2021-2022 Y38 AAP Annual Action Plan
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Executive Summary
AP-05 Executive Summary - 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b)
1. Introduction
The City of Northampton (City) is pleased to submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) this Year 2 Action Plan for the City's Five-Year Consolidated Plan 2020-2024. The
program year runs from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022. The City will receive $683,764 from the 2021
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant. This document outlines how the City will allocate
and expend these funds to accommodate low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents and address
urgent needs. The City is committed to developing community partnerships and working with service
providers to assist those most in need of relief due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Summarize the objectives and outcomes identified in the Plan
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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.
Public Facilities / Access $206,413.67
Acquisition of a community resiliency hub to accommodate homeless persons and low- and moderate-
income people with housing activities, access to public services, and shelter from extreme weather
events: $66,785
Install wheelchair ramps and bathroom accessibility at NHA property's: $55,000
Install playground at Northampton Housing Authority’s Hampshire Height’s property: $110,000
Public Infrastructure/ Access $223,000
Florence center wheelchair curb cuts: $175,000
Update wheelchair curb cuts across the City to become ADA compliant: $28,000
Soft costs for sidewalk repair in the low, moderate-income area: $20,000
Public Services
Social Service Programs totaled $82,075
Housing $173,175
Affordable housing soft costs: $90,000
The apartment complex will have units brought up to ADA compliance, and certain elements will be
rehabilitated: $83,175
Economic Development
Micro-Enterprise assistance for Northampton micro-enterprises: $25,000
Fostering Immigrant Economic Independence $11,000
Youth & Workforce Development Programs $11,000
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Administration and Planning
The City will allocate $138,767 to administer the CDBG Program and Housing and Community
Development activities.
Total Program Year Budget
CDBG 2020 Award: $683,764
Estimated Carry-Over Funds: $183,141
Total: $866,905.67
3. Evaluation of past performance
This is an evaluation of past performance that helped lead the grantee to choose its goals or
projects.
The 2020-2021 CDBG Program Year successfully addressed a myriad of City community development
goals and responded to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All of our grantees had to change their
operating procedures and programs to operate in an effective and safe manner. The City successfully
gave out $125,000 in small business grants to 23 businesses. This allowed them to pivot their businesses
in response to COVID-19. Public services promoting housing stability, food security, economic
empowerment, and improved health were delivered efficiently and compassionately to hundreds of
Northampton residents. The Housing Rehabilitation Program administered through PVPC continued to
operate by improving the homes of income-eligible residents for years to come. Additionally, the City
took ownership of two lots from the state that were identified in previous plans that the City would sell
to an affordable housing developer to construct an estimated three single-family affordable homes on
one lot and 22 affordable housing rental units on the other lot.
Valley CDC and its partner Way Finders completed the renovation and addition of 16 units to the 15 unit
Sergeant House SRO at 82 Bridge Street. The building was able to lease out all the rooms just in time for
the cold weather for the 2020-2021 winter and peak COVID-19 season. This project leveraged CPA
dollars, as well as private bank financing and LIHTC funds. This renovation addressed structural defects,
worn elements, lack of energy efficiency, and lack of accessibility. The post-construction building
comprised of 31 small studio units will house individuals previously experiencing or at risk of
houselessness as well as a variety of low and moderate-income persons. While Valley CDC and Way
Finders completed the lease-up process for their other affordable apartments at The Lumber Yard last
year, they continue to look for opportunities to create affordable housing options.
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With the support of Valley CDC, the Community Builders is constructing 12 affordable rental units for 35
Village Hill Road and constructing 53 affordable and workforce housing rental units at Village Commons,
which received its full financing last year. Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity has completed
construction on three of the four homes on the Glendale Road project. They are nearing completion on
the last house. The common driveway that was built with CDBG funds serves lots 2, 3 & 4. They are
almost done with billing for the grant. This project would create four energy-efficient, affordable
homeownership opportunities for people unable to access the market otherwise.
4. Summary of Citizen Participation Process and consultation process
Summary from citizen participation section of plan.
Citizen input is an ongoing process throughout the year, and the first public meeting regarding the CDBG
Action Plan for 2021-2022 was held on February 17, 2021, via Zoom video meeting software. The
Community Development Planner regularly attends the monthly meetings of the Northampton Housing
Partnership, the Next Step Collaborative informal working group, the Disabilities Commission, and the
Community Preservation Committee – which are settings for the sharing and exchange of information.
These committees were reached out to for input regarding the regular entitlement grant and CARES Act
funding. All meetings are advertised per open meeting laws, are open to the public, and until stay-at-
home orders are lifted, will be occurring over Zoom. Speech-to-text software was made available for
those with hearing impairments. Accommodations will be made to ensure people with mobility
challenges can attend the meetings when the City is allowed to meet in person again.
The Public Services Review Committee was convened, with members from the Disability Commission,
Human Rights Commission, City Council, and two residents who work in the social services and homeless
advocacy fields. This committee reviewed all applications, scored them according to unique criteria,
interviewed candidates, and made recommendations to the Mayor on funding amounts. The
Community Development Planner sat in on the meetings, taking notes and facilitating discussion.
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 attached public participation documents for full transcript.
6. Summary of comments or views not accepted and the reasons for not accepting them
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All public input was received through the Citizen Participation process of this Action Plan that was taken
into consideration. No comments were ignored.
7. Summary
The City of Northampton is committed to helping low- and moderate-income people and other
vulnerable populations most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and other economic
conditions.
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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 NORTHAMPTON 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 of Planning & Sustainability. Staffing
consists of the Community Development Planner and the Grants Administrator, who manages the fiscal responsibilities of the program. The
entire process is overseen by the Director of Planning & Sustainability.
Consolidated Plan Public Contact Information
Keith Benoit, Community Development Planner | City of Northampton | (413) 587-1288 | kbenoit@northamptonma.gov
Teresa Brockriede, Grants Administrator | City of Northampton | (413) 587-1286 | tbrockriede@northamptonma.gov
Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning & Sustainability | City of Northampton | (413) 587-1265 | wfeiden@Northamptonma.gov
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AP-10 Consultation – 91.100, 91.200(b), 91.215(l)
1. Introduction
Northampton's community development strategy is informed by extensive local and regional
collaboration. Below is a list of organizations that the City regularly interacts with: Western MA Network
to End Homelessness: Regional network comprised of western MA counties formed to implement 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. 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 COC: Quarterly Board
meetings focus on uniform assessment, coordinated entry, Homeless Management Information System
data collection, and analysis, McKinney funded homelessness programming and planning. Community
Action of Pioneer Valley took over collaborative applicants in 2019 from Hilltown CDC. Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission: Quarterly meetings of the Regional Housing Plan Implementation Committee.
Networking venue for those involved in preserving and creating affordable 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 people as
opposed to incarceration. Cot Management Program: Monthly meetings from Oct. to May at Edwards
Church with Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Board members and community volunteers in
conjunction with ServiceNet, Inc. to oversee shelter operation. Valley CDC / Way Finders: 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
informal 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 community's housing needs, following the implementation
plan articulated in the 2019 Mayo Work Group Study Report on Panhandling and the 2011 Housing
Needs Assessment and Strategic Housing Plan. The partnership comprises a landlord, Community Legal
Aid attorney, Housing Authority tenant, Smith College faculty, housing advocates, Planning Board chair,
clergy, and interested citizens. REACH meetings: Regional Engagement and Assessment for Chronically
Homeless sessions held weekly with relevant service providers coordinate case management and
housing placements for those in need of housing and services, utilizing the by-name list and the
coordinated entry system. Mayor's Office: Monthly meetings with Mayor, Mayor's Chief of Staff,
Director of Planning and Sustainability, to ensure a coordinated City community development program.
Community Resilience Hub working group: Ad hoc working group, meeting as needed at key decision
points of public service agencies, City departments, and others working on the space planning and
programming for the planned Hub.
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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 Housing Partnership hosts the Valley Community Development Corporation (CDC), Friends of
Hampshire County Homeless Individuals, The Community Builders, Habitat for Humanity, the
Northampton Housing Authority, the Center for Human Development (CHD), 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 development and what resources might be needed to
provide on-site support services. A meeting was held in 2018 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 attends the Valley CDC
provider meetings to identify how the City can be of service to their housing stabilization efforts. Mental
health professionals and clinicians attend those meetings. The SRO Outreach Coordinator, the Veterans
Agent, Veteran's Administration caseworkers, 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 (Domestic Violence), 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.
Community Action Pioneer Valley runs the Three County Rural Continuum of Care (CoC). They look to
enhance the HMIS data collection, analysis, and dissemination, creation of the coordinated entry
system, and production and adoption of CoC policies and procedures. Successful annual funding
submissions have kept the regions transitional and permanent supportive housing resources in place.
Community Action has increased membership, board, and committee involvement to end homelessness
in the Three County area. In 2019, the Three County CoC was awarded a youth homelessness
demonstration program for Franklin County and underwent an eight-month community planning period
to effect a coordinated community plan for ending youth homelessness. The CoC was awarded $1.9
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million for a two-year demonstration period to fund projects to respond to the need. These projects
begin in the fall of 2020, increasing the CoC total annual funding capacity to over $2.7 million annually.
In 2020, the CoC increased community effort in the annual point in time count and had demonstrated an
increase in the homeless population in our communities. There were 50 unsheltered individuals and
counted on one night in January 2021.
The CoC utilizes both their own 5 committees (project ranking & evaluation, data & evaluation, equity &
inclusion, coordinated entry, and the youth action board) with 50 current members and facilitated by
CoC program staff and the committee structure of the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness
(WMNEH). The WMNEH addresses population-specific needs through the Individual Services
Committee, the Family Services Committee, the Veteran's Services Committee, and the Unaccompanied
Youth Committee. The Network also provides a Career Services Committee. All committees meet
monthly and are organized and facilitated by the Network Coordinator, who will work closely with the
CoC Coordinator. The Community Development Planner participates on the Project Ranking Committee.
The Three County CoC also partnered this year with the WMNEH to create a racial equity working group.
In consultation with Jo, Consulting provides leadership and community training in racial equity, serves
the LGBTQ community, and provides our funded projects with equity training for housing programs.
The Center for Human Development (CHD) took over responsibility as the primary provider of
permanent supportive housing units through the Continuum from ServiceNet, Inc in 2019. The
McKinney award of roughly $700,000 each year provides subsidies for 48 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 and be a vital partner in the Coordinated Entry process to house our homeless neighbors. In
total, the Continuum currently funds 180 beds between transitional housing and Permanent Supportive
Housing programs. The City looks forward to continuing its close collaboration with both agencies
moving forward. During the peak of Covid in Northampton in Spring 2020 and then Fall, Winter, Spring
2020-2021, to reduce the risk of Covid transmission at existing emergency shelters, the City of
Northampton, working with ServiceNet, took over first the Northampton High School and then First
Churches as a homeless emergency shelter and day program.
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 ESG (Emergency Solutions Grants
Program) entitlement communities. ESG funding for the CoC is allocated by the State's Department of
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Housing and Community Development through a competitive process. As part of the CoC governance
structure, the CoC engages in an annual discussion about the funding priorities and supports
applications for funds from appropriate agencies for activities that address the identified priorities. In
the past few years, funds have been allocated for prevention efforts, and this year our ESG providers
hope to apply for additional funding for Rapid Rehousing.
The Collaborative Applicant for the Continuum of Care has had a data committee focused on the HMIS
system and the LSA submissions, which have involved codifying the Homeless Management Information
System (HMIS). Community Action has recently made our current HMIS system more effective with the
coordinated entry and by-name lists that HUD is requiring. With DHCD's assistance, we were able to
create a working By Names List in the HMIS, which is used for most of our data collection. This
eliminates the need for each agency to maintain and share their own lists of people who have been
assessed for the coordinated entry system and enter them in the HMIS since we can now obtain the
information directly from the system. We are also making progress in engaging veteran service providers
in the coordinated entry system. We have had our data warehouse, Green River, build out the
coordinated entry vulnerability assessment in the warehouse, which will allow VA caseworkers to
conduct assessments for their participants residing in Soldier On Grant Per Diem beds.
Our Coordinated Entry system capacity has increased extensively as well over the last few years. The
City is working to increase the number of agencies involved in performing vulnerability assessments. We
hold case conferencing meetings with homelessness service providers weekly in each county. We have
developed strong partnerships with organizations serving this vulnerable population, looking for housing
opportunities beyond CoC-funded resources. ESG partners are participating in utilizing the Coordinated
Entry process when housing resources are available as well.
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 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
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?
Center for New Americans was part of a stakeholders meeting where resettlement
between the neighboring towns, affordable housing access, regional housing,
barriers such as transportation, and mental health were all discussed. Solutions
offered were getting more in-person consolation (helpful for language barriers),
piggybacking on other services, better coordination between agencies, rent
control, and looking into the circles of care model.
2 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
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?
A group of city government employees including the Mayor, Mayor's chief of staff,
Director of Planning & Sustainability, ADA coordinator, Senior Services staff, and
members of the Community Legal Aid. They discussed the relationship between
affordability and protected classes, voucher programs, maintenance issues, multi-
family housing, market-rate housing, and the regional effect. Solutions suggested
were creating fewer gaps in PVTA routes, getting more funding for housing,
working at a greater regional level, allowing more flexibility in the zoning, and
creating a bigger investment community. The need to respond to the COVID-19
pandemic and the effects on the City's homeless population and low- and
moderate-income people.
3 Agency/Group/Organization Community Action Pioneer Valley
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Children
Services-Health
Services-Education
Services-Employment
Service-Fair Housing
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?
The Community Development Planner held a listening session where the
Community Action, Way Finders, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, and Valley
CDC discussed housing affordability, barriers to affordability, housing subsidies, a
development that would be coming online over the next several years,
maintenance issues in housing complexes, concentrations of poverty, housing
discrimination, and job training. Solutions discussed were pre-applications,
creating an online housing platform, coordinated entry, getting more bilingual
staff at housing agencies, and coordinating condos through one nonprofit agency.
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4 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 Community Development Planner had a listening session with Community
Legal Aid, Inc. and Amherst Housing Authority to discuss several topics related to
affordable housing, issues with lead abatement strategies, ADA accessibility,
working with mental health providers in the context of housing, and family
housing. Several solutions were discussed, such as tenants having access to
Tenancy Preservation Program through the State, meeting with landlords more
regularly, giving interest-free loans to people wishing to delead their homes, and
having a more robust rental registration program.
5 Agency/Group/Organization PIONEER VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
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?
The Community Development Planner held a listening session where the
Community Builders, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, and Valley CDC
discussed housing affordability, barriers to affordability, housing subsidies, a
development that would be coming online over the next two years, maintenance
issues in housing complexes, concentrations of poverty, housing discrimination,
and job training. Solutions discussed were pre-applications, creating an online
housing platform, coordinated entry, getting more bilingual staff at housing
agencies, and coordinating condos through one nonprofit agency.
6 Agency/Group/Organization Northampton Housing Authority
Agency/Group/Organization Type PHA
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Public Housing Needs
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 Northampton Housing Authority took part in a meeting with other housing
authorities. Topics discussed were the issues with mobility, low housing stock,
landlord relationships. Lack of bilingual staff at agencies, housing voucher
programs, mental health, grievances, and housing discrimination. Solutions
discussed were creating a regional plan, creating vouchers for homeless people,
getting more staff and money for various programs, and creating a central housing
database that is easier to navigate.
7 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?
Non-Homeless Special Needs
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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?
Clients of Safe Passages had interviews with members of PVPC as a way to help
understand the experience of protected classes. The need for transitional housing
for families experiencing domestic violence was identified. In consultation with
service providers, City staff is looking into what can be done to accomplish this.
8 Agency/Group/Organization Valley Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Economic Development
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The Community Development Planner held a listening session where the Valley
CDC, Community Builders, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, and members of
Valley CDC discussed housing affordability, barriers to affordability, housing
subsidies, a development that would be coming online over the next two years,
maintenance issues in housing complexes, concentrations of poverty, housing
discrimination, and job training. Solutions discussed were pre-applications,
creating an online housing platform, coordinated entry, getting more bilingual
staff at housing agencies, and coordinating condos through one nonprofit agency.
9 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
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 Community Development Planner held a meeting where several area service
providers were present. ServiceNet, Inc. Community Action, Cooley Dickinson
representatives and community advocates were in attendance. They discussed the
issues surrounding CORI checks to access housing, looking into "self-sufficient"
program like they have in Holyoke, issues with Northampton Housing Association
website, fixed income renters, upfront rentals costs, difficult applications process
for housing, issues with using Section 8, and training formerly homeless people
how to pay bills, maintain their apartment, etc. Solutions discussed were using the
bank as rep payee, increasing landlord outreach, helping with move-in costs, and
the need for more housing.
10 Agency/Group/Organization Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services-Persons with HIV/AIDS
Services-Health
Health Agency
Major Employer
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
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 Hospital runs "A Positive Place," a confidential and
comprehensive AIDS treatment facility in Northampton. Representatives from
there took part in a meeting discussing pre-screening of housing candidates,
waiting lists for housing, difficulty in housing sex-offenders, private rental
agencies, and mental health issues in housing. Solutions offered were to using the
banks as a payee, educate residents on different programs, offering tax
abatements for Section 8 housing, and creating more housing.
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11 Agency/Group/Organization Amherst Housing Authority
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
PHA
Services - Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
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 Community Development Planner had a listening session with the Amherst
Housing Authority to discuss several topics related to affordable housing, issues
with lead abatement strategies, ADA accessibility, working with mental health
providers in the context of housing, and family housing. Several solutions were
discussed, such as tenants having access to Tenancy Preservation Program
through the State, meeting with landlords more regularly, giving interest-free
loans to people wishing to delead their homes, and having a more robust rental
registration program.
12 Agency/Group/Organization CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SPRINGFIELD, MASS
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Service-Fair Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
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?
Catholic Charities was part of a stakeholders meeting where resettlement
between the neighboring towns, affordable housing access, regional housing,
barriers such as transportation, and mental health were all discussed. Solutions
offered were getting more in-person consolation (helpful for language barriers),
piggybacking on other services, better coordination between agencies, rent
control, and looking into the circles of care model.
13 Agency/Group/Organization THE COMMUNITY BUILDERS
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Employment
Housing Nonprofit
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
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 Community Development Planner held a listening session where the
Community Builders, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, and other providers
discussed housing affordability, barriers to affordability, housing subsidies, a
development that would be coming online over the next two years, maintenance
issues in housing complexes, concentrations of poverty, housing discrimination,
and job training. Solutions discussed were pre-applications, creating an online
housing platform, coordinated entry, getting more bilingual staff at housing
agencies, and coordinating condos through one nonprofit agency.
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14 Agency/Group/Organization PIONEER VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Service-Fair Housing
Regional organization
Planning organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
Homelessness Strategy
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?
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission conducted stakeholder interviews with
several area organizations. Topics discussed were: Northampton Housing
Authority, RentNoHo website (rental agency), regional collaboration for housing
and ADA coordination, private landlord training, renter training, language barriers
for housing, public transportation, accessibility at housing units and public
infrastructure, and the availability of housing stock.
15 Agency/Group/Organization Pioneer Valley Workers Center
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Service-Fair Housing
Local Nonprofit
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?
Pioneer Valley Workers Center was part of a stakeholders meeting where
resettlement between the neighboring towns, affordable housing access, regional
housing, barriers such as transportation, and mental health were all discussed.
Solutions offered were getting more in-person consolation (helpful for language
barriers), piggybacking on other services, better coordination between agencies,
rent control, and looking into the circles of care model.
16 Agency/Group/Organization Easthampton Council on Aging
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Transportation
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The Easthampton Council on Aging met with local and regional housing
authorities. Topics discussed were the issues with mobility, low housing stock,
landlord relationships. Lack of bilingual staff at agencies, housing voucher
programs, mental health, grievances, and housing discrimination. Solutions
discussed were creating a regional plan, creating vouchers for homeless people,
getting more staff and money for various programs, and creating a central housing
database that is easier to navigate.
17 Agency/Group/Organization HOLYOKE HOUSING AUTHORITY
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
PHA
Services - Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
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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 Holyoke Housing Authority met with other local and regional housing
authorities. Topics discussed were the issues with mobility, low housing stock,
landlord relationships. Lack of bilingual staff at agencies, housing voucher
programs, mental health, grievances, and housing discrimination. Solutions
discussed were creating a regional plan, creating vouchers for homeless people,
getting more staff and money for various programs, and creating a central housing
database that is easier to navigate.
18 Agency/Group/Organization Stavros
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Children
Services-Elderly Persons
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Service-Fair Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
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?
Stavros met with the Northampton Disability commission to talk about housing
and ADA issues. Topics discussed were fair housing, Section 8 vouchers, lack of
training for residents, rental prices, and stigmas associated with various housing
types, and policies of Northampton Housing Authority. Recommendations made
making a law for landlords to require reasonable accommodations, creating
information sessions for residents, having better communication between housing
and service providers, and changing the zoning to accommodate more units.
19 Agency/Group/Organization Way Finders, Inc.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
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What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization
was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of
the consultation or areas for improved coordination?
The Community Development Planner held a listening session where the
Community Action, Way Finders, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, and Valley
CDC discussed housing affordability, barriers to affordability, housing subsidies, a
development that would be coming online over the next two years, maintenance
issues in housing complexes, concentrations of poverty, housing discrimination,
and job training. Solutions discussed were pre-applications, creating an online
housing platform, coordinated entry, getting more bilingual staff at housing
agencies, and coordinating condos through one nonprofit agency.
20 Agency/Group/Organization SPRINGFIELD HOUSING AUTHORITY
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
PHA
Services - Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by
Consultation?
Housing Need Assessment
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 Community Development Planner had a listening session with the Springfield
Housing Authority Director to discuss several topics related to affordable housing,
issues with lead abatement strategies, ADA accessibility, working with mental
health providers in the context of housing, and family housing. Several solutions
were discussed, such as tenants having access to Tenancy Preservation Program
through the State, meeting with landlords more regularly, giving interest-free
loans to people wishing to delead their homes, and having a more robust rental
registration program.
Identify any Agency Types not consulted and provide rationale for not consulting
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All agencies determined to have relevant input into the creation of this plan were consulted.
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
Pioneer Valley
Creation of permanent supported housing units and housing support services. Homelessness
prevention, housing stabilization to reduce recidivism, increase services for mentally ill and those
abusing substances.
Unlocking
Opportunity: An
Assessment of
Barriers
PVPC
Identify the impediments to fair housing. Identify actions to remove impediments, thereby
creating housing opportunities that all people access, regardless of "disability, national origin, sex,
familial status, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, genetic
information, ancestry" or because they receive public benefits.
A Downtown
Northampton for
Everyone (2019)
Office of the
Mayor
Identify the need of panhandlers and at-risk individuals in downtown Northampton, including
stakeholder interviews. Research and analyze the issues associated with panhandling and make
non-punitive recommendations to help get people off the streets, seeking gainful employment,
and find housing.
Regional Housing Plan
(2015) PVPC
Identification of communities of opportunity that commit to creating affordable housing
facilitates movement from areas of concentration in Hampden County, primarily Springfield and
Holyoke, north and west.
Needs Assessment &
Strategic Housing Plan
(2011)
City of
Northampton
Creating a list of prioritized needs based on extensive data compilation and citizen input during
public participation sessions for plan development. Needs Assessment in Housing Plan very
thorough, provides direction for resource allocation for Community Preservation Committee and
Housing Partnership.
ADA Self-Evaluation
and Transition Plan
(2020))
Northampton
Disability
Commission
The needs of low- and moderate-income people and those with disabilities often overlap. The
Disability Commission identified several areas where the City can build institutional capacity and
fix specific non-accessible sidewalks, amenities, and buildings.
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Name of Plan Lead Organization How do the goals of your Strategic Plan overlap with the goals of each plan?
Increasing
Accessibility for
People w Disabilities
City of
Northampton
The needs of low- and moderate-income people and those with disabilities often overlap. This
report also identified areas within parks and recreation areas that are not accessible and
proposed possible solutions.
Table 3 – Other local / regional / federal planning efforts
Narrative (optional)
Goals are to:
• End chronic homelessness
• End homelessness among people of color
• End homelessness among Veterans
• Prevent and end homelessness for families, youth, and children
Performance Measures Include:
• Reduction in the length of time that people experience homelessness
• Reducing the number of people and families who are homeless
• Reduce the number of people and families that return to homelessness
• Job and income growth
Broadband Services & Connections: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) datasets on broadband coverage were analyzed for service
and connection availability. The City was 100% covered, both urban and rural areas; with four broadband service providers being identified.
Cost, however, was identified as a barrier to many low- and moderate-income people for accessing broadband. To further study this, the City
hired an independent consulting firm called Design Nine to determine through a feasibility study and survey if a municipal broadband network,
run by the City would be the best course of action to create a better, more reliable, and cheaper internet. If a municipal run network is deemed
feasible, this would start to narrow the digital divide. They survey is ongoing at this point.
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Municipal Resiliency: In 2019, the City started the process of determining its resiliency across many factors, as part of Northampton Climate
Resiliency and Regeneration Plan. The City brought together many stakeholders, as part of the Community Resilience Building Workshops, that
continued through the COVID-19 pandemic. The risks identified as being the most significant hazards in the City were flood, increased
temperatures, drought, and extreme weather.
Northampton faces three types of flood risk: 1.) The risk of riverine flooding from the Connecticut River, the Mill River, the Manhan River, and
unnamed streams in and beyond the floodplain; 2.) The risk of localized flooding when infiltration and the storm water system reaches
maximum capacity; and 3.) The risk of downtown flooding if floodwaters overtop the dike. Average annual temperatures in Northampton are
predicted to increase by 3°– 6°F by the 2050s, and by 4° – 9°F by the 2070s.
The City, as the principal zoning agent in the City and the agency overseeing the disbursement of federal funding for projects like housing and
infrastructure, is the primary responsible agent for the management of flood prone areas, public land, water resources, and emergency
management agencies. The City has made positive step to mitigate the risk of flooding to private residences, such as preserving the floodplain as
farmland, raising houses in the floodplain, and using ecosystem services, such as creating retention ponds uphill from river and streams. The
Emergency Management & Hazard Mitigation part of the plan makes explicit connections to new threats caused by climate change like extreme
temperatures as well as how historical hazards like flood risk are changing along with rainfall patterns. Having both plans reinforce each other
helps ensure that we take a comprehensive approach to improving resilience across all government functions.
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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 City held a public hearing for the 2021-2022 Action Plan, along with its regular Next Step Collaborative meetings, Housing Partnership
meetings and received Request for Proposals in a competitive application process to select public service grantees. All hearings and meetings
were publicly posted and open to everyone. All information gathered was taken into consideration for the selection of public facilities and
infrastructure projects as well as housing projects and public social services grants.
The input informed the community planning process by identifying strengths and weaknesses in the service delivery system. Targeting resources
and enhancing the collaborations needed to address the weaknesses and grow the strengths impacted the program year planning. City staff find
that emails followed up with appointments made for telephone interviews with targeted questions is highly effective. General public hearings
tend to be less well attended, although substantive discourse occurs in those settings as well.
City staff prefer presenting open ended questions and having round table discussions that evolve organically, as opposed to formal power point
presentations and limited interactive conversation. This approach works well with our City size and the universe of participants. The public
services grantees are monitored annually and those sessions present well utilized opportunities for detailed information sharing about the needs
of clients and how to address them moving forward.
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Citizen Participation Outreach
Sort Or
der
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)
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Sort Or
der
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)
Laurie Millman,
Executive
Director,
Center for New
Americans:
Discussed how
the students
have met over
Zoom during
the pandemic
and have
thrived.
Students meet
legislatures, get
drivers licenses,
and take free
English classes.
Judith Roberts,
Executive
Director, The
Literacy
Project:
Students work
toward high
school
equivalency
and get
stabilized in
their life
through
education.
People need
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Sort Or
der
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 Newspaper Ad
Non-
targeted/broa
d community
An ad was placed
in the Daily
Hampshire
Gazette
newspaper on
Monday March
29, 2021
informing
residents that
the draft action
plan was
available for
review, and that
public comments
were
encouraged.
Comments
would be
accepted for 30
days, until April
29, 2021.
No public
comments
were received.
There is no
summary, because
no comments
were received.
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Sort Or
der
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 Hearing
Minorities
Persons with
disabilities
Non-
targeted/broa
d community
Five people from
the
Northampton
community
showed up to
hear a
presentation
from the
Community
Development
Planner and the
Grant
Administrator on
the Draft 2021-
2022 Annual
Action Plan and
ask questions on
Resident Jesse
Hassinger
asked why the
recommendati
ons (e.g.
storage lockers,
access to public
drinking water)
from the
Mayor's
Panhandling
Report were
not
incorporated
into the action
plan as facilities
or public
services. Jesse
Hassinger also
said that it was
a shame that
the Community
Resiliency Hub
was not set up
before the
pandemic.
Resident and
downtown
business owner
Aimee Francaes
asked why so
much money
All comments
were received.
https://www.northamptonma.gov/20
83/CDBG-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
For this Year 2 Action Plan, the City of Northampton will use its entitlement funds to facilitate the implementation of priority projects as
established in the Consolidated Plan. City departments and public service agencies utilize many other funding sources to operate programs and
bring projects to fruition.
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 693,839 1,000 200,963 895,802 2,729,630
CDBG funds will be used for public facility
projects; economic development; housing
programs/projects; public service
programs; and planning activities and
administration of the grant.
Table 5 - Expected Resources – Priority Table
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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-City of Northampton CDBG funded projects requires other funding sources to implement the project. Community Preservation Act (CPA) is
often some of the first dollars in, especially for large projects with complicated funding streams. Eligible project types for CPA funds are open
space, recreation, affordable housing, and historic preservation.
Affordable housing applications to State and Federal funding sources require evidence of a local match. CDBG, Community Preservation Act
funds, tax increment housing, short-term rental taxes, donations of surplus city land, City limited development projects with cross-subsidies,
community contributions, and Smith College development mitigation funding provide local match sources.
Public facilities often have City budgeted Capital Improvement Program funds and private fundraising dollars, such as the Forbes Library Elevator
Accessibility project. Public infrastructure projects typically utilize State Chapter 90 funding and other grant sources. The City has also applied
and is awaiting the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) and other grants that the City is considering using for the
resiliency hub, but can be used for other preparedness activities, such as planning for mitigation and adaptation.
Public service grants use various other funding sources, such as FEMA, United Way, and private fundraising. Some of the CDBG public service
grantee awards are so small that their real value is to leverage other sources and show endorsement from the City of Northampton.
Continuum of Care helps with Supportive Housing and Shelter Plus Care programs. Expect level funding over the next four years. HOPWA funds
for A Positive Place help with HIV housing. The expected remaining amount is based on level funding over the next four years. A Positive Place
provides confidential and comprehensive HIV care and prevention in Hampshire County.
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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 has recently acquired a parcel of land on Woodland Drive for mixed-income housing. This would
be a small project with one or two affordable units and a market-rate house. The Director of Planning &
Sustainability took input from the Housing Partnership in the spring of 2020 concerning it. This may be
an opportunity for Habitat for Humanity, who the City has worked on several small developments in the
past.
The City has also taken ownership from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for two lots on Laurel
Drive and Burts Pit Road. The City is currently preparing the request for proposals so that the developers
begin to break ground soon. All of these parcels were in the process of being acquired during the last
program year.
The City is always looking to acquire parcels to create new affordable housing units and conserve land.
Discussion
The City will leverage CDGB funding with state grants, private grants, fundraising for a specific project,
and City funds. The City is committed to helping low- and moderate-income people by creating decent
and affordable housing and to ensure they have jobs. The City always seeks to use multiple sources of
funding to show their commitment and ensure the project's success.
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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
Table 6 – Goals Summary
Goal Descriptions
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1 Goal Name Public Services
Goal
Description
CDBG public services allocations are made to a variety of grantees. Service provision ranges from youth employment
readiness, mentoring at-risk youth, and literacy and language attainment.
The 10 projects being funded are as follows:
• The Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBSHC) Northampton Mentoring Program $11,564
• Fostering Immigrant Economic Independence $10,000
• Community Action: Community Advocacy Resources & youth Workforce Development $20,000
• Homeless Prevention Program $7,000
• Pathways to Success $9,000
• Service Net: Grove Street Inn & Interfaith Winter Shelters $20,0000
• Counseling and admin in support of downpayer assistance program $4,000
• Community Kitchen $9,000
• Emergency Food Pantry $12,000
• Total: $102,564
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2 Goal Name Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Goal
Description
Rental Housing, Homeownership Housing, and Preservation of Housing Tenancy for low- and moderate-income families,
individuals, and at-risk and special needs populations.
The City will continue to look for opportunities to rehabilitate houses for accessibility, code compliance, and emergency
repairs. Lead paint abatement is another project area due to the age of the housing stock and the possible impediment to
access for families with children. This was clearly identified in the impediments to fair housing study released last year.
Down payment assistance grants and staffing capacity for first-time homebuyer program. Educational workshops help to
inform first-time homebuyers about the responsibilities and need for financial literacy to avoid foreclosures. This has been an
ongoing program for several years and has been quite successful.
3 Goal Name Economic Development & Income Maximization
Goal
Description
Economic Development and Income Maximization, job retention and creation. Funds will be used to provide one-on-one
technical assistance and counseling to income eligible residents for business startups.
4 Goal Name Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Goal
Description
• Sidewalk wheelchair curb-cuts throughout Florence for handicap accessibility: $175,000
• Sidewalk soft costs: $20,000
• Playground at Hampshire Heights: $110,000
• Resiliency Hub: $66,785
• Cahill Ramps: $40,000
• McColgan Apts: $55,000
• Wheelchair curb cuts Citywide: $28,000
Other Category below = Public Facility or Infrastructure Activities other than Low-/Moderate-Income Housing Benefit
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5 Goal Name Planning and Administration
Goal
Description
CDBG planning and administration funds will be used over the course of the Program Year to operate the program.
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Projects
AP-35 Projects – 91.220(d)
Introduction
For the program year, July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022, the City of Northampton will receive $693,839 in
CDBG funds from the HUD. $200,963 unexpended funds from prior program years will be reallocated
and applied to projects moving forward. This Action Plan details 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. The individual costs are within each project in the following section.
Projects
# Project Name
1 Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program
2 Fostering Immigrant Economic Independence
3 Community Resources & Advocacy Services
4 Youth & Workforce Development Programs
5 Homeless Prevention Program
6 Pathways to Success
7 Grove Street Inn
9 First Time Homebuyer Counseling & Administration
12 Affordable Housing Acquisition
13 Affordable Housing Soft Costs
15 Florence Curb Cuts
16 Sidewalk Soft Cost
17 Hampshire Heights Playground - NHA
18 Community Resiliency Hub
19 Small Business Counseling Center
20 Planning & Administration
21 Housing Authority Accessibility Upgrades
22 Wheelchair Curb Cuts - Citywide
23 South Street Apartments Rehabilitation
Table 7 - Project Information
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Describe the reasons for allocation priorities and any obstacles to addressing underserved needs
The priorities were determined by who could address the needs of low- and moderate-income people
and those projects that would most benefit people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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AP-38 Project Summary
Project Summary Information
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1 Project Name Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program
Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $12,000
Description The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County (BBBSHC) Northampton
Mentoring Program will create and support quality mentoring
relationships for low-income children in Northampton. We address the
national objective of "creating a suitable living environment" by
providing activities that "benefit low and moderate income persons". The
project addresses basic needs (for youth and families), which are
identified in the City's Consolidated Plan's list of Public Service priorities.
The BBBSHC model is an evidence-based program for youth
development, drawing upon best practices for creating and supporting
mentoring relationships.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
25 low- and moderate-income families
Location Description City wide
Planned Activities The BBBSHC model is an evidence-based program for youth
development, drawing upon best practices for creating and supporting
mentoring relationships. We understand that in order to support our
matches and ensure success for these mentoring relationships, we must
understand the youth within the context of their family and the
community. Matches of mentors and mentees are made according to
numerous compatibility factors, and each potential match is reviewed by
both the case manager and program supervisor, and is first approved by
parent/guardians, Bigs, and Littles. Once a match is made the case
manager maintains ongoing contact with each party involved to ensure
that the match is successful and that any challenging issues are
addressed. Mentors and mentees meet 2-4 times per month for at least
one year
2 Project Name Fostering Immigrant Economic Independence
Target Area
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Goals Supported Economic Development & Income Maximization
Needs Addressed Economic Development
Funding CDBG: $11,000
Description Center for New Americans provides adult immigrants in the
Northampton community with free classes in English for Speakers of
Other Languages (ESOL). Classes include instruction in English,
technology, navigating U.S. systems, and career preparation. All students
are eligible for support from a career and education advisor who meets
with students individually and helps them to draft a career plan and
research and apply for jobs. The Center for New Americans also offer free
citizenship application assistance. All of these services are designed to
help immigrants attain economic self-sufficiency.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
55 low- and moderate-income individuals
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities Will offer free classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
Classes include instruction in civics, U.S. culture technology, and career
preparation. The program aligns with the City's Consolidated Plan, which
prioritizes addressing basic needs, such as language attainment, because
without proficiency in English. Immigrants, refugees, and migrants are
unable to access community resources, nor obtain living wage jobs.
3 Project Name Community Resources & Advocacy Services
Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Housing Support Services
Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $12,000
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Description Community Action Pioneer Valley will provide information, referrals,
access to income support, help with SNAP applications, health insurance
benefits, re-determinations, payment of past due bills, financial literacy
to prevent homelessness, and advocacy with other public benefit
systems. This program will allow for Community Action to pay rent for
qualified low- and moderate-income people on a short-term basis. They
will also determine eligibility for access to the Rental and Utility
Assistance Program for subsistence payments of up to 3 months 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
62 people of low- and moderate-income
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities Community Action Pioneer Valley will provide eviction prevention and
housing stabilization, emergency heating and/or utility assistance, basic
needs support, and youth employment support services in an integrated
way that responds to the multiplicity of needs experienced by
Northampton families and individuals experiencing financial crises.
4 Project Name Youth & Workforce Development Programs
Target Area
Goals Supported Economic Development & Income Maximization
Needs Addressed Economic Development
Funding CDBG: $11,000
Description Community Action Pioneer Valley project supports the Youth and
Workforce Development Program (YWDP) staffing costs for the recent
expansion of the Young Parents Program (YPP) to Hampshire County as
well as youth employment support staff, and provide support and
stabilization services to homeless or precariously housed youth. CR&A
and Y&WDP are currently located at the same site on 17 New South
Street, and both programs are set to move in June of this year to a more
visible location at 155 Pleasant Street where they will be co-located with
Way Finders, which administers the Residential Assistance for Families in
Transition (RAFT) program.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Annual Action Plan
2021
45
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
20 youth individuals from low- and moderate-income households
Location Description City wide
Planned Activities Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) will offer several programming
opportunities to Northampton youth to assist them in gaining skills,
setting goals, and achieving success in employment and education. The
project will primarily serve youth living in poverty and will assist them to
develop marketable skills and gain job- related experience that will
improve their chances of finding meaningful living-wage employment.
Young people will have the opportunity to participate in one or more of
the program options described below to meet their needs and help them
achieve their educational and occupational goals:
• Individual assessment and support
• Job readiness training
• Career pathway education
• Topical workforce development training
• Paid work-based learning experience
• Inter-program collaboration with CAPV Youth and Workforce
Development programs
5 Project Name Homeless Prevention Program
Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Funding CDBG: $7,000
Annual Action Plan
2021
46
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Description Community Legal Aid will run this ongoing project seeks to protect two
vulnerable populations in Northampton: (1) tenants who are at risk of
eviction (with a priority for tenants with subsidized housing) and (2)
participants in rental assistance programs (Section 8 and MRVP) who are
at risk of having their subsidy terminated. For low-income tenants with
subsidized housing, expert legal assistance at critical times in the eviction
and subsidy termination processes can preserve a precious commodity-
affordable rent-and can mean the difference between stability and
homelessness. Eviction and loss of a rent subsidy, alone or in
combination, often lead to homelessness and destabilization of families
and neighborhoods. In many cases, the loss of a housing subsidy
(through either eviction or subsidy termination by the administering
agency) is permanent, which frequently leads to homelessness as private
market rent in Northampton is often unaffordable for this low-income
population.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
20 low- and moderate-income people
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities This ongoing project seeks to protect two vulnerable populations in
Northampton: (1) tenants who are at risk of eviction (with a priority for
tenants with subsidized housing) and (2) participants in rental assistance
programs (Section 8 and MRVP) who are at risk of having their subsidy
terminated. For low-income tenants with subsidized housing, expert legal
assistance at critical times in the eviction and subsidy termination
processes can preserve a precious commodity-affordable rent-and can
mean the difference between stability and homelessness. Eviction and
loss of a rent subsidy, alone or in combination, often lead to
homelessness and destabilization of families and neighborhoods. In many
cases, the loss of a housing subsidy (through either eviction or subsidy
termination by the administering agency) is permanent, which
frequently leads to homelessness as private market rent in Northampton
is often unaffordable for this low-income population.
6 Project Name Pathways to Success
Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Annual Action Plan
2021
47
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $11,000
Description The Literacy Project (TLP) provides comprehensive Adult Basic Education
(ABE) services to adults and out-of-school youth age 16 and over to
develop college and career readiness as pathways to economic
opportunity and security. Services include : activities to increase
students' readiness for employment and post-secondary education and
training that are integrated into ABE classes offered at four levels (Basic,
Intermediate, High School Equivalency Preparation, and College
Readiness); individualized education and career advising with help for
meeting a student's specific challenges, and bringing Mass Hire Career
Center services to students in need of job search assistance. This on-
going program is essential to helping adult students with low literacy
skills increase their skill sets, obtain a high school credential, and
successfully move on to post-secondary education and careers.
Target Date 6/30/2022
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 TLP provides comprehensive Adult Basic Education (ABE) services to
adults and out-of-school youth age 16 and over to develop college and
career readiness as pathways to economic opportunity and security.
Services include: activities to increase students' readiness for
employment and post-secondary education and training that are
integrated into ABE classes offered at four levels (Basic, Intermediate,
High School Equivalency Preparation, and College Readiness);
individualized education and career advising with help for meeting a
student's specific challenges, and bringing Mass Hire Career Center
services to students in need of job search assistance. CDBG funds will
support instruction and education/career advising for 39 weeks. Total
staff time for two Instructors is 64 hours a week allocated as follows: 24
hours class time; 10 hours advising time; 30 hours for class preparation,
staff meetings, recordkeeping, and professional development
7 Project Name Grove Street Inn
Target Area
Annual Action Plan
2021
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OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Support for Emergency Shelter & Support Services
Funding CDBG: $20,000
Description The Grove Street Inn is a 21-bed emergency shelter serving homeless
individuals. Participants may stay up to 90 days. Staff provide on-site
services that support resident's efforts to rebuild their lives. The Grove
Street Inn operates 365 days a year from 4pm to 8am, Monday-Friday
and 24 hours on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Hours expand as
needed for weather emergencies.The Interfaith Winter Shelter (IFS) is a
20-bed emergency shelter sponsored by ServiceNet, Friends of the
Hampshire County Homeless, and the city of Northampton. The Interfaith
Shelter (IFS) operates from 6pm-7am daily starting on November 1st and
ending on April 30th.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
185 homeless individuals
Location Description 91 Grove Street Northampton, MA 01060
43 Center Street Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities The Grove Street Inn is a 21-bed emergency shelter serving homeless
individuals. Participants may stay up to 90 days. Staff provide on-site
services that support resident's efforts to rebuild their lives. The Grove
Street Inn operates 365 days a year from 4pm to 8am, Monday-Friday
and 24 hours on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Hours expand as
needed for weather emergencies.
The Interfaith Winter Shelter (IFS) is a 20-bed emergency shelter
sponsored by ServiceNet, Friends of the Hampshire County Homeless,
and the city of Northampton. The Interfaith Shelter (IFS) operates from
6pm-7am daily starting on November 1st and ending on April 30th.
8 Project Name First Time Homebuyer Counseling & Administration
Target Area
Goals Supported Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Needs Addressed Affordable Homeownership for Individual & Families
Funding CDBG: $20,075
Annual Action Plan
2021
49
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Description For those households ready to purchase a home, Valley CDCs services will
focus on long term planning towards individual and household financial
literacy and resources available to them to meet their goals and timeline.
Households will receive individualized financial education on affordable
homeownership including information and referral to HOME funded
homeownership assistance including new or re-sale HOME funded
affordable housing opportunities and state subsidized mortgage
products.They will also administer the First Time Home Buyers Grants
(four).
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
four low- and moderate-income households who are buying their first
house
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities Valley CDCs services will focus on long term planning towards individual
and household financial literacy and resources available to them to meet
their goals and timeline. Households will receive individualized financial
education on affordable homeownership including information and
referral to HOME funded homeownership assistance including new or re-
sale HOME funded affordable housing opportunities and state subsidized
mortgage products.
9 Project Name Affordable Housing Acquisition
Target Area
Goals Supported Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Needs Addressed Affordable Homeownership for Individual & Families
Funding CDBG: $10,000
Description The City of Northampton will use CDBG fund for the acquisition of
property that will be sold to an affordable housing developer to create
affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families. This project
will be paired with soft costs to develop low-income housing.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
3 low- and moderate-income families
Annual Action Plan
2021
50
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Location Description On the vacant or near vacant lots that the City will turn into low- and
moderate-income housing.
Planned Activities The City of Northampton will use CDBG fund for the acquisition of
property to develop into affordable homes for low- and moderate-
income families. This project will be paired with soft costs to develop
low-income housing.
10 Project Name Affordable Housing Soft Costs
Target Area
Goals Supported Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Needs Addressed Affordable Homeownership for Individual & Families
Funding CDBG: $80,000
Description The City of Northampton will pay for soft costs associated with
developing affordable homes for families such as infrastructure (curb
cuts, sewer installation, water pipes) and site preparation (tree removal,
grading, appraisals, etc.) on City owned property, to sell to an affordable
housing developer.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
20 low- and moderate-income families
Location Description At the parcels that the City has acquired and will require work.
Planned Activities The City of Northampton will pay for soft costs associated with
developing affordable homes for families such as infrastructure (curb
cuts, sewer installation, water pipes) and site preparation (tree removal,
grading, appraisals, etc.).
11 Project Name Florence Curb Cuts
Target Area
Goals Supported Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Needs Addressed Public Infrastructure
Funding CDBG: $175,000
Annual Action Plan
2021
51
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Description Design and installation of up to 12 handicap accessibility improvements
(wheelchair curb cuts) across Florence Center to bring them into
conformance with current Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and
American Access Board (AAB) standards for people with disabilities.
Some of which may fall into either environmental justice neighborhood
or within 1 mile of the elementary school.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
25 people with disabilities
Location Description Florence Village
Planned Activities Design and installation of wheelchair curb cuts across in Florence Center
to bring them into conformance with current Americans with Disabilities
(ADA) and American Access Board (AAB) standards.
12 Project Name Sidewalk Soft Cost
Target Area
Goals Supported Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Needs Addressed Public Infrastructure
Funding CDBG: $20,000
Description Pay for the appraisal and land acquisitions (friendly takings) for the land
needed for the sidewalk improvements in a low- and moderate-income
neighborhood as part of a Safe Routes to School project.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
25 low- and moderate-income families
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities Pay for the appraisal and takings for the land needed for the sidewalk
improvements in a low- and moderate-income neighborhood as part of a
Safe Routes to School project.
13 Project Name Hampshire Heights Playground - NHA
Target Area
Annual Action Plan
2021
52
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Goals Supported Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Needs Addressed Public Facilities
Funding CDBG: $110,000
Description Construction of a playground at a public housing facility.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
41 families low- and moderate-income families with children
Location Description Hampshire Heights Property, 241 Jackson Street, Northampton, MA
Planned Activities Construction of a playground at a public housing facility.
14 Project Name Community Resiliency Hub
Target Area
Goals Supported Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Needs Addressed Public Facilities
Funding CDBG: $66,785
Annual Action Plan
2021
53
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Description Costs associated with the acquisition, rehab, and consultation to create a
resiliency-hub to serve low- and moderate-income people and those
most vulnerable to crisis (pandemic, floods, etc.) and chronic stress
(homelessness, poverty, etc.) A public facility will be acquired for the
creation of a community resiliency hub, that will serve as office space for
public service agencies helping low- and moderate-income clientele
(LMC) such as homeless, people with disabilities, and front line
communities who are most affected by extreme events, such as weather
and the COVID-19 pandemic. This building will host several public service
agencies that receive CDBG money, whose own DOE is serving LMC
clients. Front line communities, those who experience extreme weather
events and other public health emergencies, like the COVID-19
pandemic; are the least able to respond to, prepare for, and recover
from the the impacts of these events. They are also much more likely to
be low- and moderate-income people. These communities also have a
higher incidence of co-morbidities such as obesity and asthma and will
need to use the 'cooling center' of hub for extreme heat. This could also
serve as a emergency shelter in the event of flooding or other event. This
space may also house storage lockers for homeless individuals, which
was a need identified in the the coordinated outreach for a working
group on downtown homeless population.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
250 homeless and low- and moderate-income people
Location Description 244 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities Costs associated with the acquisition, rehab, and consultation to create a
resiliency-hub to serve low- and moderate-income people and those
most vulnerable to crisis (pandemic, floods, etc.) and chronic stress
(homelessness, poverty, etc.).
15 Project Name Small Business Counseling Center
Target Area
Goals Supported Economic Development & Income Maximization
Needs Addressed Economic Development
Funding CDBG: $25,000
Annual Action Plan
2021
54
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Description Valley CDCs Small Business Counseling Center will offer a range of free
technical assistance, counseling and referral services to LMI small
business owners and entrepreneurs in Northampton. The core work of
Valleys staff with LMI clients includes business plan development,
financial projections, strategic marketing and use of social media, and
access to local, statewide and federal loan and grant funds available to
help them weather these most difficult times.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Jobs to be created: 18
Jobs to be retained: 22
Businesses to be assisted: 65
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities Valley CDCs Small Business Counseling Center will offer a range of free
counseling and referral services to LMI small business owners and
entrepreneurs in Northampton. The core work of Valleys staff with LMI
clients includes business plan development, financial projections,
strategic marketing and use of social media, and access to local,
statewide and federal loan and grant funds available to help them
weather these most difficult times.
16 Project Name Planning & Administration
Target Area
Goals Supported Planning and Administration
Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Housing Rehabilitation Resources
Housing for At - Risk & Special Needs Populations
Housing Support Services
Addressing Basic Needs
Public Facilities
Public Infrastructure
Funding CDBG: $138,767
Description Planning and administration of CDBG grants.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Annual Action Plan
2021
55
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities Planning and administration of CDBG grants.
17 Project Name Housing Authority Accessibility Upgrades
Target Area
Goals Supported Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Needs Addressed Public Facilities
Funding CDBG: $55,000
Description Installation of wheelchair accessible ramps at Cahill Apartments and
creating accessible bathrooms at two Northampton Housing Authority
properties(Millbank Apartments and Salvo House)Accessible bathrooms
updates include removal of existing tub and tub surround, regrade
flooring, and install tile role in shower. Installation includes new shower
fixtures and ADA toilet.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
26 households with disabilities
Location Description Cahill Apartments: 35 Fruit Street, Northampton, MA
Millank Apartments: 79 Michelman Ave., Northampton, MA
Salvo Apartments: 81 Conz Street, Northampton, MA
Planned Activities Installation of wheelchair accessible ramps (2-3) at Northampton Housing
Authority's Cahill Apartments.
Removal of inacessible showers and sinks to be replaced with ADA
accessible showers and sinks at two Northampton Housing Authority's
McColgan Apartments. Fix drainage in bathroom.
18 Project Name Wheelchair Curb Cuts - Citywide
Target Area
Goals Supported Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Needs Addressed Public Infrastructure
Annual Action Plan
2021
56
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Funding CDBG: $28,000
Description Installation of curb cuts throughout the City to bring them into
conformance with ADA.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
25 people with disabilities
Location Description Citywide
Planned Activities Installation of curb cuts throughout the City to bring them into
conformance with ADA.
19 Project Name South Street Apartments Rehabilitation
Target Area
Goals Supported Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Needs Addressed Preservation of Existing Affordable Rental Stock
Funding CDBG: $83,175
Description A low- and moderate-income apartment complex will bring one of the
apartments up to ADA and Massachusetts Architectural & Accessibility
Board (MAAB) compliance, replacing certain exterior doors, and updating
interior rehabilitation. Because this building is listed on the National
Registers of Historic Places, these replacements will be in compliance
with Mass. Historical Commission (MHC) and National Parks Service (NPS)
requirements.
Target Date 6/30/2022
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed activities
18 households
Location Description 22 New South Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities Home City Development will rehabilitate the 18 units, making one of
them accessible. Other rehabilitation activities will be making the
building more energy efficient, heating and hot water, removal of lead
and asbestos, and painting.
Annual Action Plan
2021
57
OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
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
The Northampton Housing Authority worked closely with the residents of their Hampshire Heights
community over several months to determine the resident's needs and wants. Those open
conversations became the planning process for their request for funding for CDBG funds to create a
playground on their property. A member of that group, who is a resident of public housing, also sits on
the Housing Partnership board and worked closely on the application. Because of the low-income status
of all the households at the property and the constrained budget at Northampton Housing Authority, it
was clear that they were a perfect fit for CDBG funding.
Funds were allocated to needs that were identified from citizen participation and data analysis during
the Consolidated Plan preparation and each year for the Annual Action Plans. The Analysis of
Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing was be completed in 2019 and was used to prepare this Acton Plan.
Both those planning efforts have yielded new areas of need where funding should be directed.
According to the Analysis of Impediments, none of Northampton's racial groups experience moderate or
high levels of segregation which is the distribution of any two groups across census tracts. Census tracts
of more than 20% minority population are defined as areas of minority concentration. Using the AI,
there were three tracts identified in Northampton: 8216.01, 8216.02, and 8220. These all have the
presence of multi-family housing run by the Northampton Housing Authority such as, Hampshire Heights
(80 units) and Florence Heights (50). Meadowbrook Apartments (252) also contains racially and
ethnically diverse resident populations
Geographic Distribution
Target Area Percentage of Funds
Table 8 - Geographic Distribution
Rationale for the priorities for allocating investments geographically
The Northampton Housing Authority has limited funding to fix or install new infrastructure, but they
have capacity to carry out grants. They were chosen for the playground project because they
demonstrated a need through a highly engaged public planning process with their residents. The
residents of that property would benefit the most, but the need is equally as great.
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 particular areas, to reach populations that face more challenges
Annual Action Plan
2021
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OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
than the community at large, however. Therefore, there is no geographic targeted area.
Properties participating in the Housing Rehab Program have been served on a first come first served
basis. Their locations have been 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
According to the Fair Housing Equity Assessment (FHEA) in the 2019 AI, communities in the region
should be 70/30 white/people of color. Northampton’s population is 81% white and 19% people of
color. As identified in the AI, Northampton needs to attract and retain thousands of people of color to
balance out this disparity.
Annual Action Plan
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OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
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 55
apartments at the Lumber Yard Apartments created in 2019. The bulk of the applications were from
those with the lowest income levels. Renters looking to be housed at the Live 155 development 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 618 public housing affordable units in
Northampton. They consist of 110 federal and 508 state funded, and they have 871 leased housing
program 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 pipe line. 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 as of July 2020), the Northampton Teen Housing Project (8), 214 unit
have been added in the last few years.
One Year Goals for the Number of Households to be Supported
Homeless 285
Non-Homeless 83
Special-Needs 0
Total 368
Table 9 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Requirement
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OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
One Year Goals for the Number of Households Supported Through
Rental Assistance 48
The Production of New Units 23
Rehab of Existing Units 0
Acquisition of Existing Units 0
Total 71
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 (100) and the Hampshire County Interfaith Winter Shelter (210, up ten
from last year) , 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 20 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 of the following
that they will issues in 2020: VASH (50), Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (45), and mainstream
vouchers (15). The numbers administered by other Housing Authorities are not available.
The rehabilitation of existing units (18) is the proposed South Street Apartments project. There are no
units proposed for acquisition or construction during this current 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 following
program year, depending on what is allowed for with COVID restrictions.
Federal Properties:
McDonald House - Elevator replacement Phase II, Electrical Panel replacement in all units and basement.
Florence Heights – Replace Screen doors, sink vanities, and Floor in five units.
State Properties:
Salvo House – Carpet Installation on all floors in common area and lobby, and Power Washing of
Building
Hampshire Heights - Phase II of window replacements and playground installation
Cahill Apartments – Basement Door Installation
Bridge Street – Boiler Replacements
The NHA will continue to evaluate repair/rehabilitation or accessibility needs of their properties for
following program years.
Actions to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and
participate in homeownership
When homeownership and down payment assistance opportunities are presented, such as through the
Way Finder’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. 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.
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OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
The NHA launched a website in August of 2019 which has 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 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.
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 NHA received CDBG funding to accomplish handicap accessibility enhancements at several NHA
properties. Florence Heights was examined for possible outdoor opportunities and other NHA properties
were being considered for installation of playground equipment or public garden expansion. The NHA
has created a website since the last Consolidated Plan where all of their properties are listed and
information such as Section 8 vouchers can be found.
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AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities – 91.220(i)
Introduction
The City works closely with many services providers through its Next Step Collaborative meetings,
Housing Partnership, planning for the resiliency-hub, and from knowledge built through reports like the
Mayor's working group on panhandling. All these efforts have informed the City's actions for this
program year towards ending homelessness in the City.
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. They are 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 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 in 2018 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
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sometimes need to access areas that have been blocked off for conservation purposes. DPW personnel
have to 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 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. The Office of Planning & Sustainability regularly cleans up
sites and updated services providers on camp activity. The City will support the use of lockers for
homeless individuals to store personal items in.
Tapestry Health, the regional organization that has a needle exchange program and services in the City,
supports sharps pickups from homeless encampments, and supports street harm reduction activities.
They have been an important voice at the Mayor's Panhandling Report (2019) which has cataloged
existing services and promote dialog between service providers, the business community, law
enforcement and those engaging in street activity.
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 has to 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
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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 and 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.
The first meeting of the Next Step Collaborative held in September always begins the analysis of shelter
capacity. Numbers of people living outside are accounted for, in order to gauge bed capacity for shelter.
Regionally, the Worthington Street Shelter in Springfield is always at or exceeding capacity, the
Samaritan Inn in Westfield has strict admission requirements and is also usually full. The numbers of
people from Hampden County being sheltered in Hampshire County increase yearly, so an emergency
shelter in Holyoke would be an asset to the region. The Hampden Continuum of Care, under the
leadership of the Springfield Housing Director, began to place McKinney funded permanent supported
housing units for the chronically homeless in Holyoke, which is a much-needed development.
The City’s Community Development Planner facilitated a meeting in 2019 to brainstorm the
development of a Safe Havens model in Northampton. Several small projects in existing homes housing
4-6 participants each. This would further the City’s goals of creating a true Housing First model.
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
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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 of 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, in order 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 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.
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, sufficient 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
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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 this year. 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
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 was completed in 2019 and provides four
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
The Community Development Planner coordinates 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 with
regard to the production of new units, which is the key to successful movement for people working to
exit homelessness.
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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
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 in Greenfield, which has 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 several newly created affordable housing units in Northampton, none function as true housing first
units. This would mean meeting people where they are - with less than stellar landlord histories, active
addiction issues, poor credit, and other challenges. Those are the units the City still needs to create, in
order to accomplish any significant movement of people out of the emergency shelter system. Tenant
selection policies, multiyear waiting lists, and insufficient incomes to afford "affordable" housing, remain
huge obstacles to truly addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The City needs 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 the 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" was
completed in summer 2019 by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in consultation with the
Northampton Housing Partnership. Along with the Community Development Planner, this group
successfully assembled and facilitated 10 stakeholder sessions, four focus groups, a lively public session,
and 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 have been 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, 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 has worked closely with the Office of Planning & Sustainability to implement
any zoning revisions, such as creating multi-family units or two-family unit permissible by right in all
zoning districts. The City was able to get two-family allowed by right in the City.
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 held an educational session last fall for
local landlords to learn about support services available should they choose to house a Veteran with a
VASH voucher, or a person exiting homelessness. Building code issues, fair housing law and lead paint
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abatement information were also presented.
Discussion:
The City will work collaboratively with the Housing Partnership, Next Step Collaborative, and other sub-
committee to determine the next course of action. They will investigate how the actions steps created
from the assessment of barriers can be implemented in the next program year and leverage current
initiatives.
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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
people’s 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 insure that local government is an active and responsive partner in addressing obstacles
faced by people facing challenges.
In previous Action Plans, 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 housing first units, perhaps in congregate settings, like the old Safe Havens model will be
researched for following program years. At a meeting held by the Community Development Planner in
January of 2019, where over 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) is a $7 million project scheduled for completion in July 2020. The Lumber Yard
Project (55 units of affordable housing) was a $19 million project and Live 155 (70 units) for both
projects that finished in the last few years. 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 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 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,
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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.
Community Support Options (CSO) is 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.
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 ensure 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 Community Development Planner and the
Housing Partnership. Work was done last year to try to preserve affordability at Leeds Village
Apartments. Previously, City staff worked with the Holyoke Housing Authority to assign 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 in spring 2018; the Lumber Yard
Apartments (55 units/$200,000 CDBG) opened in June of 2019; the Friends of the Homeless-Dial/Self
Teen Housing Project for unaccompanied homeless youth was completed and had 8 units available for
fall 2019 ($65,000 CDBG); Village Hill North (53 units/$150,000 CDBG) is fully funded and under
construction, with expected completion in November 2021 ; 35 Village Hill Road (12 units) is fully funded
and under construction, with expected completion in May 2021. Construction is complete on the
renovation/expansion of the Sergeant House SRO (31 units/$150,000 CDBG). Three of the four new
homes being produced by Habitat for Humanity have been completed and occupied, with the final
expected to be completed in late 2021 ($135,000 CDBG).
The City is looking at acquiring parcels that could potentially allow for several affordable housing units,
but the actual construction would not be for additional program years.
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Actions planned to reduce lead-based paint hazards
The City's Housing Rehabilitation Program includes 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. It will be run by PVPC or Community Action, both qualified to
carry out the program.
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 de-leading. The public education
campaign that resulted from the Analysis of Impediments report addressed increasing information
dissemination about this illegal practice. The Community Development Planner will research how to
leverage EPA grants for de-leading homes with other sources of funding.
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 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
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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 CDBG
Director and 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 on line,
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 Community
Development Planner 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, a Smith College
professor, the Chair of the Planning Board 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 recently by the addition of the Chair of the Planning Board as a full member on the
Housing Partnership; a requirement by the Community Preservation Committee that all housing
proposals be vetted first by the Housing Partnership; the presence of a Housing Partnership member on
the Technical Review Committee 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 NHA.
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 NHA 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 everyone. The Coordinator will work on budgeting, life skills,
and income maximization to assist residents with housing stabilization. Property managers support the
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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).
The City will continue to support and the sessions between the Valley CDC and Way Finders 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.
Way Finders manages the Lumber Yard Apartments and the Sergeant House for Valley CDC. 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 Way Finders also
work in partnership to develop, own, and manage affordable housing for the City and region.
The City will continue to work with the NHA’s Resident Services Coordinators to insure they are aware of
local resources to enhance self-sufficiency for their tenants. The NHA hired a RSC last year for
Hampshire Heights, in addition to Florence Heights, to serve the families in their public housing
developments, an exciting step forward. The City has found grant sources to install playground
equipment at Hampshire Heights, and construction should begin in summer 2020.
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:
The City does not have Section 108 loans, urban renewal settlements, lines of credit, float-funded
activities, or any other program income that has not been reprogrammed.
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. 100.00%
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The Plan details how funds expected from the 2020 grant (B-21-MC-25-0027) will be expended including
anticipated income from various loans of $1,000. This loan consists of a housing development loan
payment of $1,000 per year. Additional program income, if any, is unknown as it is dependent on
whether or not 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 a 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 the overall benefit from the program years 2019, 2020, 2021.
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Attachments
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Citizen Participation Comments
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Grantee SF-424's and Certification(s)
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