated existing building came online this past fall and work on 4 additional units in a newly
constructed building will come online this program year to complete the project.
Last year's CDBG allocation of $150,000 for the Sergeant House, at 82 Bridge Street that involved the renovation and
expansion of an existing 15-unit SRO building into 31 units (16 new) of enhanced SRO housing, will see completion this
program year. So, although the CDBG funds have been drawn in the prior program year, the 31 units are now being
reported. The project received $350,000 of CPA funding in two rounds.
5 Goal Name Preservation of Existing Affordable Rental Stock
Goal
Description
As reflected in the prior goal statement, 15 units of affordable rental housing will be created this program year at the
Sergeant House located at 82 Bridge Street. Because HUD requires plan components to be reported in only one category,
the data is not reflected in this section, although the project does achieve the goal of preservation of existing affordable
rental stock. It also could have been counted in the goal addressing Housing for At-Risk and Special Needs Populations, but
the 15 new units was included in Goal #4, Rental Housing for Individuals.
6 Goal Name Housing Rehabilitation
Goal
Description
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission will continue to administer the City's Housing Rehabilitation Program this year,
with the goal to qualify and complete 2 single-family homes in need of renovation.
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7 Goal Name Affordable Homeownership for Families
Goal
Description
In the prior program year, $135,000 in CDBG funds were allocated to Habitat for Humanity to construct 4 homes on
Glendale Road. Those homes will be completed and occupied in this program years, although funds will have been drawn.
The final home at the Garfield/Verona Habitat development will also be completed and occupied this year.
Valley CDC will administer 3 down payment/closing costs grants as direct financial assistance to facilitate people being able
to purchase homes in Northampton.
**Direct homeownership assistance to first-time LMI homebuyers will receive $30,000 of CDBG-DV money.
8 Goal Name Housing for At-Risk and Special Needs Populations
Goal
Description
The Continuum of Care McKinney amount reflects awards made to agencies that administer housing subsidies and support
services in multiple communities. It is difficult to assign a dollar amount to resources Northampton receives, as subsidies are
utilized in apartments that can shift from county and community, depending on availability at any given time.
Dial/Self will administer a combined Transitional/Permanent/Rapid Re-housing Program model for at risk youth this year
with $98,256 of McKinney funds; ServiceNet will continue to administer the Shelter Plus Care Program in Franklin and
Hampshire counties in conjunction with the Department of Mental Health for $211,239 (21 units) and the Center for Human
Development will utilize an award of $690,520 for a permanent supported housing program for chronically homeless in
Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties (45 units).
A Positive Place will administer 27 subsidies to families experiencing HIV/Aids, with a McKinney award of $127,886, HOPWA
and Ryan White funds. The 8 units Dial/Self will administer at the Northampton TeenHousing site will serve unaccompanied
homeless youth and the Sergeant House will have units set aside for homeless individuals (as reflected in the Rental Housing
for Individuals section).
The Village Hill developments that will create 65 new units will include handicap accessible units, as well as units to
accommodate the visually and hearing impaired. They will be reported on when those units are online, even though
$150,000 of CDBG funds will be utilized this program year for acquisition costs.
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9 Goal Name Economic Development/Income Maximization
Goal
Description
Economic empowerment goals are furthered by Community Action's Youth Employment Readiness Initiative ($8,000), the
Center for New American's Facilitating Immigrant Economic Independence Program ($11,000), and Valley Community
Development's Small Business Assistance Program ($45,000).
The City will allocate $55,000 for micro-enterprises and small business assistance for businesses that employ LMI persons to
keep from closing, to retain LMI jobs, purchase protective equipment, and support the creation or expansion of jobs to
manufacture supplies responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Emergency small business grants up to $10,000 for each
business who are experiencing urgent need.
10 Goal Name Housing Support Services
Goal
Description
The Center for Human Development (CHD)administers two housing support programs in Northampton. The Single Room
Occupancy Outreach Program addresses the needs of residents of SRO housing by providing outreach, case management,
and basic needs services for the City's most vulnerable housed residents. For over 20 years, this program has prevented
homelessness through housing stabilization, food security, improved health, and linkages to vital services. The numbers
served are high due to those accessing the food pantry.
CHD also administers the Community Housing Support Services Program. This initiative created by the Northampton
Housing Partnership is in its fourth year of operation. Funded by the Community Preservation Act local funding, this
program provides case management services to individuals and families at risk of eviction due to non-payment issues.
Numbers served to be 25.
Other housing programs include case management services to support housing stabilization reported in other goal
categories, such as the McKinney Shelter Plus Care Program.
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11 Goal Name Addressing Basic Needs
Goal
Description
Public social services that address basic needs include the MANNA Soup Kitchen ($4,000), the Northampton Survival Center
($12,000), and Community Action's Community Resource Advocacy Network ($5,000).
The CDBG support for the Hampshire County Interfaith Shelter and the Grove Street Inn, Homeless Shelter for Individuals, is
reflected in Goal #2, Support for the Emergency Shelter System.
**For CDBG-CV money, $1,750 will be allocated for programs where LMI persons are given access to early childhood
learning, workforce development, utility assistance, family programs, and tax assistance. MANNA will also be given an
additional $5000 in CV funding for their soup kitchen. The emergency food pantry will be given $20,000 for its effort to
ensure LMI persons have access to nutritious food and other services. Third-party vendors or City employees will clean up
homeless site encampments in the City. This funding will also pay for storage lockers for the homeless people or those living
in the shelters. These will help prepare for, prevent, and respond to the Coronavirus ($10,000).
12 Goal Name Elimination of Slums and Blight
Goal
Description
No activity is planned this year for this category.
13 Goal Name Improvement of Public Facilities
Goal
Description
The Northampton Housing Authority will be utilizing $40,000 in CDBG funding to accomplish handicap accessibility work at
four of their public housing sites.
14 Goal Name Planning and Administration
Goal
Description
Planning & Adminstrative costs for the adminstation of the CDBG grant to prepare for, respond to, and prevent
coronavirus.
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Projects
AP-35 Projects – 91.220(d)
Introduction
For the CARES Act Round III program year, the City of Northampton will receive $266,402 in CDBG funds
directly related to the Covid-19 pandemic from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development. Unexpended funds from prior program years will be reallocated and applied to projects
moving forward. This amendment to the 2019 Action Plan details how CDBG funds will be spent on new
projects or added to old ones to address the most urgent needs caused by the pandemic and prevent
further spread of the virus. For the program year created from the CARES Act Round I, the City of
Northampton received $401,400 in CDBG funds directly related to the Covid-19 pandemic from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development. Unexpended funds from prior program years were
reallocated and applied to future projects.
For the original program year July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020, the City of Northampton received $670,267 in
Community Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Unexpended funds from prior program years were reallocated and applied to projects moving forward.
That Action Plan detailed how CDBG funds will be spent on new projects to address priorities identified
in the City's five-year Consolidated Plan as reviewed and updated.
Projects
# Project Name
1 Homeowner Down Payment Assistance
2 Housing Rehabilitation Program
3 Northampton Housing Authority
4 Public Infrastructure - Sidewalk Wheelchair Ramps
5 CV-Micro-Business Assistance Program
6 Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program
7 SRO Outreach
8 Employment Youth Readiness Initiative
9 Facilitating Immigrant Economic Independence
10 Community Resources & Advocacy
11 CLA Tenancy Preservation
12 CV-Passport to Success
13 MANNA Soup Kitchen
14 Grove Street Inn
15 Interfaith Winter Shelter
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# Project Name
16 Emergency Food Pantry
17 Administration and Planning
18 CV-Resiliency Hub Public Facilities
19 CV-Food Insecurity Project
20 CV-Emergency Food Pantry
21 CV-Rental and Utility Assistance Program
22 CV-Storage Lockers
23 CV-Emergency Homeless Services
24 CV-Administration and Planning
25 CV-Grants for Micro-enterprises
Table 7 - Project Information
Describe the reasons for allocation priorities and any obstacles to addressing underserved
needs
Many overnight shelters are closing due to staff becoming sick from Covid-19, are overcrowding, or are
at their normal shut-down cycle due to the warmer weather. Additionally, all non-essential businesses,
which many homeless use to get out of the weather, use bathrooms, internet, and get food are also
closed. Many people are also losing their jobs due to business closures and cannot pay their rent.
Therefore, supporting the emergency shelter system and homelessness prevention programs is a high
priority.
Northampton has a need for more deeply subsidized permanent supported housing units, particularly of
the Safe Havens, Housing First models. With such a lack of those unit types, efforts geared towards
housing stabilization of residents in their existing units is critical. Supporting the emergency shelter
system and homelessness prevention programs is therefore a high priority.
Creating Housing First units is very complicated. The traditional affordable housing developers choose
not to access McKinney funding, as the Federal funding cycles are difficult to coordinate with State
cycles, and all levels of funding are required to implement successful projects. If State sources can be
used for the actual development costs, and McKinney funding can assist with providing subsidies for the
units, that works best, but the efforts required to coordinate both is a huge obstacle. Site acquisition
and control is next to impossible to obtain when funding applications are needed to purchase parcels.
The timing simply does not work, unless you have a seller willing to wait several years.
Northampton has seen over 125 units of affordable housing created in the last 3 years, with more in the
pipeline, but the demand far exceeds the supply. Over 450 households applied for the 55 units coming
online at the Lumber Yard apartments. These units, although sorely needed, are not true Housing First
units that people challenged by poor rental histories, CORI records or other issues can access. The City
held a large meeting to brainstorm how to create these units in Northampton and now a bi-monthly
meeting is occurring with the Department of Mental Health to see if progress can be made in the
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coming year.
This year's CDBG program, however, addresses a variety of community development components that
will cumulatively have a positive impact on the quality of life for many City residents with special needs,
disabilities and limited incomes.
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AP-38 Project Summary
Project Summary Information
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1 Project Name Homeowner Down Payment Assistance
Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated
Goals Supported
Needs Addressed Affordable Homeownership for Families
Funding CDBG: $33,000
Description The Valley CDC will assist income eligible households looking to purchase
their first home in Northampton and provide referrals to HOME funded
opportunities and State subsidized mortgage products. CDBG funds will
be use to provide $4,000 down payment assistance grants to three first
time home buyers.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Three first time home buyer grants in the amount of $4,000 each to
income eligible households and referrals to HOME funded
homeownership assistance, including new or re-sale HOME funded
opportunities. The program will address the increasing challenges that
many households with limited incomes face including student loan debt
and high rental costs and the strong local housing market that negatively
affect their ability to obtain homeownership.
2 Project Name Housing Rehabilitation Program
Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated
Goals Supported Housing Rehabilitation
Needs Addressed Housing Rehabilitation Resources
Funding CDBG: $96,674
Description The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) will continue to
administer this program and provide assistance for income eligible
owner-occupied single family home owners and focus on remediation of
code violations and lead paint abatement. Prior year funds will be used
along with new year funding. Five units are proposed for completion.
Target Date 6/30/2021
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Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Repairs to heating, plumbing, electrical, roof and structural systems to
remediate code violations. Lead paint abatement will be given high
priority if funds allow. Up to $45,000 will be available per unit in the form
of 15-year deferred payment loans.
3 Project Name Northampton Housing Authority
Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated
Goals Supported Housing for At-Risk and Special Needs Populations
Needs Addressed Housing for At - Risk & Special Needs Populations
Funding CDBG: $40,000
Description The Northampton Housing Authority will install handicap accessible
ramps at three buildings located at Cahill Apartments on Fruit Street.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Installation of ADA compliant handicap ramps at the entrances of the 3
buildings and automatic door openers.
4 Project Name Public Infrastructure - Sidewalk Wheelchair Ramps
Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated
Goals Supported Improvement of Public Facilities
Needs Addressed Public Infrastructure
Funding CDBG: $144,986
Description Design and installation of sidewalk and wheelchair ramps to bring them
into conformance with current Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and
American Access Board (AAB) standards.
Target Date 6/30/2021
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Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Replace substandard sidewalk/ road intersections with wheelchair ramps
that comply with current ADA standards (concrete ramps with
appropriate slopes, cross slopes, and tactile warning strips).
5 Project Name CV-Micro-Business Assistance Program
Target Area
Goals Supported Economic Development/Income Maximization
Needs Addressed Economic Development
Funding CDBG: $150,000
CDBG-CV: $20,000
Description The Valley CDC will provide technical assistance to income eligible
residents interested in starting a new business or existing micro-business
owners that want to improve revenue profitability. Loans, grants, or
micro-enterprises assistance for businesses that employ LMI persons to
keep from closing, to retain LMI jobs, purchase protective equipment,
and support the creation or expansion of jobs to manufacture supplies
responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Special Economic Development
activities such as emergency small business grants.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Technical assistance includes help in the preparation of business plans
and financial projections; marketing; and access to financing through
micro-loan programs and/or conventional financing. Workshops to build
technical skills are also provided. Administration to Emergency Grant
program.
6 Project Name Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program
Target Area
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Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $8,000
Description The Center for Human Development (CHD) Big Brothers Big Sisters
Program will create and support mentoring relationships for children
with multiple risk factors in families with low and moderate incomes in
Northampton. Children are referred by school personnel and other
agencies.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Mentoring relationships using a community or site-based model.
Volunteer mentors and mentees meet for at least one year getting
together for 3-5 hours weekly.
The site-based model is Kids to Campus where mentees are matched
with Smith College students. The program provides transportation for
youth to weekly get togethers on the Smith College Campus.
7 Project Name SRO Outreach
Target Area
Goals Supported Homelessness Prevention
Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Funding CDBG: $10,000
Description The Center for Human Development (CHD) will provide outreach, case
management and support for residents living in single occupancy units to
achieve housing stabilization, food security, and linkages to community
services.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
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Planned Activities The Outreach Coordinator will provide comprehensive outreach and
services to address housing stabilization; including crisis intervention,
access to medical and mental health care, transportation to and from
appointments, assistance establishing community linkages to other
resources and will support the tenants being relocated from the 82
Bridge St. SRO during the renovation project. A food pantry will be open
three days per week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
8 Project Name Employment Youth Readiness Initiative
Target Area
Goals Supported Economic Development/Income Maximization
Needs Addressed Economic Development
Funding CDBG: $18,000
Description Community Action will provide individual career development assistance,
employment readiness training and educational workshops focused on
employment in high-growth sectors for at-risk Northampton youth ages
12-24. The program will assist them to make the transition to adulthood
and allow them to be financially self reliant, stay in school and/or
continue to higher education.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Individual assessments for youth to set and achieve their training and
employment goals; a 15-20-hour job readiness training to gain important
skills for getting jobs and being successful in the workplace; career
pathways education with exploration events focusing on local high-
growth employment sectors. Trainings in Green Jobs & Construction,
Allied Health, Information Technology, Education and Human Services;
Topical Workforce Development trainings in the workplace such as
conflict resolution, worker's rights, discrimination and harassment; paid
internships in their field of interest; and intra-program collaboration that
offers referrals and support.
9 Project Name Facilitating Immigrant Economic Independence
Target Area
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Goals Supported Economic Development/Income Maximization
Needs Addressed Economic Development
Funding CDBG: $11,000
Description The Center for New Americans will offer free classes in English for
speakers of other languages. Advisers will meet with students to draft an
education/career plan, provide career coaching and employment search
assistance. The job training leads to students and alumni filling positions
in health care, hospitality and manufacturing fields for which local
employers recruit them consistently. Citizenship assistance and
immigration legal services are also provided.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities ESOL classes, computer instruction, career pathways classes, career
advising, legal services and referrals to area support services.
10 Project Name Community Resources & Advocacy
Target Area
Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $5,000
Description Community Action will provide information and referral; access to
income support, including direct help with SNAP and health insurance
benefits and re-determinations; payment of past due bills or moving
costs to prevent homelessness; and advocacy with other public benefit
systems.
Target Date
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
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Planned Activities Information and referrals; assistance/advocacy accessing public benefits;
support with identifying the household’s best strategies for building
economic security. Program is accessible by phone Monday-Friday, 9am-
4pm; appointments with staff are available in the office 3 days a week.
11 Project Name CLA Tenancy Preservation
Target Area
Goals Supported Homelessness Prevention
Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Funding CDBG: $9,000
Description Community Legal Aid (CLA) will provide free legal services to
Northampton tenants with low and moderate incomes at risk of eviction
and participants in rental assistance programs, such as Section 8, who are
at risk of being terminated from the subsidy program.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Free legal advocacy for preventing eviction and homelessness and
securing or maintaining eligibility for subsidized housing.
12 Project Name CV-Passport to Success
Target Area
Goals Supported Economic Development/Income Maximization
Needs Addressed Economic Development
Funding CDBG: $10,000
CDBG-CV: $1,750
Description The Literacy Project, Inc will provide adult basic education (ABE) services
to adults and out of school youth ages 16 and over to develop college
and career readiness as pathways to economic opportunity and security.
Target Date 6/30/2021
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Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
30 low-and moderate-income people
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities Services will include four levels of ABE classes; individualized education
and career advising geared towards meeting students specific challenges;
and activities to increase student readiness for employment and post-
secondary education. Funds will support education and career advising 4
hours per week for 39 weeks.
13 Project Name MANNA Soup Kitchen
Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated
Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $4,000
Description The MANNA Soup Kitchen, Inc will provide five free meals a week
(Monday-Thursday and Saturdays) with a special meal on Thanksgiving
and Christmas Day.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
550
Location Description City wide
Planned Activities Free meals every Monday-Thursday and Saturdays plus a special meal on
Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
14 Project Name Grove Street Inn
Target Area
Goals Supported Support for Emergency Shelter System
Needs Addressed Support for Emergency Shelter
Funding CDBG: $11,715
Description ServiceNet, Inc owns and operates a 21-bed emergency shelter serving
homeless individuals. Participants may stay up to 90 days and staff
provide onsite services supporting residents efforts to rebuild their lives.
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Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Overnight shelter and case management for up to 90 days.
15 Project Name Interfaith Winter Shelter
Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated
Goals Supported Support for Emergency Shelter System
Needs Addressed Support for Emergency Shelter
Funding CDBG: $12,000
Description ServiceNet, Inc in collaboration with the Friends of Hampshire County
Homeless Individuals and the City of Northampton will provide a 20-bed
overnight winter emergency shelter for homeless individuals from
November 1-April 30 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 am.
Target Date
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities The Interfaith Winter Shelter is open from November 1st- April 30th,
6:00pm-7:00 am. IFS has showers, laundry, clothing and two meals. A
nurse practitioner and social worker visit weekly and a physician
monthly. Case managers support searches for housing. Day activities are
provided by the Resource Center, funded separately.
16 Project Name Emergency Food Pantry
Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated
Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $37,000
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Description The Northampton Survival Center will provide nutritionally balanced food
packages for low- and -moderate income people. Clients also have
weekly access to fresh bread and produce. Community Action will
provide nutritious food to LMI residents.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Access to emergency food pantry, once per month for 7 day supply of
food for each member of a household. Clients may return on a weekly
basis for fresh produce and bread and bakery items.
A new waiting area allows for more client seating and includes a flat
screen television with rotating slides on cooking videos, information
about other social services in the city, and general information about
wellness, nutrition, exercise and disease prevention management. A
safety net fund allows extra visits within the month for those in extreme
need, usually related to medical concerns.
A Kids' Summer Food Program provides extra groceries for youth who
rely on the schools free and reduced meal programs.
17 Project Name Administration and Planning
Target Area
Goals Supported
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Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Support for Emergency Shelter
Rental Housing for Individuals
Rental Housing for Families
Preservation of Existing Affordable Rental Stock
Housing Rehabilitation Resources
Affordable Homeownership for Families
Housing for At - Risk & Special Needs Populations
Economic Development
Housing Support Services
Addressing Basic Needs
Elimination of Slums and Blight
Public Facilities
Public Infrastructure
Funding CDBG: $134,053
CDBG-CV: $29,272
Description Administration, planning, and monitoring of CDBG Grant Program,
Housing, and Community Development activities
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Administration of the CDBG Program, community and economic
development planning activities. Of the total City population of 28,726
there at least 15% are residents whose incomes are below the poverty
level and more are presumed to be LMI due being elderly, disabled, or
have language barriers. This translates to at least 4,309 who are
potentially eligible beneficiaries of CDBG activities and programming.
18 Project Name CV-Resiliency Hub Public Facilities
Target Area
Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs
Improvement of Public Facilities
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Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Support for Emergency Shelter
Housing Support Services
Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG-CV: $416,824
City Funding: $1,450,000
Description The costs associated with the acquisition, rehab, and/or consultation to
create a resiliency-hub to serve low- and moderate-income people and
those most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather
events, such as people experiencing homelessness. This resiliency hub
would allow people to shelter during the day away from the weather
outside and allow a space for social service agencies to meet clients. This
project may also pay for another homeless shelter, as the needs of the
COVID-19 pandemic dictate. This will not pay for operating costs.
Target Date 7/1/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
200 people who are homeless, near homeless, low- and moderate-
income, or are experiencing the affects of acute stress. This also prepares
for, prevents, and responds to the Coronavirus.
Location Description This will serve people Citywide, but the building will be in one location.
Planned Activities The costs associated with the acquisition, rehab, and/or consultation to
create a resiliency-hub to serve low- and moderate-income people and
those most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather
events, such as people experiencing homelessness. This resiliency hub
would allow people to shelter during the day away from the weather
outside and allow a space for social service agencies to meet clients. This
project may also pay for another homeless shelter, as the needs of the
COVID-19 pandemic dictate. This will not pay for operating costs.
19 Project Name CV-Food Insecurity Project
Target Area
Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG-CV: $5,000
Description The MANNA Soup Kitchen, Inc will provide five free meals a week
(Monday-Thursday and Saturdays) and will be used to respond to,
prepare for, and prevent Coronavirus.
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Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
600 persons who are homeless, have disabilities, are low- and moderate-
income, elderly, at-risk youth, or are battling addiction.
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities The MANNA Soup Kitchen provides free, hot, healthy meals five days a
week all year and has seen an increased need due to COVID-19. This
increased funding will be to respond tok prepare for, and prevent
Coronavirus.
20 Project Name CV-Emergency Food Pantry
Target Area
Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG-CV: $20,000
Description The Northampton Survival Center will provide nutritionally balanced food
packages monthly that are customized to individual's dietary needs. They
have seen an increased need to due COVID-19, so this increased funding
will be to prepare for, prevent, and respond to Coronavirus.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
2,000 persons who are either homeless, elderly, have disabilities, are
low- and moderate-income or at-risk youth or who have been affected by
COVID-19.
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities Clients can access our emergency food pantry once per month for a 7-
day supply of food for each member of the household, and may return
on a weekly basis for fresh produce and day-old breads and bakery items.
For 10 weeks each summer the Northampton Survival Center runs a Kids'
Summer Food Program which bridges the summer nutrition gap by
providing extra groceries to families with youngsters who rely on their
schools' free and reduced meal programs. These groceries form the basis
of over 30,000 nutritious meals for children who might otherwise
experience hunger during the summer break.
21 Project Name CV-Rental and Utility Assistance Program
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Target Area
Goals Supported Homelessness Prevention
Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Funding CDBG-CV: $94,956
Description Community Resources & Advocacy will meet one-onone via phone (or in
person, if available) to provide a comprehensive assessment of need,
help complete application for financial assistance and/or provide utility
advocacy to avoid shut-off. Financial assistance for up to 3 months of
consecutive rental or utility arrears to help prepare, prevent, and
respond to the Coronavirus.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
125
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities Community Resources & Advocacy will meet one-on-one via phone (or in
person, if available) to provide a comprehensive assessment of need,
help complete application for financial assistance and/or provide utility
advocacy to avoid shut-off. Financial assistance for up to 3 months of
consecutive rental or utility arrears to help prepare, prevent, and
respond to the Coronavirus.
22 Project Name CV-Storage Lockers
Target Area
Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG-CV: $5,000
Description This funding will pay storage lockers for homeless people. This may be
run by social service provider or the City. This will be prepare for,
prevent, and respond to the Coronavirus.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
20 homeless people or those using the shelter system
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Location Description Location has not been determined yet.
Planned Activities This funding will pay storage lockers for homeless people. This may be
run by social service provider or the City. This will be prepare for,
prevent, and respond to the Coronavirus.
23 Project Name CV-Emergency Homeless Services
Target Area
Goals Supported Support for Emergency Shelter System
Needs Addressed Support for Emergency Shelter
Funding CDBG-CV: $5,000
Description The City will use CBDG funds to cleanup homeless sites throughout the
City that are a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
Funds may also be used to pay for other services that will benefit the
needs of the homeless and prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This
project will help prepare for, respond to, and prevent the Coronavirus.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
25 homeless people
Location Description Locations are not determined until they have been identified, but they
could be anywhere in the City.
Planned Activities The City will use CBDG funds to cleanup homeless sites throughout the
City that are a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
Funds may also be used to pay for other services that will benefit the
needs of the homeless and prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This
project will help prepare for, respond to, and prevent the Coronavirus.
24 Project Name CV-Administration and Planning
Target Area
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Goals Supported Homelessness Prevention
Support for Emergency Shelter System
Rental Housing for Families
Rental Housing for Individuals
Preservation of Existing Affordable Rental Stock
Housing Rehabilitation
Affordable Homeownership for Families
Housing for At-Risk and Special Needs Populations
Economic Development/Income Maximization
Housing Support Services
Addressing Basic Needs
Elimination of Slums and Blight
Improvement of Public Facilities
Planning and Administration
Needs Addressed
Funding CDBG-CV: $44,272
Description Planning and administrations expenses related to responding to,
preparing for, and preventing the Coronavirus.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description
Planned Activities Administration of the CDBG Program, community, and economic
development planning activities. Of the total City population of 28,726,
at least 15% are residents whose incomes are below the poverty level.
More are presumed to be LMI due to being elderly, disabled, or have
language barriers. This translates to at least 4,309 who are potentially
eligible beneficiaries of CDBG activities and programming. These funds
will be used to prepare, prevent, and respond to the coronavirus.
25 Project Name CV-Grants for Micro-enterprises
Target Area
Goals Supported Economic Development/Income Maximization
Needs Addressed Economic Development
Funding CDBG-CV: $55,000
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Description Grant money for grants micro-enterprises businesses that employ LMI
persons to keep from closing, to retain LMI jobs, purchase equipment,
and support the creation or expansion of jobs.
Target Date 6/30/2021
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Up to 22 businesses assisted
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities The Office of Planning & Sustainability will administer grant money for
loans, grants, or micro-enterprises assistance for businesses that employ
LMI persons to keep from closing, to retain LMI jobs, purchase
equipment, and support the creation or expansion of jobs.
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AP-50 Geographic Distribution – 91.220(f)
Description of the geographic areas of the entitlement (including areas of low-income and
minority concentration) where assistance will be directed
CDBG Round III funds were allocated to meet the needs that were identified from citizen participation,
consultation with service providers, and from public health experts analysis of challenges for the
upcoming winter months. The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing and the report on panhandling
were both completed in 2019. Both those planning efforts have yielded new areas of need where
funding should be directed.
Census tracts of more than 20% minority population are defined as areas of minority concentration.
Using One CPD and drafts of the AI, several census blocks groups have been identified in Northampton
as environmental justice populations, showing as minority, income, or minority & income populations.
There are areas of concentration of minority populations in tracts where the Housing Authority
properties are located, such as Hampshire Heights (79 units) and Florence Heights (49). Meadowbrook
Apartments (252) and Hathaway Farms (207) also contain racially and ethnically diverse resident
populations. The Community Development Planner worked closely with the Housing Authority to
encourage their participation in the CDBG Program. This collaboration resulted in a $95,000 CDBG
award. Members of the Housing Partnership are also working with the NHA staff and residents of
Hampshire Heights to prepare a Community Preservation Act application for play equipment at the
development.
Casa Latina ceased to operate during the last program year, and the core services of advocating for the
Latino residents in Hampshire County has transferred to Community Action. As that role shift solidifies,
the City will advocate for additional funding to ensure that outreach continues to occur to serve the
Hispanic community in Northampton and beyond.
Geographic Distribution
Target Area Percentage of Funds
No geographic Priorities Designated 100
Table 8 - Geographic Distribution
Rationale for the priorities for allocating investments geographically
The Public Service programs that are funded by CDBG all deliver their services city-wide. Northampton is
a small city, so, there are no clearly defined larger geographic areas with high need. Sub-recipients do
employ targeted outreach strategies to areas, to reach populations that face more challenges than the
community at large, however.
Properties participating in the Housing Rehab Program have been served on a first come first served
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basis. Their locations have been widely dispersed across the City. If funding allows the rehab program to
continue, there may be neighborhoods defined in the future as places to concentrate rehab efforts, for a
more comprehensive revitalization strategy.
Discussion
The City's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, currently being updated by the Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission, could potentially identify areas within the City where resources need to be
directed. PVPC has an in-house data center, so the Census data, American Community Survey data and
other relevant data sources that exist, will be examined extensively. The timing of the completion of this
report will assist in the preparation of a new 5-year Consolidated Plan in 2020.
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Affordable Housing
AP-55 Affordable Housing – 91.220(g)
Introduction
Despite the new units being created every year, the need for additional deeply subsidized affordable
units in Northampton remains great. Over 450 applications were received by Valley CDC for the newly
created 55 apartments at the Lumber Yard Apartments. The bulk of the applications were from those
with the lowest income levels. Rent up at Live 155 last year looked similar. The demand for the units
renting at the 30% of area median income level and below, is huge. The Section 8 Housing Choice
Voucher list maintained at the Northampton Housing Authority has been closed since 2014. There are
229 households on that waiting list. The NHA does not plan to open that list for at least three years from
now. The wait for Federal and State housing units at the NHA for both elderly/disabled and families is at
least two years. Although the NHA states they do not have enough resources to participate in the small
area Fair Market Rent program, they do utilize a 108% rate on the 2018 FMR's, which was implemented
last year. This increased rate significantly improved the ability for new voucher holders to lease up with
area landlords. There was a drop in the Fair Market rents in 2019 but the NHA did not change their
payment standard to reflect the loss, therefore no voucher holders were negatively impacted.
The Northampton Housing Authority owns and manages 619 affordable units in Northampton. There are
50 units of Federal family housing (Florence Heights), 80 units of State family housing (Hampshire
Heights), 60 Federal Elderly 62+and Disabled (McDonald House) and 377 State units of elderly
60+/Disabled located in Forsander, Cahill Apts., Tobin Manor and Salvo House. The NHA also administers
6 projected based MRVP vouchers (Mass Rental Voucher Program) and 856 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Northampton continues to work diligently with community partners to create housing opportunities in
the City. If actual units are not added every year, projects enter the pipeline. Between the Live 155
Development (70 units, 48 affordable) the Lumber Yard Apartments (55), Village Hill (65 new; 220+
total), the Sergeant House (16 new), the Northampton Teen Housing Project (8), 214 units will have or
will be completed, in a five year period.
One Year Goals for the Number of Households to be Supported
Homeless 324
Non-Homeless 3,400
Special-Needs 40
Total 3,764
Table 9 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Requirement
One Year Goals for the Number of Households Supported Through
Rental Assistance 1,780
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One Year Goals for the Number of Households Supported Through
The Production of New Units 24
Rehab of Existing Units 15
Acquisition of Existing Units 0
Total 1,819
Table 10 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Type
Discussion
It is difficult to provide an accurate count, depending on how HUD defines "households to be
supported" and people served often utilize multiple services in a one year period. For instance, someone
might attend MANNA meals while living in an SRO unit and being assisted by the SRO Outreach
Coordinator.
The number of homeless households to be supported is the tally of the anticipated annual number to be
served at the Grove Street Inn (90) and the Hampshire County Interfaith Winter Shelter (200) , as well as
the 17 emergency shelter beds administered by Soldier On (assuming one turnover) 17x2=34). The beds
at Safe Passage's Emergency Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence (capacity of 6 families) are not
reflected, as not all participants are considered homeless. The number of non-homeless to be supported
is the tally of all public service grantees annual counts from last year, minus the two shelter counts. The
number of special needs households to be supported is an estimate of the number of Department of
Mental Health and Department of Developmental Services residential units in the community; the exact
number of each will not be verified by either system, or the Dept. of Housing and Community
Development.
The rental assistance number is the count from the Northampton Housing Authority relative to VASH
(285) and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (874). The numbers administered by other Housing
Authorities are not available.
The number of newly produced units reflects the 4 units in the newly constructed Northampton
TeenHousing building (housing and support services for unaccompanied homeless youth), the 16 new
units at the 82 Bridge Street /Sergeant House SRO building and 4 new Habitat homeownership units
(Glendale Road). The 4 units brought online last year in the existing building for the TeenHousing
project, are not reflected here. The 15 existing units at the Sergeant House being renovated into
enhanced SRO units are reflected in the "Rehab of Existing Units" line. No existing units are proposed for
acquisition in this program year.
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AP-60 Public Housing – 91.220(h)
Introduction
Actions planned during the next year to address the needs to public housing
The Northampton Housing Authority plans on undertaking the following projects in the 2019-2020
program year:
Federal Properties:
McDonald House - Elevator replacement Phase 1 and generator replacement
Florence Heights - Installation of new siding; cabinet, countertop and appliance replacement
State Properties:
Salvo House - Power wash the exterior, installation of security cameras in the elevators
Hampshire Heights - Basement water mitigation and Phase 1 of window replacements
Cahill Apartments - Installation of handicap access ramps at the entrances to 3 buildings in the
development
Actions to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and
participate in homeownership
<div style="direction: ltr;">When homeownership and down payment assistance opportunities are
presented, such as through the Wayfinder’s Housing Consumer Education Center, the Northampton
Housing Authority publicizes these opportunities to the residents. The NHA formally recognized the
creation of a Tenants Association at Hampshire Heights (State family housing development) and
continues to work with McDonald House, and Forsander Tenant Associations. A meeting is also held
yearly for federal properties for the Capital Fund Program, to solicit input on needed renovation
projects.</div><div style="direction: ltr;"></div><div style="direction: ltr;">The NHA participates in the
dissemination of smoking cessation materials when tenants move into a unit and continues to install
smoking shelters at developments annually as needed. The NHA sponsors tenant events, produces a
newsletter, works with the State's LEAP program for increasing educational attainment for residents of
Hampshire Heights. The NHA will launch a website in August of 2019 which will allow increased
communication with management and greater access to policies and procedures for residents. A new
Resident Services Coordinator was hired in June of 2019 for the two family developments; Hampshire
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Heights and Florence Heights. With the ongoing collaborations, NHA residents will become more
engaged in the management of their housing and seek out and utilize increased resources to achieve
enhanced economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.</div>
If the PHA is designated as troubled, describe the manner in which financial assistance will be
provided or other assistance
The Northampton Housing Authority is not designated as "troubled".
Discussion
The Northampton Housing Partnership, through the leadership of member Edgar Cancel, is working
collaboratively with Housing Authority staff and residents to install playground equipment at Hampshire
Heights. An application to the Community Preservation Committee will be submitted in September of
2019 for the project. This project will tie in with a community gardens program being implemented by
residents with assistance from Healthy Hampshire. Florence Heights will be examined as well, for
possible outdoor opportunities there. The NHA was encouraged this spring to apply for CDBG funding
for physical plant improvements at other properties. This manifested in an award of $95,000 of CDBG
dollars to accomplish handicap accessibility enhancements at several Housing Authority properties.
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AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities – 91.220(i)
Introduction
Describe the jurisdictions one-year goals and actions for reducing and ending homelessness
including
Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their
individual needs
The City of Northampton works in close partnership with Eliot Homeless Services. Eliot is the selected
vendor with the Statewide contract from the Department of Mental Health to administer the PATH
Program (Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness). This grant provides street outreach
clinicians in these Western Mass. communities - Pittsfield, Greenfield, Amherst, Northampton, Holyoke,
Westfield and Springfield. The PATH worker in Northampton has been in the position more than 20
years and knows the population well. The clinician works closely with the Northampton Police
Department, Tapestry Health and ServiceNet, Inc. to link clients with needed services and housing
search. He is part of a group that assembles for case conferencing through HUD's coordinated entry
system and they prioritize chronically homeless people for housing placement and services.
The PATH worker attends the Housing and Community Development Planner’s monthly Next Step
Collaborative meetings and provides up to date information on the numbers and locations of people
living outside. This helps guide outreach activities and informs the City about whether the existing
shelter capacity will be enough for the season. They visit camps and conducts engagement and
assessment activities. During the day, unsheltered people can access the Hampshire County Resource
Center for additional case management work.
Dial-Self, the area agency serving homeless unaccompanied youth, employs staff that conduct outreach.
Their workers connect with young people at meal and shelter sites. There are plans to enhance outreach
to the encampments and expand the interdisciplinary team beyond the Eliot Clinician to include
Tapestry staff (syringe use/safe disposal, opioid treatment) and ServiceNet Resource Center staff
(service linkages and housing search).
The Community Development Planner is monitoring a protocol that was developed last year with the
City's Department of Public Works, the Board of Health, the Building Inspection office, the Office of
Planning & Sustainability and Eliot Homeless Services to coordinate the response of City departments to
the encampments. The number of unsheltered homeless living outside is increasing and Army Corps
lands and conservation restricted lands are unable to host camps. The Police and EMS personnel
sometimes need to access areas that have been blocked off for conservation purposes. DPW and
Planning & Sustainability personnel must go in and clean up abandoned camps where there may be
trash and used drug paraphernalia. The effort here is to have social service providers engage with
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campers to inform them if the camp needs to be vacated, so they can access services or at least protect
their personal items and documents. Another goal is to protect campers and workers from potentially
harmful camp conditions. Smith College has agreed to utilize the outreach team for assessment and
engagement of people living in camps on property owned by the College. Planning & Sustainability has
cleaned up 3 sites so far this year, and the outreach team was able to engage with inhabitants
beforehand and make service linkages.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons
ServiceNet, Inc., the administrator of the year-round Grove Street Inn Emergency Shelter for Individuals
and the Hampshire County Interfaith Winter Shelter (in partnership with the Friends of Hampshire
County Homeless Individuals) struggles to keep both programs operational. HUD's focus on permanent
supported housing negates the fact that not everyone is ready for permanent housing. There is still a
need for emergency shelters and transitional housing programs. ESG and CDBG are two of the only
sources to fund emergency shelters. ServiceNet must utilize private donations, and other agency funds
to cover costs.
Transitional housing was a successful model that allowed intensive case management and the time
needed for people to hone the skills needed for long term housing stability. Most of all the prior
transitional housing programs funded through the Continuum of Care have been converted to
permanent supported housing units, to conform with HUD's funding priorities. As a result, the only
transitional housing programs with a 24-month length of stay limit operating in Northampton are the
163 beds managed by Soldier On at the VA Medical Campus which includes 16 units recently created for
women Veterans and their children.
Northampton does not have a generic emergency shelter for families, and there are no families living in
encampments that have been discovered to date. As a result, most of the City's homeless services
coordination work is focused on individuals. There is a need for increased services for women, as there
is an increasing number of women in the shelters. Many have been traumatized by domestic violence
and have mental health and substance use disorder challenges. There are couples living outside as well,
because if they go into shelter, they will be separated. The Safe Passage shelter for victims of domestic
violence and their children is always full and the Center for Human Development's Grace House for
women in recovery and their children, is always at full capacity. There is also a need to accommodate
people living unsheltered with pets. It is virtually impossible however, to encourage an agency to create
new programming to address these needs, due to the insufficient funding sources that exist for
emergency shelter programs.
With the two downtown shelters for individuals in Northampton, and the satellite overflow site
ServiceNet oversees at a church in Easthampton as well as Craig's Doors in Amherst, there are no plans
currently to increase shelter capacity this coming year. During the coldest days this past winter,
ServiceNet was able to accommodate the numbers in need between the three sites.
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The City facilitated a meeting in January of last year to brainstorm the development of a Safe Havens
model in Northampton. Several small projects in existing homes housing 4-6 participants each, in a true
Housing First model, is the City's goal. Bi-weekly meetings are being held with the Department of Mental
Health to see if at least one project can get underway.
Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families
with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to
permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that
individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals
and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were
recently homeless from becoming homeless again
The City utilizes the Hampshire County Resource Center, located at 43 Center Street, administered by
ServiceNet, Inc. as the main entry point for homeless individuals to access services. The Center has case
managers, Health Care for the Homeless nurses and doctors and a benefits specialist. Food, laundry and
showers are available. During the winter months, the space also houses the Hampshire Interfaith Winter
Shelter with capacity for 22 individuals. The Center for Human Development now manages permanent
supported housing units through the CoC, to which referrals can be made. (ServiceNet gave up their
McKinney allocation of $600,000 annually/60 units and CHD has stepped in to continue that
administration).
As part of the implementation of the new coordinated entry system, there is now a 1-800 number to call
for service referral. REACH meetings (Regional Engagement and Assessment of Chronically Homeless
people) have evolved into Coordinated Entry meetings. Relevant service providers meet weekly and
monthly to assess and place chronically homeless people when housing placements exist. The City's
Veterans Agent participates when Veterans are identified in need of assistance. Dial/Self staff
participate when someone between the ages of 18-24 present for services. Jessie's House in Amherst
addresses the needs of families finding themselves homeless, through referrals from the Department of
Transitional Assistance. Grace House in Northampton houses women in recovery and their children
through a closed referral process from the Department of Public Health. Safe Passage serves those
affected by domestic violence. All these programs work with participants to assess their needs and
provide case management with the goal of helping them transition to permanent housing and
independent living. The length of stay depends on how quickly a participant can address the obstacles
they face that may prevent them from accessing housing, and the availability of a unit.
The City is cognizant of the need for housing, to facilitate the ability of people to move forward and out
of homelessness. The renovation and expansion of the Sergeant House SRO (82 Bridge Street), the new
construction of Live 155 and the Lumber Yard Apartments, the Northampton Teen Housing Program
through Dial Self, and the new rental housing proposed for Village Hill are all developments that will
increase the number of housing opportunities available to those income eligible and housing ready
households, creating movement in the community. True Housing First units are now being prioritized for
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development. The CDBG funded public service agencies doing housing stabilization work (SRO Outreach,
Community Legal Aid), the CPC funded Community Housing Support Services Program and Resident
Service Coordinators at the Housing Authority and larger apartment complexes, all work diligently to
prevent people from returning to homelessness.
This section heading speaks to goals achievable only with the presence of an active, fully resourced
support services network. It is very difficult to find adequate resources to fund the types of staff
positions focused on housing stabilization. Federal and State agencies need to fully support funding
these positions. It is difficult locally as well, as the Community Preservation Committee prefers to fund
projects, vs. positions.
Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely
low-income individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly
funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities,
foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); or, receiving
assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services,
employment, education, or youth needs.
Public systems that have adopted policies stating they will not discharge people into homelessness can
only implement this practice if there are other options. Each of these systems should contribute to
creating these options. For example, people being released from the correctional system, should have a
system of next step housing in the community for their inmates to access. Similarly, enough numbers of
mental health recovery residences, and detox beds, need to exist. These public systems cannot depend
on being able to refer people to local shelters, because rarely is there an open bed. Prevention and
diversion strategies only work when other resource options are available. The City will continue to work
with the Regional Network on those broader systemic solutions.
In the limited capacity that it can, the City will continue to support, with CDBG funding and advocacy,
the SRO Outreach Program and the Community Legal Aid Homeless Prevention Program, to allow them
to work with residents whose tenancies are at risk. The SRO Outreach Coordinator can help a tenant
mediate a dispute with a landlord to avoid eviction, and the CLA Attorneys conduct advocacy at Housing
Court which often results in payment plans to preserve the tenancy. The City, through the Community
Preservation Committee will continue to support the Community Housing Support Services Program that
works with court involved residents facing eviction for non-payment issues. The CPC awarded the
program an additional year of funding that expires in 2020. These programs serve more than 100
households annually and have very high success rates for preserving tenancies.
Social workers from the Cooley Dickinson Hospital attend the Next Step Collaborative meetings to
network with service providers. They will contact ServiceNet to identify available beds prior to releasing
a patient into homelessness. Soldier On will pick up any Veteran being released from the Hampshire
County House of Corrections, who does not have a place to go identified. The City's Veterans Agent does
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extensive case management and works closely with Soldier On and the Northampton Housing Authority
who administers the regions VASH units.
The City also advocates for and utilizes the State funded Tenancy Preservation Program that works with
households at risk in the Pioneer Valley. They have developed an expertise around assisting tenants at
risk of eviction due to hoarding issues. Dial/Self works closely with the Department of Families and
Children, and the Department of Youth Services to address youth being discharged from the foster care
system. Dial/Self provides housing and support services to this population and the first 4 of their 8 units
on Hatfield Street are now operational. The new building, to be completed in the fall (2019) will provide
4 additional residential units, as well as a common area and office space for case management services
for at risk unaccompanied homeless youth.
Most of the public services agencies funded by the City with CDBG directly or indirectly prevent
homelessness. Increasing language competency to secure work and economic self-sufficiency, accessing
free food to be better able to afford housing costs, preparing at risk youth for employment
opportunities and career paths, are some examples. Enhancing self-worth, life skills and educational
attainment for better employment, are all critical components to having stable housing and healthy
livelihoods.
Discussion
CDBG funding will continue to be provided to the City's two shelters for staffing. The Community
Development Planner works with the Interfaith Shelter's Management Committee which oversees the
operation of the winter shelter, in conjunction with ServiceNet, Inc. and the Friends of the Homeless.
Collaborative advocacy and support will be provided to Safe Passage for the operation of their
emergency family shelter for victims of domestic violence and to Soldier On for their emergency and
transitional beds that serve men and women Veterans. The Community Development Planner will
continue to facilitate monthly meetings with the City's homeless service providers at the Next Step
Collaborative, to ensure services are coordinated and utilized effectively. City updates are provided
about the production of new units, which is the key to successful movement for people working to exit
homelessness.
Elders who may be at risk are served by Highland Valley Elder Services, the Northampton Housing
Authority, Northampton's Council on Aging and the Senior Center. Services include home modification
grants/loan to age in place, home delivered meals, public housing and outreach, education and
socialization opportunities. The EARN program, formerly supported by CDBG and now self-sufficient,
provides an opportunity for income maximization for elders not able to survive on Social Security or
savings alone after retirement.
Households with members who are disabled can be served by Stavros Center for Independent Living, the
Department of Developmental Services and the Mass. Rehabilitation Commission. Households with
members experiencing mental health issues are served by ServiceNet, Inc., Community Support Options
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and the Department of Mental Health. A newly created and opened Recovery Center located at 2
Gleason Plaza serves as a day drop in and resource center for those in recovery from substance use and
mental health disorders. DMH and DDS have residential programs that operate in the City, with 24/7-
hour staffing supports.
The Department of Public Health opened a detox facility three years ago in Greenfield, which increased
the bed capacity for those in need of such a facility and treatment. Gandara Mental Health Center
operates Hairston House, the Alliance for Sober Living and the Maple Avenue house in Northampton for
those in recovery from substance use. Victims of domestic violence access Safe Passage for emergency
hot line information and referrals, emergency shelter, legal advocacy and case management services.
People living with HIV/Aids can be served by A Positive Place for housing subsidies and support services
which operates out of Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.
With all the newly created affordable housing units in Northampton, as well as those in the pipeline,
none function as true housing first units - where people are met where they are, with less than stellar
landlord histories, active addiction issues, poor credit histories or other challenges. Those are the units
the City still needs to create, to accomplish any significant movement of people out of the emergency
shelter system. Tenant selection policies, multi-year waiting lists and insufficient incomes to afford
"affordable" housing, remain huge obstacles to truly addressing the needs of people experiencing
homelessness. The irony is, we need to create the kind of homes that used to exist, where people who
just needed a small, affordable safe place to live their lives, without excessive scrutiny, could reside in
our community.
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AP-75 Barriers to affordable housing – 91.220(j)
Introduction:
Actions it planned to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve
as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning
ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the
return on residential investment
"Unlocking Opportunity - An Assessment of Barriers to Fair Housing Choice in Northampton" will be
completed by June 30, 2019. The project began in the summer of 2018. The consultant working with the
Northampton Housing Partnership is the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. City staff and Partnership
members, in conjunction with PVPC successfully assembled and facilitated 10 stakeholder sessions, 4
focus groups, a lively public session as well as a survey to accomplish community engagement. The
recommendations and actions that the report will articulate will form the base of work for the Housing
Partnership moving forward. The Housing Partnership serves as the City's Fair Housing Committee and
members have been very involved in this process. Some of the barriers identified in the Draft Report are
as follows:
Rising cost of housing, substandard housing and lead paint, complexity of accessing the affordable
housing system, jobs/employment and a living wage, the need for units accessible to people aging and
people with disabilities, cultural awareness and language access, lack of knowledge and public education
regarding fair housing rights, the need for more two+ bedroom homes, discrimination based on race and
country of origin, local preferences at the Northampton Housing Authority limiting regional mobility,
service agencies being under resourced and understaffed, the need for resources to improve credit
scores, limited public transportation options and housing struggles faced by people leaving correctional
facilities.
Other areas related to zoning and development are being examined, although most of the barriers
within the control of City departments have been ameliorated. The report recommendations will be
presented to the City Council in the fall, as they are the body that provided funding for the effort. The
Housing Partnership will build in implementation updates to its monthly agendas. The Zoning Sub-
Committee of the Housing Partnership will work closely with the Office of Planning & Sustainability to
implement any zoning revisions that result from the fair housing analysis, such as making the creation of
multi-family units permissible by right in all zoning districts.
The Massachusetts Fair Housing Center will continue to do community education and outreach at
various venues in Northampton during the next program year and will process complaints of
discrimination originating in the City. The Housing Partnership will hold an educational session in the fall
for local landlords to learn about support services available should they choose to house a Veteran with
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a VASH voucher, or a person exiting homelessness. Building code issues, fair housing law and lead paint
abatement information will also be presented.
Discussion:
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AP-85 Other Actions – 91.220(k)
Introduction:
The City can and will play a critical role in facilitating communication and collaboration in the face of
limited community resources. It is imperative that our service delivery system operate as efficiently and
effectively as possible to meet the needs of residents. The City will support people and organizations
carrying out public service programming, preserving and creating affordable housing, increasing peoples
economic self-sufficiency, enhancing public facilities and infrastructure to improve the life quality of
people that may be underserved, have insufficient incomes and/or face challenges that hinder them
from achieving their goals.
Actions planned to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs
Specifically, the City will support and participate in the Western Massachusetts Network to End
Homelessness, the Rural Three County Continuum of Care, the Next Step Collaborative, the
Northampton Housing Partnership and the committees of the Network, to stay informed and proactive
on a regional and local level. This involvement informs the work of the Mayor's Office and relevant City
departments to ensure that local government is an active and responsive partner in addressing
obstacles faced by people facing challenges.
As identified in last year's Action Plan, a high priority need is for housing and services for women.
Dialogue will continue to occur with Safe Passage to determine if they are interested in developing
housing options for victims of domestic violence. To date, the agency has focused on consolidating and
renovating new office space and do not have housing development as a part of their strategic plan, at
this time.
The creation of true housing first units, perhaps in congregate settings, like the old Safe Havens model
will be pursued in the new program year. At a meeting held by the City in January of 2019, 30+
attendees began to brainstorm this topic. The traditional non-profit housing developers expressed no
desire to enter this realm. The One Stop Applications typically submitted by these entities (Valley CDC
and Way Finders) will not fund smaller projects. The Sergeant House Project ( 31 units ) will be a $7
million project; the Lumber Yard Project ( 55 units of affordable housing ) is a $19 million project, as was
Live 155 ( 70 units ). The State's newly created Community Scale Initiative Program will be providing
funding for the 35 Village Hill Road mixed income mixed use project which will contain 12 units. But true
Housing First units, that really should not be developed without solid support services dollars, are hard
to create.
The non-profit housing developers have said that HUD's McKinney funding works better for subsidies
than for development, but it is difficult to utilize HUD funds. This is because coordinating HUD funding
cycles (where the dollars are not actually forthcoming for a year or more, as one applies in advance)
with the State funds needed for the development costs, are very hard to mesh. Due to the time delays
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for all funding decisions, it is very hard for a non-profit to ask a seller to wait, as few have the funds for
acquisition at the ready, when a property becomes available. As a result, local discussion will be about
how to utilize CDBG and CPC dollars to purchase existing homes and work to identify where support
service dollars can come from. There is new movement in the health care realm, as Accountable Care
Organizations, through hospital systems have service dollars available. CSO (Community Support
Options) a regional mental health agency has received a three-year SAMHSA grant that has created local
clinics that can provide services to the homeless and others, and can make home visits to people who
have difficulty coming to the clinic settings. Much energy is required to knit all the disparate
components together to create these supported housing opportunities, but the City is committed.
The City will support with CDBG funds, the agencies that provide direct front line services to those
finding themselves most in need in our community. The on-going communication with those entities
through meetings and interactive monitoring sessions facilitates coordinated responses to meeting the
needs of those underserved. The City will work with the Mass Fair Housing Center to insure people who
feel they have been discriminated against have a path for recourse. The City will also work with the
Northampton Housing Authority staff and Board of Commissioners to support their efforts to maximize
opportunities for self-sufficiency for their residents.
Actions planned to foster and maintain affordable housing
The Department of Housing and Community Development's Subsidized Housing Inventory of formally
subsidized housing units is monitored continually by the Director of Planning & Sustainability, the
Community Development Planner and the Housing Partnership. Work was done last year to try to
preserve affordability at Leeds Village Apartments. City staff worked with the Holyoke Housing Authority
to assign some Mobility to Work vouchers to the property. The subsidy amount was not high enough for
the owner to agree to accept. The property will continue to serve residents with vouchers, but the
efforts to project base some subsidies was not successful. No other expiring use dates are occurring in
the next decade, as most of the newer projects are affordable in perpetuity, or don't expire until 2030
and after.
Recent funding expenditures to foster affordable housing creation are still being implemented. CDBG
and Community Preservation Act funding has been allocated in the past few years with projects coming
to fruition regularly. Live 155 (70 units/ $150,000 CDBG) opened last spring (2018); the Lumber Yard
Apartments (55 units/$200,000 CDBG) is opening in June of 2019; the Friends of the Homeless-Dial/Self
Teen Housing Project for unaccompanied homeless youth will complete its second phase and have 8
units available this fall (2019/ $65,000 CDBG); Village Hill North (53 units/$150,000 CDBG) is awaiting
funding from the State for a One Stop application submitted in February of 2019; 35 Village Hill Road (12
units) is fully funded and will begin construction this summer (2019). Construction has just begun on the
renovation/expansion of the Sergeant House SRO (31 units/$150,000 CDBG) and will be available for
occupancy next March (2020). The 4 new homes being produced by Habitat for Humanity will all be on
line by mid 2020 ($135,000 CDBG).
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Actions planned to reduce lead-based paint hazards
The City's Housing Rehabilitation Program will continue to include lead paint abatement as an eligible
activity. All units addressed by the program are tested for lead, and abatement occurs when required.
The program parameter of permitting up to $45,000 to be spent per unit was designed specifically to be
able to address lead paint abatement if needed. The City's Board of Health continues to maintain the
data base they created, to have an up to date inventory of units that have been certified as lead free.
The annual letter from the Mayor to every landlord in the community thanking them for their
contribution to the housing inventory contains information on lead paint laws and resources for
abatement. Levels of childhood lead poisoning remain low according to the State's Department of Public
Health, but the City is aware that lead paint is a silent discriminator when landlords refuse units to
families so they can avoid removing lead. The public education campaign that will result from the
Analysis of Impediments report will address increasing information dissemination about this illegal
practice.
Actions planned to reduce the number of poverty-level families
The City will work to support the MANNA Soup Kitchen, the SRO Outreach Program Food Pantry and the
Northampton Survival Center to address food insecurity and free up income for housing costs. The
Literacy Project, The Center for New Americans and Community Action's Youth Employment Readiness
Program will assist residents with economic empowerment. Valley CDC's Small Business Assistance
Program helps people with low incomes to start businesses to increase household income and create
jobs. This program, typically in receipt of $10,000 in CDBG funds each year, was allocated $20,000 this
year to enhance the program offerings.
The City's Community Preservation Committee will continue to fund the Community Housing Support
Services Program this year. The CHSSP Manager works with court involved families facing eviction for
non-payment issues. Working intensively with each family, the goal is to impart information to develop
financial budgeting skills, life skills and maximize earning potential that will move a family out of crisis
into housing stability and hopefully out of poverty.
The Northampton City Council supports the work of the Living Wage Campaign and publicly
acknowledges employers in the community that pay a living wage. The Pioneer Valley Workers Center
advocates for disenfranchised workers to secure higher pay and safe and respectful work environments.
They do education and outreach to insure employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities and
strives to improve employer/employee relationships.
CDBG funds have been allocated this year to Community Action's Resource and Advocacy Center
(formerly First Call for Help) where people can call in and receive direct assistance to access resources
and benefits. Bi-lingual staff are available to serve the Latinx community, as Community Action has
absorbed some of the services formerly delivered by Casa Latina, which has been dissolved. The City and
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Community Legal Aid have been active in securing local services from Way Finders in Housing Court and
for RAFT application intakes, so local service providers and clients don't have to drive to Springfield to
access those resources. There is also an effort to identify a location for a laptop/kiosk sponsored by the
Department of Transitional Assistance so people can access SNAP benefits online, without having to go
to the Holyoke office to apply.
Actions planned to develop institutional structure
With regular monthly meetings of the Northampton Housing Partnership, the Next Step Collaborative,
the Chronically Homeless Coordinated Entry meetings and the various monthly meetings of the Western
Mass Network to End Homelessness (services for individuals, families, youth, Veterans), the Office of
Planning & Sustainability stays current on issues. The quarterly meetings of the Valley CDC Property
Management and Service Providers and other regional meetings such as the Pioneer Valley Regional
Planning Commission's Housing Plan Implementation Committee, the Inclusive Communities Advisory
Group and COSA/Council on Social Service agencies; provide additional input.
The Next Step Collaborative meetings are attended by providers working with sheltered and unsheltered
people, Veterans, people with HIV/Aids, residents of the SRO's, homeless and formerly homeless
consumers. The Housing Partnership is composed of a landlord, a clergy person, a legal aid attorney, a
retired VA Social Worker, a Housing Authority tenant, a domestic violence professional, and interested
citizens.
The information about needs and City priorities is funneled to the Mayor's Office through all these
interactions. The institutional structure that exists is comprehensive and effective. City collaborations
have been enhanced by connections to other departments and boards; a requirement by the
Community Preservation Committee that all housing proposals be reviewed by the Housing Partnership;
the presence of Planning & Sustainability staff on the Technical Review process which provides a venue
for project proponents to have their plans reviewed by City departments and boards prior to official
submission; and a closer worker relationship with the Northampton Housing Authority.
Actions planned to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social
service agencies
The City will continue to support the Community Housing Support Services Program which works
primarily with tenants of the Northampton Housing Authority and Meadowbrook Apartments. Close
collaboration with the property managers, resident services coordinators, attorneys and case managers
to accomplish housing stabilization saves money and stress for all parties involved. The Coordinator will
work on budgeting, life skills and income maximization to assist residents with housing stabilization.
Property managers support the CHSSP program, as it results in less eviction cases, legal costs and unit
turnover expenses. Meetings will be held with the Center for Human Development during the next
program year to identify future funding once the CPC funds are exhausted (mid 2020).
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The City will continue to support and attend the sessions between the Valley CDC and Wayfinders as
they meet with social service providers engaged in housing stabilization efforts for their tenants. These
affordable housing developers and property managers strive to support their tenants to prevent
evictions. The Community Development Planner attends these meetings to identify broader issues that
the City can address through workshops, training and networking collaborations. For example, City staff
made the linkages between Easthampton Savings Bank, Meadowbrook Apartments and the CHSSP
Coordinator to sponsor a financial literacy workshop for Meadowbrook residents.
Wayfinders will be managing the Lumber Yard Apartments and the Sergeant House for Valley CDC when
those projects are completed. This is in addition to their own properties - Paradise Pond Apartments,
the Earle Street SRO, Live 155 and the Lorraine SRO at 96 Pleasant Street. Valley utilizes HMR Property
Management for the Maples, Millbank, the King Street SRO and the School Street apartments. HMR is
familiar with social service agencies providing housing stabilization work for tenants and all interface
collaboratively. Valley CDC and Wayfinders also work in partnership to develop, own and manage
affordable housing for the City and region.
The City will continue to work with the Northampton Housing Authority's Resident Services Coordinators
to insure they are aware of local resources to enhance self-sufficiency for their tenants. The NHA
recently hired an RSC for Hampshire Heights, in addition to Florence Heights, to serve the families in
their public housing developments, an exciting step forward. The City is actively working to identify
grant sources to install playground equipment at Hampshire Heights and has secured design services for
schematics to use for grant applications.
The Coordinated Entry meetings have identified the need for more landlords to be willing to accept
chronically homeless people. The City will participate in adjusting the agenda at the annual landlord
workshop in the fall of 2019 to add the Veterans Agent, ServiceNet and other providers who wish to
address this gathering. The City's Veterans agent has presented in the past, to encourage landlords to
utilize VASH vouchers and come forward to house homeless Veterans. The same can be done for other
sub-populations at this venue.
Discussion:
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Program Specific Requirements
AP-90 Program Specific Requirements – 91.220(l)(1,2,4)
Introduction:
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
Reference 24 CFR 91.220(l)(1)
Projects planned with all CDBG funds expected to be available during the year are identified in the
Projects Table. The following identifies program income that is available for use that is included in
projects to be carried out.
1. The total amount of program income that will have been received before the start of the next
program year and that has not yet been reprogrammed 0
2. The amount of proceeds from section 108 loan guarantees that will be used during the year to
address the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the grantee's strategic plan. 0
3. The amount of surplus funds from urban renewal settlements 0
4. The amount of any grant funds returned to the line of credit for which the planned use has not
been included in a prior statement or plan 0
5. The amount of income from float-funded activities 0
Total Program Income: 0
Other CDBG Requirements
1. The amount of urgent need activities 0
2. The estimated percentage of CDBG funds that will be used for activities that benefit
persons of low and moderate income.Overall Benefit - A consecutive period of one,
two or three years may be used to determine that a minimum overall benefit of 70%
of CDBG funds is used to benefit persons of low and moderate income. Specify the
years covered that include this Annual Action Plan. 90.00%
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The Plan details how funds expected from the 2019 grant (B-19-MC-25-0027) will be expended including
anticipated income from various loans of $1,252. These loans consist of a 1st time home buyer
repayment of $21.08 per month and a housing development loan payment of $1,000 per year.
Additional program income, if any, is unknown as it is dependent on whether deferred housing rehab
and home repair loans are paid off. Over the past several years, due to the difficult economic situation,
the City has seen few repayments. The majority of homeowners request subordinations. All
unanticipated program income received during the prior program year has been allocated in this year's
document.
This plan covers overall benefit from the program years 2017, 2018, 2019, and CV funding. $125,000 of
which is CDBG entitlement funds and $55,000 that are being allocated for Urgent Need. Massachusetts
Governor Charlie Baker officially declared a state of emergency on March 10, 2020.
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