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2019-2020 Y36 AAP COVID Amendment v2 Annual Action Plan 2019 1 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) The City is amending the Action Plan from 2019 to meet the urgent needs of low- and moderate-income residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, and avoid job losses caused by business closures. Executive Summary AP-05 Executive Summary - 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b) 1. Introduction The City of Northampton is pleased to submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Year 5 of the City's Five Year Consolidated Plan for 2015-2020. For the program year, July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020, the City will receive $670,267 for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. This document outlines how the City will allocate and expend these funds. The City is committed to working with community partners to assist those most in need. Included in the Attachments is a sampling of the myriad of activities occurring locally and regionally to further the goals of addressing homelessness and creating safe, healthy, affordable, and accessible living environments for all. The City of Northampton (City) is pleased to submit to HUD this second amendment to its Year 5 Action Plan from the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan. The City is amending the Action Plan from 2019 to meet the urgent needs of low- and moderate-income residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, prevent further spread of COVID-19, and avoid job losses caused by business closures. The City will receive $646,052 in Cares Act funding. 2. Summarize the objectives and outcomes identified in the Plan This could be a restatement of items or a table listed elsewhere in the plan or a reference to another location. It may also contain any essential items from the housing and homeless needs assessment, the housing market analysis or the strategic plan. The City will allocate the funds as follows: Housing Activities: $445,905 • Homeownership Center - Valley CDC $33,000 for financial assistance to First Time Homebuyers Annual Action Plan 2019 2 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) • Housing Rehabilitation Program - Pioneer Valley Planning Commission $262,905 ($96,674 new year funds; $166,231 carried over from last year) • Village Hill Affordable Housing Projects - $150,000 (carried over from last year) for acquisition of parcel for development of rental units for families • May also include legal work from legal aid group to help with tenancy protection, court intervention, and mediation to preserve at-risk tenancies Public Facilities/Access: $456,824 • Property Improvements/handicap accessibility improvements (4 sites) - Northampton Housing Authority $40,000 • Costs associated with the acquisition, rehab, and/or consultation to create a resiliency-hub to serve low- and moderate-income people and those most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather events, such as people experiencing homelessness, will use $416,824 in CV funding. This would be a day shelter, which the City will allocate an additional $1,450,000 of its own money towards. Public Infrastructure/Access $144,986 • 30 Sidewalk Wheelchair Ramps - $144,986 Economic Development $225,000 • Micro-Business Assistance Program and Special Economic Development Activities administered by Valley CDC ($25,000 CDBG entitlement, $20,000 CV funding) • Special Economic Development grants: $125,000 small business grants • Micro-Business Grants for businesses of less than five people that will be administered by the Office of Planning & Sustainability ($55,000 CV Funding) Public Services: $257,421 • 11 Social Service Programs $125,715 ( with $175.00 program income from prior year) • Storage lockers for people who are experiencing homelessness or those living out of the homeless shelter: run by a service agency or the City ($5,000 CV funding) • Emergency homeless services: Homeless site cleanup, clean up abandoned sites that are a threat to public health and safety, either hire outside vendor or pay City staff ($5,000 CV Funding) • Temporary emergency rental and utility arrears program for low- and moderate-income people for a period up to three consecutive months ($94,956 CV funding) Annual Action Plan 2019 3 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) • Emergency Food Pantry: Northampton Survival Center will distribute food to people who are food insecure ($20,000 CV Funding) • Food Insecurity Project: MANNA Soup Kitchen will provide hot meals to people who are food insecure ($5,000 CV Funding) • Literacy Project: Pathways to Success will provide adult basic education to adults for college and career readiness ($1,750 CV Funding) Administration and Planning: $178,325 • Administration of CDBG Program and Housing and Community Development activities using CF funding • Office of Planning & Sustainability will administer micro-enterprise grants CDBG 19 Award: $670,267 CV Funding: $646,052 Carry Over Funds:$461,583 Total: $1,708,461 3. Evaluation of past performance This is an evaluation of past performance that helped lead the grantee to choose its goals or projects. This is the second amendment to the 2019 Action plan during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in accordance with HUD CPD guidance, this section will not be updated. The 2018-2019 CDBG Program Year successfully addressed a myriad of City community development goals. The Housing Rehabilitation Program continued to operate smoothly, improving the homes of single-family income-eligible residents for years to come; the 82 Bridge Street project through Valley CDC saw the relocation of the existing tenants and the beginning of construction to convert the 15 existing units to enhanced SRO's with 16 units to be added in a new building addition; Valley CDC also celebrated the opening of the Lumber Yard Apartments and welcomed 55 residents into a beautiful new building in the heart of the downtown; Valley CDC and The Community Builders moved forward on the construction bids for the 12 units proposed for 35 Village Hill Road and submitted the One Stop Application to the State for the Village Hill North project (53 affordable rental units); Habitat for Humanity completed the final home at the Garfield Ave. development and started site work and housing construction on 4 lots at the Glendale Road site creating 5 energy-efficient affordable homeownership opportunities for people unable to access the market otherwise; and public services promoting housing Annual Action Plan 2019 4 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) stability, food security, economic empowerment, and improved health were delivered efficiently and compassionately to hundreds of Northampton residents. 4. Summary of Citizen Participation Process and consultation process Summary from citizen participation section of plan. Citizen input is an on-going process throughout the year. Public meetings regarding the Cares Act Round III funding were held on January 4, 2021, via Zoom video meeting software. Participants were encouraged to ask questions through the audio/video channel or the chat function or submit comments after the meetings. Monthly meetings of the Northampton Housing Partnership, the Next Step Collaborative, the Disabilities Commission, and the Community Preservation Committee are regular settings for sharing and exchanging information and collecting CDBG funding suggestions. These committees were reached out to get input regarding the COVID-19 crisis. In addition, the city used and considered focus groups and targeted interviews during the city’s 2019 analysis of impediments to fair housing, the city’s 2019 panhandling/downtown homelessness, the city’s 2019-2020 update of the ADA Transition/Section 504 Plan update, and the City’s 2020 Resilience Hub/Homeless Day Center informal working group (city and public service agencies) in collecting input for this Action Plan. All meetings are advertised, are open to the public, and reasonable accommodations for the hearing impaired were available. 5. Summary of public comments This could be a brief narrative summary or reference an attached document from the Citizen Participation section of the Con Plan. See minutes of the public hearings attached. There was XXX written submission that was accepted, during the CDBG public hearing process. It is summarized below and the original is included in the attachments. 6. Summary of comments or views not accepted and the reasons for not accepting them All public input received through the Citizen Participation process of this amendment was taken into consideration. 7. Summary Annual Action Plan 2019 5 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies – 91.200(b) 1. Agency/entity responsible for preparing/administering the Consolidated Plan Describe the agency/entity responsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan and those responsible for administration of each grant program and funding source. Agency Role Name Department/Agency Lead Agency NORTHAMPTON CDBG Administrator Planning & Sustainability HOPWA Administrator HOME Administrator HOPWA-C Administrator Table 1 – Responsible Agencies Narrative (optional) The City of Northampton administers the Community Development Block Grant Program through the Office Planning & Sustainability. Previously, it was administered through the Office of the Mayor. Staffing consists of the Community Development Planner, the Grants Administrator who manages the fiscal component of the program, and the Director of Planning & Sustainability who oversees the operations. Consolidated Plan Public Contact Information Keith Benoit, Community Development Planner, (413) 587-1288 kbenoit@northamptonma.gov Teresa Brockriede, Grants Administrator, (413) 587-1286 tbrockriede@northamptonma.gov Wayne Feiden, Director Planning & Sustainability, (413) 587-1265 wfeiden@northamptonma.gov Annual Action Plan 2019 6 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) AP-10 Consultation – 91.100, 91.200(b), 91.215(l) 1. Introduction The community development strategy is informed by extensive local collaboration, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where the needs are changing. Through active engagement, the City listens to services providers, the people who need relief, and from the institutional learning created by previous working groups, like the Mayorâ¿¿s task force on panhandling, and current working groups like the Resilience Hub planning team. The Mayorâ¿¿s Office, the Office of Planning & Sustainability, the Cityâ¿¿s Health Department, and other teams in the City. Western MA Network to End Homelessness: Regional network comprised of all four western MA counties formed to implement, through an open and inclusive process valuing the diversity of our communities, a regional system that strives to end family and individual homelessness by providing housing and support services; prevention, diversion, rapid re-housing strategies and stabilization of at- risk households. Monthly meetings each for Individual, Family, Veteran's, Unaccompanied Youth and Victims of Domestic Violence services. Council of Social Service Agencies of Hampshire County: A membership organization of non-profit providers working together for more than 30 years to support the coordination and effectiveness of human services in the county. Monthly meetings are held focusing on resources, funding opportunities, community education, outreach and advocacy. Three County Rural Continuum of Care: Quarterly Board meetings focus on uniform assessment, coordinated entry, Homeless Management Information System data collection and analysis, McKinney funded homelessness programming and planning. Collaborative applicant recently shifted from Hilltown CDC to Community Action of Pioneer Valley earlier this program year. Pioneer Valley Planning Commission: Quarterly meetings of the Regional Housing Plan Implementation Committee. Networking venue for those involved in preserving and creating affordable housing in 43 Cities and towns. Also venue for Inclusive Communities Advisory Committee which focuses on fair housing. Hampshire County Jail Diversion Program: Quarterly meetings with the Dept. of Mental Health, the Hampshire County House of Corrections and the Northampton Police Department to work on service referrals for people as opposed to incarceration. Cot Management Program: Monthly meetings during the winter sheltering season with Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Board members and community volunteers in conjunction with ServiceNet, Inc. to oversee shelter operation. Annual Action Plan 2019 7 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Valley CDC / Wayfinders: Quarterly meetings with property managers and local service providers to ensure stable housing for the residents of their affordable housing developments to prevent evictions. Next Step Collaborative: Monthly meetings facilitated by the Community Development Planner for housing and homeless service providers to monitor shelter capacity issues, numbers of unsheltered homeless, identification of resource gaps, general advocacy. Northampton Housing Partnership: Monthly meetings of Mayoral appointed advisory board to articulate the housing needs of the community, following the implementation plan articulated in the 2011 Housing Needs Assessment and Strategic Housing Plan. Composed of a landlord, Community Legal Aid attorney, Housing Authority tenant, housing advocates, clergy and interested citizens. Mayor's Office: Monthly meetings with Mayor, Mayor's Chief of Staff, Economic Development Director, Director of Planning and Sustainability, to insure a coordinated City community development program. Provide a concise summary of the jurisdiction’s activities to enhance coordination between public and assisted housing providers and private and governmental health, mental health and service agencies (91.215(l)) The Mayor commissioned and received a report in 2019 on panhandling that took survey results from people in the community and people actively panhandling on the street. The surveys to panhandlers were done in person and asked questions regarding their demographics, needs, and experiences. This report has informed the planning process and the service providers needed as the City is in the beginning stages of planning a resiliency hub. This will serve those frontline communities that rely on the coordination of government, housing providers, mental health clinics, and other service providers. The resiliency hub planning committee is receiving recommendations on who else should be involved in the planning process and is actively reaching out to those individuals. The Housing Partnership hosts the Valley Community Development Corporation, Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals, The Community Builders, Habitat for Humanity, the Northampton Housing Authority, the Center for Human Development and others periodically to receive agency updates and identify ways the City and the Partnership can assist their efforts. These meetings identify what housing units are in the development pipeline and what resources might be needed to provide on-site support services. A meeting was held last year to identify how to create Housing First units in Northampton. Follow up work is occurring with the Department of Mental Health to pursue creating a Safe Havens program. Creating true Housing First, low threshold housing units is a prioritized need still being worked on. The Community Development Planner communicates regularly with the Senior Manager of Public Housing and Section 8 Programs and the Resident Services Coordinator at the Northampton Housing Authority to enhance collaborative efforts. City staff attend the Valley CDC provider meetings to identify Annual Action Plan 2019 8 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) how the City can be of service to their housing stabilization efforts. Those meetings are attended by mental health professionals and clinicians. the SRO Outreach Coordinator, the Veterans Agent, Veteran's Administration case workers, ServiceNet, Inc. Highland Valley Elder Services and others who all focus on tenancy preservation and housing stabilization for their clients. Way Finders have adopted this model of coordination of support services for the Live 155 development. Next Step Collaborative monthly meetings include representation from Eliot Homeless Services, the mental health agency that has the Department of Mental Health vendor contract for homeless street outreach and clinical work, ServiceNet shelter providers, the Veterans Agent, Safe Passage (DV), A Positive Place (HIV/AIDS), Cooley Dickinson Social Workers, Peer Mentors from the Recovery Center, formerly homeless, currently homeless, ServiceNet's Resource Center which includes Health Care for the Homeless nurses, The SRO Outreach Worker, the Community Housing Support Services Coordinator, and others. These meetings have been held monthly since 1994 and consistently provide a venue for enhanced coordination with homeless, housing and social service providers. Describe coordination with the Continuum of Care and efforts to address the needs of homeless persons (particularly chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans, and unaccompanied youth) and persons at risk of homelessness. The Hilltown Community Development Corporation, which assumed the role of Collaborative Applicant for the Three County Rural Continuum of Care several years ago from the City of Northampton, relinquished that role earlier this year. Community Action of Pioneer Valley agreed to become the new lead agency. Under Hilltown's and the CoC board's leadership, strides were made in enhancing the HMIS data collection, analysis and dissemination, creation of the coordinated entry system and production and adoption of CoC policies and procedures. Successful McKinney applications were submitted and approved each year, providing 1.6 million dollars in resources annually. (The Executive Director of Community Action, Clare Higgins, was Mayor of Northampton during 12 of the 16 years that Northampton served as the lead agent for the Continuum, prior to relinquishing that role to Hilltown). Community Action is in the process of completing that transition with HUD, has hired a CoC coordinator and HMIS staff and will fully assume responsibility for the CoC in early summer. The Board membership will be reinvigorated and outreach to the three counties of Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire will occur with renewed efforts. The CoC utilizes the committee structure of the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness to address the needs of the chronically homeless through the Individual Services Committee, the needs of families through the Family Services Committee, the needs of Veterans through the Veteran's Services Committee and the needs of youth through the Unaccompanied Youth Committee. The network also has a Domestic Violence Committee. All committees meet monthly and are organized and facilitated by the Network Coordinator, who will work closely with the new CoC Coordinator. ServiceNet, Inc. has been the primary provider of permanent supported housing units through the Continuum for many years. ServiceNet opted out of that administration this past year. The Center for Annual Action Plan 2019 9 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Human Development stepped forward to assume that responsibility. The McKinney award of roughly $600,000 each year, provides subsidies for 60 units in the three counties. There was a gap in funding availability between the contracts, so people had to be relocated to other units before CHD could step in. This effort was time consuming and stressful for all involved. Locally, there were 8-10 clients affected. The City is grateful to CHD for coming forward to administer this resource and appreciates ServiceNet's efforts over the past decade to house and provide services to those exiting homelessness. ServiceNet will continue to administer its sheltering programs in all three counties. The City looks forward to continuing its close collaboration with both agencies moving forward. Describe consultation with the Continuum(s) of Care that serves the jurisdiction's area in determining how to allocate ESG funds, develop performance standards for and evaluate outcomes of projects and activities assisted by ESG funds, and develop funding, policies and procedures for the operation and administration of HMIS There are no municipalities in the Three County Continuum of Care that are ESG (Emergency Solutions Grants Program) entitlement communities. ESG funding for the CoC is allocated by the State's Department of Housing and Community Development through a competitive process. As part of the CoC governance structure, the CoC engages in an annual discussion about what the funding priorities should be and supports applications for funds from appropriate agencies for activities that address the identified priorities. Funds in the past few years have been allocated for prevention efforts. The Collaborative Applicant for the Continuum of Care has had a data committee focused on the HMIS system and the AHAR submissions which have involved codifying the operation and administration of the HMIS System. Community Action is in the process of investigating how to make the current HMIS system more effective with the coordinated entry and by-name lists that HUD is requiring. 2. Describe Agencies, groups, organizations and others who participated in the process and describe the jurisdiction’s consultations with housing, social service agencies and other entities Annual Action Plan 2019 10 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Table 2 – Agencies, groups, organizations who participated 1 Agency/Group/Organization CASA LATINA, INC. Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing Services-Elderly Persons Services-Persons with HIV/AIDS Services-Victims of Domestic Violence Services-Health Services-Education Services-Employment Service-Fair Housing Neighborhood Organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment Public Housing Needs Non-Homeless Special Needs Anti-poverty Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? Casa Latina was formerly an independent agency now absorbed into Community Action. The agency conducted case management activities during the transition to a new umbrella organization. At the end of last year's programs was assumed by Community Action of Pioneer Valley, Northampton allocated CDBG funding to support that work. Additional bi-lingual staff are joining the existing Community Resources and Advocacy team at Community Action to better serve the Latinx community. As additional funding sources are secured, outreach to the Latinx community will be enhanced. Annual Action Plan 2019 11 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 2 Agency/Group/Organization Center for Human Development Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing Services-Elderly Persons Services-Persons with Disabilities Services-homeless Services-Health Regional organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless Homeless Needs - Families with children Homelessness Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? CHD provides the administrative oversight for the Single Room Occupancy Outreach Program and the Community Housing Support Services Program in Northampton. The SRO Outreach Program was created in the late 1980's during the deinstitutionalization of the Northampton State Hospital. This is a small one person program that provides case management services to residents of the City's SRO's. This is an integral component in our local continuum of care. The program also operates a food pantry to address food insecurity. It is funded in part by CDBG. The Community Housing Support Services Project is funded by the City's Community Preservation Program and serves individuals and families facing eviction for non- payment of rent. CHD is now administering the 60 PSH units awarded McKinney Funding in the CoC application. 3 Agency/Group/Organization Center for New Americans Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Education Services-Employment Regional organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Economic Development Anti-poverty Strategy Annual Action Plan 2019 12 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? The Center for New Americans is a long time CDBG recipient that has been teaching English and offering support services to immigrants in Western MA for over 27 years. Classes, careers coaching, citizenship and immigration legal services provide stepping stones to new jobs, new businesses and new lives for immigrants in Western MA. 4 Agency/Group/Organization Office of Planning and Sustainability Agency/Group/Organization Type Other government - Local Planning organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment Homelessness Strategy Non-Homeless Special Needs Economic Development Anti-poverty Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? Planning & Sustainability administers (January of 2020) the CDBG program, ADA Coordinator, and Community Development. The Housing Partnership works in partnership with Planning & Sustainability to further policies and zoning revisions that encourage the production and preservation of affordable housing. The Zoning Sub-Committee of the Housing Partnership meets periodically with the Assistant Director to strategize how to support potentially controversial zoning proposals. Partnership members provide testimony at public hearings. 5 Agency/Group/Organization Northampton Department of Public Works Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Persons with Disabilities Services-homeless Other government - Local What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless Homelessness Strategy Annual Action Plan 2019 13 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? The Director of the Department of Public Works assisted with the development of an encampment protocol to identify and address the presence of unsheltered people living outside. The protocol sets out to identify land ownership and if the City is the landowner, an outreach team is sent to conduct engagement and assessment. Smith College has agreed to follow this protocol as well, and outreach team contact information is given to any private property owner wishing to address this situation as humanely as possible. 6 Agency/Group/Organization Community Action of the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin Regions, Inc. Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Children Services-Health Services-Education Services-Employment Publicly Funded Institution/System of Care What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Anti-poverty Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? Community Action of Pioneer Valley (new name) is the anti-poverty agency for the Hampshire, Franklin counties. In addition to being a CDBG funded recipient for the Community Resources and Youth Readiness Programs, Community Action has assumed the role of the Collaborative Applicant for the McKinney Continuum of Care for Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire Counties. They have also taken over the mission and work of Casa Latina, which originated from Hampshire Community Action decades ago. The agency also operates the HeadStart Program on Vernon Street in Northampton and offers many programs to Northampton residents that empower residents to secure economic self-sufficiency. Annual Action Plan 2019 14 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 7 Agency/Group/Organization Community Legal Aid, Inc. Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing Services-Persons with Disabilities Services-Victims of Domestic Violence Services-homeless Service-Fair Housing What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Public Housing Needs Homelessness Strategy Non-Homeless Special Needs Anti-poverty Strategy Lead-based Paint Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? The City funds CLA with CDBG funds for its homelessness prevention program. The program's staff attorneys interface with the Housing Authority and other affordable housing providers to facilitate housing stability for households facing eviction, particularly those already living in rent assisted subsidized units. 8 Agency/Group/Organization PIONEER VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing Services-Persons with Disabilities Regional organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment Anti-poverty Strategy Annual Action Plan 2019 15 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? Habitat is the City's partner in the creation of affordable home ownership opportunities. With limited State funding for homeownership projects, Habitat is the sole organization addressing this prioritized need. Work on the remaining home in the Garfield neighborhood has been completed after many years. 6 homes are now built and occupied! Work also is progressing on the 4 new homes on Glendale Road. Both projects have received CDBG and CPC funding. Habitat can take on smaller scale projects that larger developers cannot, and they provide long term support to their families. The last house on Garfield Ave. embodies the "small house" energy efficient design competition results yielded from the "Just Big Enough" project which was initiated by the City's Office of Planning & Sustainability. The city is working on other limited development projects in three location to deliver additional lots to Habitat. 9 Agency/Group/Organization Northampton Veterans Services Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing Services-homeless Services-Health Other government - Local What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Homelessness Needs - Veterans Non-Homeless Special Needs Anti-poverty Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? Northampton's Veterans Agent is very engaged locally, regionally and at the State level advocating for resources for Veterans. He is a regular participant at the Next Step Collaborative, the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness Veterans Committee, and is Chair of the Statewide Veterans Coalition. He works closely with the Veterans Administration's Medical Campus and Soldier On to coordinate services, as well as the Northampton Housing Authority, who administers several hundred VASH vouchers for the region. Annual Action Plan 2019 16 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 10 Agency/Group/Organization Massachusetts Fair Housing Center Agency/Group/Organization Type Service-Fair Housing Regional organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Analysis of Impediments Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? The City works with the Fair Housing Center to provide community outreach and education activities as well as to process complaints. The City and the MFHC participate in the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission's Regional Housing Plan Implementation Committee and the Inclusive Communities Advisory Group to facilitate mobility throughout the region. The Housing Center provided critical input into the 2019 Analysis of Impediments Update relative to the number and nature of complaints from Northampton. 11 Agency/Group/Organization HAP Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing Regional organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless Homeless Needs - Families with children Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? Way Finders (formerly HAP), completed the demolition and new construction of Live 155 on Pleasant Street, which is now a successfully operating mixed income mixed use property with 70 units. Way Finders will manages the Valley CDC Lumber Yard Apartment project and the renovation/expansion of 82 Bridge Street SRO. The two organizations work closely together to accomplish affordable housing preservation and creation in Northampton. 12 Agency/Group/Organization Northampton Housing Authority Agency/Group/Organization Type PHA Annual Action Plan 2019 17 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Public Housing Needs Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? The NHA applied to utilize CDBG funds in this new program year. The Program will assist with capital improvement/handicap accessibility projects at several developments. The City and the NHA are also partnering to submit an application to the Community Preservation Committee to purchase and install play equipment at the two-family developments. The NHA stepped forward to accommodate relocation efforts for the 82 Bridge Street SRO as they did for the Northampton Lodging project, by admitting several tenants to NHA units during the construction period. 13 Agency/Group/Organization Valley Community Development Corporation (CDC) Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing Services - Housing Services-Employment Regional organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment Economic Development Anti-poverty Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? Valley CDC is a regional affordable housing developer. Services also include homeownership counseling, down payment assistance and small business technical assistance. The Lumber Yard Apartments development was opened for occupancy in June of 2019. The Sergeant House SRO Renovation/Expansion is under construction and will be completed in late 2020. VCDC is also partnering with The Community Builders to create 65 additional affordable rental units at Village Hill, the former State Hospital property over the next several years, on two separate parcels. Annual Action Plan 2019 18 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 14 Agency/Group/Organization SAFE PASSAGE Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Victims of Domestic Violence Regional organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Domestic Violence Services Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? Safe Passage provides emergency shelter and support services to victims of domestic violence in Hampshire County. Administrative services have been consolidated in one building at a new location. Staff participate in the Western Mass Regional Network to End Homelessness through a newly created committee on Domestic Violence services as well as monthly Next Step meetings. 15 Agency/Group/Organization ServiceNet, Inc. Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-homeless Services-Health Regional organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless Homelessness Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? ServiceNet, Inc. is a large multi-faceted mental health agency. They are a CDBG funded public services grantee for the two emergency shelters for homeless individuals in Northampton. Their staff attend the Next Step Collaborative, REACH and the Individual Services Committee of the Regional Network to End Homelessness. 16 Agency/Group/Organization Cooley Dickinson Hospital Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Persons with HIV/AIDS Services-Health Health Agency Major Employer Annual Action Plan 2019 19 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Homelessness Strategy HOPWA Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? Cooley Dickinson sponsors A Positive Place, a program that provides housing vouchers and support services to people living with HIV/Aids. Social workers from the Emergency Department attend Next Step Collaborative meetings in order to be up to date on current resources that can help avoid them discharging people into homelessness. Positive Place staff also attend Next Step meetings regularly. The program receives funding from a HOPWA grant administered by the City of Springfield. 17 Agency/Group/Organization Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing Services-homeless What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless Homelessness Needs - Unaccompanied youth Homelessness Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? The Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals is a small non-profit operating out of Northampton. FOH has partnered with ServiceNet to create Yvonne's House, which houses 6 formerly chronically homeless individuals; with the Gandara Center to create Maple Ave, which houses 6 formerly homeless individuals committed to sober recovery and with Dial/Self to create 8 units for at risk unaccompanied homeless youth. The Chair of the Northampton Housing Partnership is on the Friends of the Homeless Board, and the President of the FOH Board attends the Next Step Collaborative meetings regularly. 18 Agency/Group/Organization MANNA SOUP KITCHEN,INC. Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-homeless Soup Kitchen Annual Action Plan 2019 20 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless Homelessness Needs - Veterans Homelessness Strategy Non-Homeless Special Needs Anti-poverty Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? The MANNA program is a CDBG funded public service. This program recently celebrated a 40 year anniversary and provides community meals 5 days a week. The program addresses food insecurity and promotes housing stability for those having to choose between paying housing costs and buying food. 19 Agency/Group/Organization Highland Valley Elder Services Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Elderly Persons Services-Health Regional organization What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Public Housing Needs Homelessness Strategy Anti-poverty Strategy Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted. What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for improved coordination? Highland Valley Elder Services provides case management and outreach to elders at-risk in the community. They work in conjunction with the SRO Outreach Program and affordable housing property managers to identify and serve elders in need of assistance. They also provide home delivered meals to allow elders to live independently. Identify any Agency Types not consulted and provide rationale for not consulting The additional outreach conducted this past year to update the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing helped immensely to not only formulate that report and create a work plan to implement the resultant recommendations, but also to inform this Annual Action Plan. Extensive outreach Annual Action Plan 2019 21 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) was done via stakeholder sessions and focus groups. Multiple sessions with targeted subpopulations were conducted by Housing Partnership members, City staff and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission consultants. ( see list of participants in the Attachments). Other local/regional/state/federal planning efforts considered when preparing the Plan Name of Plan Lead Organization How do the goals of your Strategic Plan overlap with the goals of each plan? Continuum of Care Community Action Homelessness prevention, creation and sustainability of permanent supported housing units, promoting and funding housing stabilization support services, interface with addiction and mental health resources are overlapping goals. Both gather information and feedback from the committees that meet through the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness organizational structure. Regional goals are articulated in the annual McKinney application. Most recent submission was for 2019-2020. Western Mass Opening Doors 2015 Western Mass Network to End Homelessness Plan created in June 2015 offers a framework for implementation and accountability to make episodes of homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring by retooling the crisis response system to one of housing focused, data driven and outcome oriented. Municipal work is driven by the collective impact framework presented in the report. Federal Opening Doors Plan 2010,2015 U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Western Mass aligned its regional work with goals outlined in the Federal Plan, to insure progress and accountability in one overall framework. The 10 objectives articulated in the Federal plan are pursued at the regional and local level. Housing Needs Assessment/Strate gic Plan 2011 Northampton Housing Partnership/May or's Office The Office of Planning & Sustainability consults with the Housing Partnership to implement goals and objectives identified in this comprehensive local plan. Updates on progress are regular agenda items at every monthly Partnership meeting. All Roads Lead Home 2008 Three County CoC 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness Written by Housing Directors in Northampton and Springfield to build community support and set goals. Coordination and funding for prevention, rapid rehousing, creation of permanent supportive housing units outside of Holyoke and Springfield, enhancing employment opportunities and life skills were all goals that guided the work over the last decade. Annual Action Plan 2019 22 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Name of Plan Lead Organization How do the goals of your Strategic Plan overlap with the goals of each plan? Report on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth 2015 Executive Office of the Governor Special Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth was formed in 2015. State resources for housing and support services have been allocated at the State level since. Usually $2 million annually support the work to implement the recommendations in the report. This yearÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¢ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ ¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿Ã¿Â¿ ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿ÿ¿s budget request, still pending, is to increase that amount to 5 million dollars. Unlocking Opportunity: An Assessment of Barriers Northampton Housing Partnership This report was finalized in the fall 2019. Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in conjunction with the Mayor's Office, Office of Planning & Sustainability, and Northampton Housing Partnership have overseen the effort to update the City's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing. Up-to-date census data will provide a relevant context to the City and regional demographics and input from an extensive community engagement process will inform the work of City departments for several years. A Downtown Northampton for Everyone: Residents, Vi Office of the Mayor Panhandling and the plight of at-risk individuals on our downtown streets and sidewalks has been a source of public concern, debate, and controversy in Northampton for decades. In response to the myriad concerns expressed by city residents, visitors, downtown merchants and property owners, Mayor David Narkewicz assembled the Work Group on Panhandling to conduct an in-depth study of the issue. The Work Group was comprised of representatives from multiple social services organizations, clergy, law enforcement, the business community, and city government. Mayor Narkewicz's charge to the Work Group was to research and analyze the complex set of issues associated with panhandling and people at-risk in downtown Northampton, to respectfully reach out to people on downtown's sidewalks to better understand their experience, to survey the opinions of Northampton's residents and visitors about downtown issues, to study the larger societal issues impacting people on our streets, to study approaches undertaken by other communities faced with complex downtown issues, and to present its research and recommendations to the community for further consideration. Table 3 – Other local / regional / federal planning efforts Narrative (optional) Annual Action Plan 2019 23 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) AP-12 Participation – 91.105, 91.200(c) 1. Summary of citizen participation process/Efforts made to broaden citizen participation Summarize citizen participation process and how it impacted goal-setting The goals and objectives identified in this second amendment to the 2019 Action Plan were formulated by input from service providers as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded throughout the second half of 2020. The City consulted with service providers, evaluated funding needs, formulated an initial plan for the upcoming winter season, and evaluated the institutional capacity of the requesters to carry out each project. These requests were inputted into a draft action plan that became the basis for the public participation meeting on January 4, 2021. The meeting was held via Zoom meeting software and the public comment period was reduced to 5 days due to a waiver given by HUD issued through the CARES Act. The goals and objectives identified in the Action Plan were formulated by input gathered at the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness Steering Committee and sub-population committee meetings, the CDBG Public Services Review Committee interviews, monthly Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee meetings, monthly Next Step Collaborative meetings of housing and homeless service providers, quarterly housing provider meetings and two public hearings advertised through legal ads in the newspaper, postings on the City's website and direct outreach to impacted populations. More extensive targeted outreach occurred this year as the City updated its Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing. The effort, entitled Unlocking Opportunity: An Assessment of Barriers to Housing Choice in Northampton was undertaken in conjunction with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. Funded by the City Council, PVPC was selected by the Northampton Housing Partnership after a solicitation process that yielded 3 responses. Two days of stakeholder sessions were held in January of 2019. On January 23rd, one-hour sessions began at 9 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m. and PVPC, City staff and Housing Partnership members heard from social service providers, housing search workers, property managers, local and area housing authorities, and disability community advocates. On January 30th, we heard from local government officials from other Pioneer Valley communities, affordable housing developers, realtors and local government officials from Northampton which included the Mayor, the Planning Director, the Senior Center Director, the Social Worker for the public schools and the Human Rights Commission. Each session was attended by 4-8 participants. Additionally, focus groups were held with participants from the Northampton Recovery Center, inmates from the Hampshire House of Corrections pre-release program, staff at Safe Passage's Emergency Shelter for people experiencing domestic violence and currently homeless guests at the Hampshire County Resource Center. A survey was created and Annual Action Plan 2019 24 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) disseminated throughout the region to gather information about people's experiences with housing discrimination. Paper copies were made available at a variety of social service agencies such as the Center for New Americans and the Pioneer Valley Workers Center and public locations such as Forbes Library. 200 surveys were returned. A public session on the AI was held May 22, 2019 to solicit feedback on draft findings and gather additional comments. 65 people attended this event, which provided food, childcare and reimbursement for public transportation costs. This report will inform the work of the Mayor's Office, the Office of Planning & Sustainability, the Housing Partnership/Fair Housing Committee and the Human Rights Commission for years to come Annual Action Plan 2019 25 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Citizen Participation Outreach Sort Ord er Mode of Outr each Target of Outr each Summary of response/attend ance Summary of comments rece ived Summary of com ments not accepted and reasons URL (If applicable) 1 Public Hearing Minorities Non-English Speaking - Specify other language: Spanish Persons with disabilities Non- targeted/broad community Residents of Public and Assisted Housing Staff of the agencies tend to come more than actual clients. The public hearings were held February 13th and March 27th. 16 participants attended. See minutes attached. All comments were accepted. Annual Action Plan 2019 26 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Sort Ord er Mode of Outr each Target of Outr each Summary of response/attend ance Summary of comments rece ived Summary of com ments not accepted and reasons URL (If applicable) 2 Survey Monkey Minorities Non-English Speaking - Specify other language: Spanish Persons with disabilities Non- targeted/broad community Residents of Public and Assisted Housing The Analysis of Impediments survey instrument was distributed through a Pioneer Valley Planning Commission social media campaign and disseminated on the Mayor's Facebook Page. It was publicized in the newspaper and thru other listservs such as Yes In My Back Yard Pioneer Valley. 200+ surveys were received thru Survey Monkey and 30 paper surveys were submitted. All Survey responses and open-ended question responses were included in the analysis. All comments were accepted. Annual Action Plan 2019 27 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Sort Ord er Mode of Outr each Target of Outr each Summary of response/attend ance Summary of comments rece ived Summary of com ments not accepted and reasons URL (If applicable) 3 Public Meeting Minorities Non- targeted/broad community Residents of Public and Assisted Housing The Northampton Housing Partnership met monthly and created a New Member Guide with a glossary of affordable housing terms, this past year. The guide will help new members better understand their role. Membership recruitment was identified as a goal this year to diversify the Partnership composition. There are currently 13 members out of a possible 15. Monthly minutes are taken and posted on the City's website. All comments are accepted. Annual Action Plan 2019 28 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Sort Ord er Mode of Outr each Target of Outr each Summary of response/attend ance Summary of comments rece ived Summary of com ments not accepted and reasons URL (If applicable) 4 Invited Participants Housing and Homeless Service Providers The Next Step Collaborative meets monthly and has since 1994 on the second Thursday of every month. All local housing and homeless service providers and consumers are welcome. Typical attendance is 8- 15. Discussions focus on identifying new resources, gaps in resources, assessing shelter capacity and issues, monitoring and conducting outreach to unsheltered living outside in encampments, and assessing resident needs living in the City's affordable housing and Single Room Occupancy units. All comments are accepted. Annual Action Plan 2019 29 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Sort Ord er Mode of Outr each Target of Outr each Summary of response/attend ance Summary of comments rece ived Summary of com ments not accepted and reasons URL (If applicable) 5 AI stakeholder and focus group sessions Minorities Non-English Speaking - Specify other language: Spanish Persons with disabilities Residents of Public and Assisted Housing Sessions were attended by the Department of Mental Health, the Center for New Americans, Catholic Charities, Community Legal Aid, Housing Authorities, disabled citizens, Pioneer Valley Workers Center to learn about the needs of minorities, non- English speakers, persons with mental and physical disabilities, public housing residents and people living with HIV/AIDS. 27 people participated in those targeted sessions. All comments incorporated into the report. Pages and pages of newsprint were generated from all the sessions. Discussions were lively, full and informative. The public input received informed the Annual Action Plan as well as the Analysis of Impediments Update. All comments were accepted. Annual Action Plan 2019 30 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Sort Ord er Mode of Outr each Target of Outr each Summary of response/attend ance Summary of comments rece ived Summary of com ments not accepted and reasons URL (If applicable) 6 Public Hearing Minorities Persons with disabilities Non- targeted/broad community Residents of Public and Assisted Housing The public hearing for the amendment #2 for the Annual Action Plan was held on January 4th, 2021 via Zoom meeting software where there were XXX participants who attended. The meeting was announced in the newspaper and was put on the City's website. The meeting was recorded and citizen have the opportunity to watch the recording and send in comments during the comment period. The public comment period was reduced to five days, per HUD waiver issued See minutes attached All comments were accepted. http://www.northamptonma.gov/20 83/CDBG-Program-Planning Annual Action Plan 2019 31 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Table 4 – Citizen Participation Outreach Annual Action Plan 2019 32 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Expected Resources AP-15 Expected Resources – 91.220(c)(1,2) Introduction The City of Northampton will use new CDBG Cares Act Round III funds in conjunction with carry over funds to implement projects as prioritized in the amended Annual Action Plan from 2019. Anticipated Resources Program Source of Funds Uses of Funds Expected Amount Available Year 1 Expected Amount Available Remainder of ConPlan $ Narrative Description Annual Allocation: $ Program Income: $ Prior Year Resources: $ Total: $ CDBG public - federal Acquisition Admin and Planning Economic Development Housing Public Improvements Public Services 670,267 10,000 461,583 1,141,850 670,267 Funds will be used for housing programs/projects; public facilities and access; public services; and the administration of the grant. Expected amount based the award, estimated program income and carryover Annual Action Plan 2019 33 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Program Source of Funds Uses of Funds Expected Amount Available Year 1 Expected Amount Available Remainder of ConPlan $ Narrative Description Annual Allocation: $ Program Income: $ Prior Year Resources: $ Total: $ Continuum of Care public - federal Housing 334,210 0 0 334,210 334,210 This is a pro-rated amount of the total amount awarded to the Three County Rural Continuum of Care, as an estimate of the impact on Northampton programming. Overall award for Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire Counties is $1,602,351 Other public - federal Acquisition Admin and Planning Economic Development Public Improvements Public Services 646,052 0 0 646,052 646,052 CARES Act funding that will support Emergency Business Grants, Resiliency Hub, Emergency Sheltering, Public Services, and Administration Other public - federal Acquisition Housing Public Improvements 0 0 0 0 0 Other public - federal Housing 1,046,994 0 0 1,046,994 1,046,994 This resource reflects the award to A Positive Place, for housing support subsidies and case management. HOPWA grant is administered by the City of Springfield for the region. Annual Action Plan 2019 34 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Program Source of Funds Uses of Funds Expected Amount Available Year 1 Expected Amount Available Remainder of ConPlan $ Narrative Description Annual Allocation: $ Program Income: $ Prior Year Resources: $ Total: $ Other public - local Acquisition 1,450,000 0 0 1,450,000 1,450,000 The City of Northampton will provide $1,450,000 for the acquisition or rehabilitation of a community resiliency hub that will act as a day center for those who are experiencing acute stress, such as extreme weather, homelessness, or COVID-19. This money will leverage the $416,824 in CDBG funding. Table 5 - Expected Resources – Priority Table Explain how federal funds will leverage those additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how matching requirements will be satisfied All CDBG funded activities and projects require other funding sources to achieve full implementation. The Safe Routes to School project will leverage another $920,000 in state funded sidewalk improvements in a low-mod income area neighborhood. The community resiliency hub may have leverage for the State’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant in future rounds (the City was not awarded for the 2020 cycle). Public facilities projects often utilize City Capital Improvement Program funds and privately fundraised dollars. Public infrastructure projects typically utilize State Chapter 90 funding and other State grant sources, such as the MAssWorks Program. Public Service grants use a variety of other funding sources such as United Way and private fundraising from foundations and individuals. CDBG funds are used for affordable housing applications to State and Federal funding sources that require evidence of a local cash match, although there is not an actual dollar amount required. The affordable housing projects at Village Hill will have several additional funding sources, as the CDBG allotment addresses only a very small percentage of the overall project cost. Local affordable housing projects also apply to the Community Preservation Committee for CPA funding (local home rule approval to tax with a State match). Smith College also created an Affordable Housing Fund to assist with the development of new affordable units to compensate for units they remove from the inventory when they expand their campus. Annual Action Plan 2019 35 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) The Commonwealth's Department of Housing and Community Development is the primary funding source for affordable housing development through the One-Stop Application process. An indication of the leveraging scale is exhibited by the $150-200,000 of CDBG funds allocated to the Lumber Yard Apartment development and the Live 155 project which were both $20million projects. The Public Service grant allocations from the City's CDBG program are so small that grantees report that their (the CDBG awards) greatest value is to show City support when they apply to other funding sources for the larger sums. Regarding the McKinney Homeless Assistance Program funds that are channeled through the Continuum of Care, ServiceNet withdrew from the administration of 45 units of permanent supported housing due in part to the stringent cash match requirements mandated by HUD. The agency could not operate the program without running a deficit, so $600,000 was reallocated in this year’s application. The Center for Human Development stepped forward with the hopes that as a larger more diverse agency, they could more easily accommodate HUD's match requirements. The preference from the local level would be that the Federal government simply provide enough funding to adequately administer the programs, without all the added work required to identify, track and monitor cash and in-kind matches. Annual Action Plan 2019 36 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) If appropriate, describe publically owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that may be used to address the needs identified in the plan The City recently had a parcel of land granted to it by the State, that will be used towards the affordable housing objectives. The parcel is the 278 Burts Pit Road property, and the City plans to demolish the house on it, prepare the land for disposition, and then sell to an affordable housing developer through an RFP process. The other property is on Laurel Street, that the City will similarly prepare and sell to an affordable housing developer. The City is seeking to partner with a public service agency (such as Service Net or Community Action) to house and manage the storage lockers for people who are experiencing homelessness, but the lockers may be placed on City property if there is not space available with a public service agency. Additionally, the City is seeking to do appraisals for sidewalk improvements as part of the City’s Safe Routes to School project. This may require takings by the City, which will add to the size of the City’s sidewalk inventory. The City's Office of Planning & Sustainability is ever vigilant in the pursuit of land acquisition for open space acquisition and limited development projects. This past year, the Planning Director sponsored another design competition for small lot development in conjunction with natural resource conservation, asking respondents to design small energy efficiency homes. A parcel on Burts Pit Road has been purchased by the City, and the design competition was specific to that parcel. $135,000 of CDBG funding in this year's Action Plan will finance soft costs and infrastructure work on a defunct sub-division that the City purchased last year. The Glendale Road parcel will now be preserved as open space with a wildlife corridor, but the Director also carved off 4 home sites, which were deeded to Habitat for Humanity through an RFP process. The City is still pursuing ownership of two lots deeded to the Housing Authority through the disposition of the former State hospital property for approximately 20 affordable units. It has now been 2 years that the State has taken to address the revised legislation giving ownership to the City, getting the parcels appraised and transferring the deeds. When the City does finally become the owner, an RFP will be issued for development of affordable housing. The City regularly reviews tax title takings and foreclosures, which are rare, for possible development opportunities. The City received City Council approval to acquire a new parcel, currently in tax title on Woodland Drive for mixed income housing, including affordable housing. Discussion Because the State is not funding affordable homeownership development, we are grateful to have Habitat for Humanity creating units in Northampton. The City and its affordable housing development partners all continue to think creatively about how to produce attractive, energy efficient new units, despite the lack of available land and high development costs. The Northampton housing market Annual Action Plan 2019 37 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) continues to be strong, with very little inventory available at the less expensive end. The City continues to examine tax abatement programs for developers, and possible zoning revisions to increase opportunities for people to live more affordably. Annual Action Plan 2019 38 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Annual Goals and Objectives AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives Goals Summary Information Sort Order Goal Name Start Year End Year Category Geographic Area Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator 1 Homelessness Prevention 2015 2019 Homeless Non-Homeless Special Needs Homelessness Prevention CDBG: $19,000 Continuum of Care: $423,076 CDBG-CV: $94,956 CPA: $80,465 ESG: $915,659 HOPWA: $131,335 Homelessness Prevention: 450 Persons Assisted Annual Action Plan 2019 39 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Sort Order Goal Name Start Year End Year Category Geographic Area Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator 2 Support for Emergency Shelter System 2015 2019 Homeless Support for Emergency Shelter CDBG: $23,715 Continuum of Care: $0 CDBG-CV: $416,824 CPA: $0 City Funding: $1,450,000 ESG: $62,100 HOPWA: $0 Public Facility or Infrastructure Activities other than Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit: 200 Persons Assisted 3 Rental Housing for Families 2015 2019 Affordable Housing Rental Housing for Families CDBG: $150,000 Continuum of Care: $155,133 CPA: $0 ESG: $0 HOPWA: $0 Rental units constructed: 0 Household Housing Unit 4 Rental Housing for Individuals 2015 2019 Affordable Housing Rental Housing for Individuals CDBG: $0 Continuum of Care: $0 CPA: $0 ESG: $0 HOPWA: $0 Rental units constructed: 20 Household Housing Unit Rental units rehabilitated: 15 Household Housing Unit Annual Action Plan 2019 40 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Sort Order Goal Name Start Year End Year Category Geographic Area Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator 5 Preservation of Existing Affordable Rental Stock 2015 2019 Affordable Housing Preservation of Existing Affordable Rental Stock CDBG: $0 Continuum of Care: $0 CPA: $0 ESG: $0 HOPWA: $0 Rental units constructed: 0 Household Housing Unit Rental units rehabilitated: 0 Household Housing Unit 6 Housing Rehabilitation 2015 2019 Affordable Housing Housing Rehabilitation Resources CDBG: $96,674 Continuum of Care: $0 CPA: $0 ESG: $0 HOPWA: $0 Homeowner Housing Rehabilitated: 2 Household Housing Unit 7 Affordable Homeownership for Families 2015 2019 Affordable Housing Affordable Homeownership for Families CDBG: $33,000 Continuum of Care: $0 CPA: $0 ESG: $0 HOPWA: $0 Homeowner Housing Added: 5 Household Housing Unit Direct Financial Assistance to Homebuyers: 3 Households Assisted Annual Action Plan 2019 41 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Sort Order Goal Name Start Year End Year Category Geographic Area Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator 8 Housing for At-Risk and Special Needs Populations 2015 2019 Affordable Housing Housing for At - Risk & Special Needs Populations CDBG: $150,000 Continuum of Care: $1,309,510 CPA: $0 ESG: $0 HOPWA: $131,335 HIV/AIDS Housing Operations: 27 Household Housing Unit 9 Economic Development/Income Maximization 2015 2019 Economic Development/Income Maximization Economic Development CDBG: $174,000 Continuum of Care: $0 CDBG-CV: $75,000 CPA: $0 ESG: $0 HOPWA: $0 Jobs created/retained: 5 Jobs Businesses assisted: 47 Businesses Assisted 10 Housing Support Services 2015 2019 Affordable Housing Housing Support Services CDBG: $10,000 CPA: $80,465 Homelessness Prevention: 225 Persons Assisted 11 Addressing Basic Needs 2015 2019 Non-Housing Community Development Addressing Basic Needs CDBG: $21,000 CDBG-CV: $36,750 Public service activities other than Low/Moderate Income Housing Benefit: 5120 Persons Assisted Annual Action Plan 2019 42 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Sort Order Goal Name Start Year End Year Category Geographic Area Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator 12 Elimination of Slums and Blight 2015 2016 Elimination of Slums and Blight No geographic Priorities Designated Elimination of Slums and Blight CDBG: $0 Continuum of Care: $0 CPA: $0 ESG: $0 HOPWA: $0 Buildings Demolished: 0 Buildings 13 Improvement of Public Facilities 2015 2016 Non-Housing Community Development Public Facilities CDBG: $40,000 Continuum of Care: $0 CPA: $0 ESG: $0 HOPWA: $0 14 Planning and Administration 2015 2019 Program Administration No geographic Priorities Designated CDBG: $134,053 CDBG-CV: $44,272 Table 6 – Goals Summary Goal Descriptions Annual Action Plan 2019 43 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 1 Goal Name Homelessness Prevention Goal Description **CLA Tenancy Preservation and CDH SRO Outreach projects were included in the Homelessness Prevention goal, funded for $19,000. The City will provide $94,956 in CV funding to a Rental and Utility Assistance program administered through Community Action Pioneer Valley, where residents are qualified through their Community Resource and Advocacy program. 2 Goal Name Support for Emergency Shelter System Goal Description This will pay for the acquisition of a daytime resiliency hub for homeless, near homeless, elderly, people with disabilities, and low- and moderate people who are experiencing acute and chronic stresses. These can include weather-related events, pandemics, or other stresses. This daytime shelter will help respond to, prevent, and prepare for the Coronavirus. The hub will be a place for people to access services. This is not for operating costs. 3 Goal Name Rental Housing for Families Goal Description CDBG funds of $150,000 will be expended during this program year for The Community Builders to use towards the acquisition of two parcels at Village Hill. The parcels are being purchased from MassDevelopment for use as affordable housing. 65 new rental units for families and individuals will be created for a range of incomes (12 in one mixed-use building on one parcel and 53 in a residential building on a different parcel), from 30% of area median income up to 120% of area median income. Still, construction will not be completed during this program year. Annual Action Plan 2019 44 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 4 Goal Name Rental Housing for Individuals Goal Description In the prior program year, Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals and their partner organization Dial/Self received $75,000 in CPA funds and $65,000 of CDBG funds to produce 8 units of housing for unaccompanied homeless youth. 4 units in a rehabilitated existing building came online this past fall and work on 4 additional units in a newly constructed building will come online this program year to complete the project. Last year's CDBG allocation of $150,000 for the Sergeant House, at 82 Bridge Street that involved the renovation and expansion of an existing 15-unit SRO building into 31 units (16 new) of enhanced SRO housing, will see completion this program year. So, although the CDBG funds have been drawn in the prior program year, the 31 units are now being reported. The project received $350,000 of CPA funding in two rounds. 5 Goal Name Preservation of Existing Affordable Rental Stock Goal Description As reflected in the prior goal statement, 15 units of affordable rental housing will be created this program year at the Sergeant House located at 82 Bridge Street. Because HUD requires plan components to be reported in only one category, the data is not reflected in this section, although the project does achieve the goal of preservation of existing affordable rental stock. It also could have been counted in the goal addressing Housing for At-Risk and Special Needs Populations, but the 15 new units was included in Goal #4, Rental Housing for Individuals. 6 Goal Name Housing Rehabilitation Goal Description The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission will continue to administer the City's Housing Rehabilitation Program this year, with the goal to qualify and complete 2 single-family homes in need of renovation. Annual Action Plan 2019 45 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 7 Goal Name Affordable Homeownership for Families Goal Description In the prior program year, $135,000 in CDBG funds were allocated to Habitat for Humanity to construct 4 homes on Glendale Road. Those homes will be completed and occupied in this program years, although funds will have been drawn. The final home at the Garfield/Verona Habitat development will also be completed and occupied this year. Valley CDC will administer 3 down payment/closing costs grants as direct financial assistance to facilitate people being able to purchase homes in Northampton. **Direct homeownership assistance to first-time LMI homebuyers will receive $30,000 of CDBG-DV money. 8 Goal Name Housing for At-Risk and Special Needs Populations Goal Description The Continuum of Care McKinney amount reflects awards made to agencies that administer housing subsidies and support services in multiple communities. It is difficult to assign a dollar amount to resources Northampton receives, as subsidies are utilized in apartments that can shift from county and community, depending on availability at any given time. Dial/Self will administer a combined Transitional/Permanent/Rapid Re-housing Program model for at risk youth this year with $98,256 of McKinney funds; ServiceNet will continue to administer the Shelter Plus Care Program in Franklin and Hampshire counties in conjunction with the Department of Mental Health for $211,239 (21 units) and the Center for Human Development will utilize an award of $690,520 for a permanent supported housing program for chronically homeless in Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties (45 units). A Positive Place will administer 27 subsidies to families experiencing HIV/Aids, with a McKinney award of $127,886, HOPWA and Ryan White funds. The 8 units Dial/Self will administer at the Northampton TeenHousing site will serve unaccompanied homeless youth and the Sergeant House will have units set aside for homeless individuals (as reflected in the Rental Housing for Individuals section). The Village Hill developments that will create 65 new units will include handicap accessible units, as well as units to accommodate the visually and hearing impaired. They will be reported on when those units are online, even though $150,000 of CDBG funds will be utilized this program year for acquisition costs. Annual Action Plan 2019 46 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 9 Goal Name Economic Development/Income Maximization Goal Description Economic empowerment goals are furthered by Community Action's Youth Employment Readiness Initiative ($8,000), the Center for New American's Facilitating Immigrant Economic Independence Program ($11,000), and Valley Community Development's Small Business Assistance Program ($45,000). The City will allocate $55,000 for micro-enterprises and small business assistance for businesses that employ LMI persons to keep from closing, to retain LMI jobs, purchase protective equipment, and support the creation or expansion of jobs to manufacture supplies responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Emergency small business grants up to $10,000 for each business who are experiencing urgent need. 10 Goal Name Housing Support Services Goal Description The Center for Human Development (CHD)administers two housing support programs in Northampton. The Single Room Occupancy Outreach Program addresses the needs of residents of SRO housing by providing outreach, case management, and basic needs services for the City's most vulnerable housed residents. For over 20 years, this program has prevented homelessness through housing stabilization, food security, improved health, and linkages to vital services. The numbers served are high due to those accessing the food pantry. CHD also administers the Community Housing Support Services Program. This initiative created by the Northampton Housing Partnership is in its fourth year of operation. Funded by the Community Preservation Act local funding, this program provides case management services to individuals and families at risk of eviction due to non-payment issues. Numbers served to be 25. Other housing programs include case management services to support housing stabilization reported in other goal categories, such as the McKinney Shelter Plus Care Program. Annual Action Plan 2019 47 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 11 Goal Name Addressing Basic Needs Goal Description Public social services that address basic needs include the MANNA Soup Kitchen ($4,000), the Northampton Survival Center ($12,000), and Community Action's Community Resource Advocacy Network ($5,000). The CDBG support for the Hampshire County Interfaith Shelter and the Grove Street Inn, Homeless Shelter for Individuals, is reflected in Goal #2, Support for the Emergency Shelter System. **For CDBG-CV money, $1,750 will be allocated for programs where LMI persons are given access to early childhood learning, workforce development, utility assistance, family programs, and tax assistance. MANNA will also be given an additional $5000 in CV funding for their soup kitchen. The emergency food pantry will be given $20,000 for its effort to ensure LMI persons have access to nutritious food and other services. Third-party vendors or City employees will clean up homeless site encampments in the City. This funding will also pay for storage lockers for the homeless people or those living in the shelters. These will help prepare for, prevent, and respond to the Coronavirus ($10,000). 12 Goal Name Elimination of Slums and Blight Goal Description No activity is planned this year for this category. 13 Goal Name Improvement of Public Facilities Goal Description The Northampton Housing Authority will be utilizing $40,000 in CDBG funding to accomplish handicap accessibility work at four of their public housing sites. 14 Goal Name Planning and Administration Goal Description Planning & Adminstrative costs for the adminstation of the CDBG grant to prepare for, respond to, and prevent coronavirus. Annual Action Plan 2019 48 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Projects AP-35 Projects – 91.220(d) Introduction For the CARES Act Round III program year, the City of Northampton will receive $266,402 in CDBG funds directly related to the Covid-19 pandemic from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Unexpended funds from prior program years will be reallocated and applied to projects moving forward. This amendment to the 2019 Action Plan details how CDBG funds will be spent on new projects or added to old ones to address the most urgent needs caused by the pandemic and prevent further spread of the virus. For the program year created from the CARES Act Round I, the City of Northampton received $401,400 in CDBG funds directly related to the Covid-19 pandemic from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Unexpended funds from prior program years were reallocated and applied to future projects. For the original program year July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020, the City of Northampton received $670,267 in Community Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Unexpended funds from prior program years were reallocated and applied to projects moving forward. That Action Plan detailed how CDBG funds will be spent on new projects to address priorities identified in the City's five-year Consolidated Plan as reviewed and updated. Projects # Project Name 1 Homeowner Down Payment Assistance 2 Housing Rehabilitation Program 3 Northampton Housing Authority 4 Public Infrastructure - Sidewalk Wheelchair Ramps 5 CV-Micro-Business Assistance Program 6 Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program 7 SRO Outreach 8 Employment Youth Readiness Initiative 9 Facilitating Immigrant Economic Independence 10 Community Resources & Advocacy 11 CLA Tenancy Preservation 12 CV-Passport to Success 13 MANNA Soup Kitchen 14 Grove Street Inn 15 Interfaith Winter Shelter Annual Action Plan 2019 49 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) # Project Name 16 Emergency Food Pantry 17 Administration and Planning 18 CV-Resiliency Hub Public Facilities 19 CV-Food Insecurity Project 20 CV-Emergency Food Pantry 21 CV-Rental and Utility Assistance Program 22 CV-Storage Lockers 23 CV-Emergency Homeless Services 24 CV-Administration and Planning 25 CV-Grants for Micro-enterprises Table 7 - Project Information Describe the reasons for allocation priorities and any obstacles to addressing underserved needs Many overnight shelters are closing due to staff becoming sick from Covid-19, are overcrowding, or are at their normal shut-down cycle due to the warmer weather. Additionally, all non-essential businesses, which many homeless use to get out of the weather, use bathrooms, internet, and get food are also closed. Many people are also losing their jobs due to business closures and cannot pay their rent. Therefore, supporting the emergency shelter system and homelessness prevention programs is a high priority. Northampton has a need for more deeply subsidized permanent supported housing units, particularly of the Safe Havens, Housing First models. With such a lack of those unit types, efforts geared towards housing stabilization of residents in their existing units is critical. Supporting the emergency shelter system and homelessness prevention programs is therefore a high priority. Creating Housing First units is very complicated. The traditional affordable housing developers choose not to access McKinney funding, as the Federal funding cycles are difficult to coordinate with State cycles, and all levels of funding are required to implement successful projects. If State sources can be used for the actual development costs, and McKinney funding can assist with providing subsidies for the units, that works best, but the efforts required to coordinate both is a huge obstacle. Site acquisition and control is next to impossible to obtain when funding applications are needed to purchase parcels. The timing simply does not work, unless you have a seller willing to wait several years. Northampton has seen over 125 units of affordable housing created in the last 3 years, with more in the pipeline, but the demand far exceeds the supply. Over 450 households applied for the 55 units coming online at the Lumber Yard apartments. These units, although sorely needed, are not true Housing First units that people challenged by poor rental histories, CORI records or other issues can access. The City held a large meeting to brainstorm how to create these units in Northampton and now a bi-monthly meeting is occurring with the Department of Mental Health to see if progress can be made in the Annual Action Plan 2019 50 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) coming year. This year's CDBG program, however, addresses a variety of community development components that will cumulatively have a positive impact on the quality of life for many City residents with special needs, disabilities and limited incomes. Annual Action Plan 2019 51 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) AP-38 Project Summary Project Summary Information Annual Action Plan 2019 52 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) 1 Project Name Homeowner Down Payment Assistance Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated Goals Supported Needs Addressed Affordable Homeownership for Families Funding CDBG: $33,000 Description The Valley CDC will assist income eligible households looking to purchase their first home in Northampton and provide referrals to HOME funded opportunities and State subsidized mortgage products. CDBG funds will be use to provide $4,000 down payment assistance grants to three first time home buyers. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities Three first time home buyer grants in the amount of $4,000 each to income eligible households and referrals to HOME funded homeownership assistance, including new or re-sale HOME funded opportunities. The program will address the increasing challenges that many households with limited incomes face including student loan debt and high rental costs and the strong local housing market that negatively affect their ability to obtain homeownership. 2 Project Name Housing Rehabilitation Program Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated Goals Supported Housing Rehabilitation Needs Addressed Housing Rehabilitation Resources Funding CDBG: $96,674 Description The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) will continue to administer this program and provide assistance for income eligible owner-occupied single family home owners and focus on remediation of code violations and lead paint abatement. Prior year funds will be used along with new year funding. Five units are proposed for completion. Target Date 6/30/2021 Annual Action Plan 2019 53 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 Planned Activities Repairs to heating, plumbing, electrical, roof and structural systems to remediate code violations. Lead paint abatement will be given high priority if funds allow. Up to $45,000 will be available per unit in the form of 15-year deferred payment loans. 3 Project Name Northampton Housing Authority Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated Goals Supported Housing for At-Risk and Special Needs Populations Needs Addressed Housing for At - Risk & Special Needs Populations Funding CDBG: $40,000 Description The Northampton Housing Authority will install handicap accessible ramps at three buildings located at Cahill Apartments on Fruit Street. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities Installation of ADA compliant handicap ramps at the entrances of the 3 buildings and automatic door openers. 4 Project Name Public Infrastructure - Sidewalk Wheelchair Ramps Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated Goals Supported Improvement of Public Facilities Needs Addressed Public Infrastructure Funding CDBG: $144,986 Description Design and installation of sidewalk and wheelchair ramps to bring them into conformance with current Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and American Access Board (AAB) standards. Target Date 6/30/2021 Annual Action Plan 2019 54 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 Planned Activities Replace substandard sidewalk/ road intersections with wheelchair ramps that comply with current ADA standards (concrete ramps with appropriate slopes, cross slopes, and tactile warning strips). 5 Project Name CV-Micro-Business Assistance Program Target Area Goals Supported Economic Development/Income Maximization Needs Addressed Economic Development Funding CDBG: $150,000 CDBG-CV: $20,000 Description The Valley CDC will provide technical assistance to income eligible residents interested in starting a new business or existing micro-business owners that want to improve revenue profitability. Loans, grants, or micro-enterprises assistance for businesses that employ LMI persons to keep from closing, to retain LMI jobs, purchase protective equipment, and support the creation or expansion of jobs to manufacture supplies responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Special Economic Development activities such as emergency small business grants. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities Technical assistance includes help in the preparation of business plans and financial projections; marketing; and access to financing through micro-loan programs and/or conventional financing. Workshops to build technical skills are also provided. Administration to Emergency Grant program. 6 Project Name Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program Target Area Annual Action Plan 2019 55 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs Funding CDBG: $8,000 Description The Center for Human Development (CHD) Big Brothers Big Sisters Program will create and support mentoring relationships for children with multiple risk factors in families with low and moderate incomes in Northampton. Children are referred by school personnel and other agencies. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities Mentoring relationships using a community or site-based model. Volunteer mentors and mentees meet for at least one year getting together for 3-5 hours weekly. The site-based model is Kids to Campus where mentees are matched with Smith College students. The program provides transportation for youth to weekly get togethers on the Smith College Campus. 7 Project Name SRO Outreach Target Area Goals Supported Homelessness Prevention Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention Funding CDBG: $10,000 Description The Center for Human Development (CHD) will provide outreach, case management and support for residents living in single occupancy units to achieve housing stabilization, food security, and linkages to community services. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Annual Action Plan 2019 56 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Planned Activities The Outreach Coordinator will provide comprehensive outreach and services to address housing stabilization; including crisis intervention, access to medical and mental health care, transportation to and from appointments, assistance establishing community linkages to other resources and will support the tenants being relocated from the 82 Bridge St. SRO during the renovation project. A food pantry will be open three days per week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 8 Project Name Employment Youth Readiness Initiative Target Area Goals Supported Economic Development/Income Maximization Needs Addressed Economic Development Funding CDBG: $18,000 Description Community Action will provide individual career development assistance, employment readiness training and educational workshops focused on employment in high-growth sectors for at-risk Northampton youth ages 12-24. The program will assist them to make the transition to adulthood and allow them to be financially self reliant, stay in school and/or continue to higher education. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities Individual assessments for youth to set and achieve their training and employment goals; a 15-20-hour job readiness training to gain important skills for getting jobs and being successful in the workplace; career pathways education with exploration events focusing on local high- growth employment sectors. Trainings in Green Jobs & Construction, Allied Health, Information Technology, Education and Human Services; Topical Workforce Development trainings in the workplace such as conflict resolution, worker's rights, discrimination and harassment; paid internships in their field of interest; and intra-program collaboration that offers referrals and support. 9 Project Name Facilitating Immigrant Economic Independence Target Area Annual Action Plan 2019 57 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Goals Supported Economic Development/Income Maximization Needs Addressed Economic Development Funding CDBG: $11,000 Description The Center for New Americans will offer free classes in English for speakers of other languages. Advisers will meet with students to draft an education/career plan, provide career coaching and employment search assistance. The job training leads to students and alumni filling positions in health care, hospitality and manufacturing fields for which local employers recruit them consistently. Citizenship assistance and immigration legal services are also provided. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities ESOL classes, computer instruction, career pathways classes, career advising, legal services and referrals to area support services. 10 Project Name Community Resources & Advocacy Target Area Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs Funding CDBG: $5,000 Description Community Action will provide information and referral; access to income support, including direct help with SNAP and health insurance benefits and re-determinations; payment of past due bills or moving costs to prevent homelessness; and advocacy with other public benefit systems. Target Date Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Annual Action Plan 2019 58 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Planned Activities Information and referrals; assistance/advocacy accessing public benefits; support with identifying the household’s best strategies for building economic security. Program is accessible by phone Monday-Friday, 9am- 4pm; appointments with staff are available in the office 3 days a week. 11 Project Name CLA Tenancy Preservation Target Area Goals Supported Homelessness Prevention Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention Funding CDBG: $9,000 Description Community Legal Aid (CLA) will provide free legal services to Northampton tenants with low and moderate incomes at risk of eviction and participants in rental assistance programs, such as Section 8, who are at risk of being terminated from the subsidy program. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities Free legal advocacy for preventing eviction and homelessness and securing or maintaining eligibility for subsidized housing. 12 Project Name CV-Passport to Success Target Area Goals Supported Economic Development/Income Maximization Needs Addressed Economic Development Funding CDBG: $10,000 CDBG-CV: $1,750 Description The Literacy Project, Inc will provide adult basic education (ABE) services to adults and out of school youth ages 16 and over to develop college and career readiness as pathways to economic opportunity and security. Target Date 6/30/2021 Annual Action Plan 2019 59 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities 30 low-and moderate-income people Location Description Citywide Planned Activities Services will include four levels of ABE classes; individualized education and career advising geared towards meeting students specific challenges; and activities to increase student readiness for employment and post- secondary education. Funds will support education and career advising 4 hours per week for 39 weeks. 13 Project Name MANNA Soup Kitchen Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs Funding CDBG: $4,000 Description The MANNA Soup Kitchen, Inc will provide five free meals a week (Monday-Thursday and Saturdays) with a special meal on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities 550 Location Description City wide Planned Activities Free meals every Monday-Thursday and Saturdays plus a special meal on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 14 Project Name Grove Street Inn Target Area Goals Supported Support for Emergency Shelter System Needs Addressed Support for Emergency Shelter Funding CDBG: $11,715 Description ServiceNet, Inc owns and operates a 21-bed emergency shelter serving homeless individuals. Participants may stay up to 90 days and staff provide onsite services supporting residents efforts to rebuild their lives. Annual Action Plan 2019 60 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities Overnight shelter and case management for up to 90 days. 15 Project Name Interfaith Winter Shelter Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated Goals Supported Support for Emergency Shelter System Needs Addressed Support for Emergency Shelter Funding CDBG: $12,000 Description ServiceNet, Inc in collaboration with the Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals and the City of Northampton will provide a 20-bed overnight winter emergency shelter for homeless individuals from November 1-April 30 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 am. Target Date Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities The Interfaith Winter Shelter is open from November 1st- April 30th, 6:00pm-7:00 am. IFS has showers, laundry, clothing and two meals. A nurse practitioner and social worker visit weekly and a physician monthly. Case managers support searches for housing. Day activities are provided by the Resource Center, funded separately. 16 Project Name Emergency Food Pantry Target Area No geographic Priorities Designated Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs Funding CDBG: $37,000 Annual Action Plan 2019 61 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Description The Northampton Survival Center will provide nutritionally balanced food packages for low- and -moderate income people. Clients also have weekly access to fresh bread and produce. Community Action will provide nutritious food to LMI residents. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities Access to emergency food pantry, once per month for 7 day supply of food for each member of a household. Clients may return on a weekly basis for fresh produce and bread and bakery items. A new waiting area allows for more client seating and includes a flat screen television with rotating slides on cooking videos, information about other social services in the city, and general information about wellness, nutrition, exercise and disease prevention management. A safety net fund allows extra visits within the month for those in extreme need, usually related to medical concerns. A Kids' Summer Food Program provides extra groceries for youth who rely on the schools free and reduced meal programs. 17 Project Name Administration and Planning Target Area Goals Supported Annual Action Plan 2019 62 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention Support for Emergency Shelter Rental Housing for Individuals Rental Housing for Families Preservation of Existing Affordable Rental Stock Housing Rehabilitation Resources Affordable Homeownership for Families Housing for At - Risk & Special Needs Populations Economic Development Housing Support Services Addressing Basic Needs Elimination of Slums and Blight Public Facilities Public Infrastructure Funding CDBG: $134,053 CDBG-CV: $29,272 Description Administration, planning, and monitoring of CDBG Grant Program, Housing, and Community Development activities Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities Administration of the CDBG Program, community and economic development planning activities. Of the total City population of 28,726 there at least 15% are residents whose incomes are below the poverty level and more are presumed to be LMI due being elderly, disabled, or have language barriers. This translates to at least 4,309 who are potentially eligible beneficiaries of CDBG activities and programming. 18 Project Name CV-Resiliency Hub Public Facilities Target Area Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs Improvement of Public Facilities Annual Action Plan 2019 63 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention Support for Emergency Shelter Housing Support Services Addressing Basic Needs Funding CDBG-CV: $416,824 City Funding: $1,450,000 Description The costs associated with the acquisition, rehab, and/or consultation to create a resiliency-hub to serve low- and moderate-income people and those most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather events, such as people experiencing homelessness. This resiliency hub would allow people to shelter during the day away from the weather outside and allow a space for social service agencies to meet clients. This project may also pay for another homeless shelter, as the needs of the COVID-19 pandemic dictate. This will not pay for operating costs. Target Date 7/1/2022 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities 200 people who are homeless, near homeless, low- and moderate- income, or are experiencing the affects of acute stress. This also prepares for, prevents, and responds to the Coronavirus. Location Description This will serve people Citywide, but the building will be in one location. Planned Activities The costs associated with the acquisition, rehab, and/or consultation to create a resiliency-hub to serve low- and moderate-income people and those most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather events, such as people experiencing homelessness. This resiliency hub would allow people to shelter during the day away from the weather outside and allow a space for social service agencies to meet clients. This project may also pay for another homeless shelter, as the needs of the COVID-19 pandemic dictate. This will not pay for operating costs. 19 Project Name CV-Food Insecurity Project Target Area Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs Funding CDBG-CV: $5,000 Description The MANNA Soup Kitchen, Inc will provide five free meals a week (Monday-Thursday and Saturdays) and will be used to respond to, prepare for, and prevent Coronavirus. Annual Action Plan 2019 64 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities 600 persons who are homeless, have disabilities, are low- and moderate- income, elderly, at-risk youth, or are battling addiction. Location Description Citywide Planned Activities The MANNA Soup Kitchen provides free, hot, healthy meals five days a week all year and has seen an increased need due to COVID-19. This increased funding will be to respond tok prepare for, and prevent Coronavirus. 20 Project Name CV-Emergency Food Pantry Target Area Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs Funding CDBG-CV: $20,000 Description The Northampton Survival Center will provide nutritionally balanced food packages monthly that are customized to individual's dietary needs. They have seen an increased need to due COVID-19, so this increased funding will be to prepare for, prevent, and respond to Coronavirus. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities 2,000 persons who are either homeless, elderly, have disabilities, are low- and moderate-income or at-risk youth or who have been affected by COVID-19. Location Description Citywide Planned Activities Clients can access our emergency food pantry once per month for a 7- day supply of food for each member of the household, and may return on a weekly basis for fresh produce and day-old breads and bakery items. For 10 weeks each summer the Northampton Survival Center runs a Kids' Summer Food Program which bridges the summer nutrition gap by providing extra groceries to families with youngsters who rely on their schools' free and reduced meal programs. These groceries form the basis of over 30,000 nutritious meals for children who might otherwise experience hunger during the summer break. 21 Project Name CV-Rental and Utility Assistance Program Annual Action Plan 2019 65 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Target Area Goals Supported Homelessness Prevention Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention Funding CDBG-CV: $94,956 Description Community Resources & Advocacy will meet one-onone via phone (or in person, if available) to provide a comprehensive assessment of need, help complete application for financial assistance and/or provide utility advocacy to avoid shut-off. Financial assistance for up to 3 months of consecutive rental or utility arrears to help prepare, prevent, and respond to the Coronavirus. Target Date 6/30/2022 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities 125 Location Description Citywide Planned Activities Community Resources & Advocacy will meet one-on-one via phone (or in person, if available) to provide a comprehensive assessment of need, help complete application for financial assistance and/or provide utility advocacy to avoid shut-off. Financial assistance for up to 3 months of consecutive rental or utility arrears to help prepare, prevent, and respond to the Coronavirus. 22 Project Name CV-Storage Lockers Target Area Goals Supported Addressing Basic Needs Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs Funding CDBG-CV: $5,000 Description This funding will pay storage lockers for homeless people. This may be run by social service provider or the City. This will be prepare for, prevent, and respond to the Coronavirus. Target Date 6/30/2022 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities 20 homeless people or those using the shelter system Annual Action Plan 2019 66 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Location Description Location has not been determined yet. Planned Activities This funding will pay storage lockers for homeless people. This may be run by social service provider or the City. This will be prepare for, prevent, and respond to the Coronavirus. 23 Project Name CV-Emergency Homeless Services Target Area Goals Supported Support for Emergency Shelter System Needs Addressed Support for Emergency Shelter Funding CDBG-CV: $5,000 Description The City will use CBDG funds to cleanup homeless sites throughout the City that are a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of residents. Funds may also be used to pay for other services that will benefit the needs of the homeless and prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This project will help prepare for, respond to, and prevent the Coronavirus. Target Date 6/30/2022 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities 25 homeless people Location Description Locations are not determined until they have been identified, but they could be anywhere in the City. Planned Activities The City will use CBDG funds to cleanup homeless sites throughout the City that are a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of residents. Funds may also be used to pay for other services that will benefit the needs of the homeless and prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This project will help prepare for, respond to, and prevent the Coronavirus. 24 Project Name CV-Administration and Planning Target Area Annual Action Plan 2019 67 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Goals Supported Homelessness Prevention Support for Emergency Shelter System Rental Housing for Families Rental Housing for Individuals Preservation of Existing Affordable Rental Stock Housing Rehabilitation Affordable Homeownership for Families Housing for At-Risk and Special Needs Populations Economic Development/Income Maximization Housing Support Services Addressing Basic Needs Elimination of Slums and Blight Improvement of Public Facilities Planning and Administration Needs Addressed Funding CDBG-CV: $44,272 Description Planning and administrations expenses related to responding to, preparing for, and preventing the Coronavirus. Target Date 6/30/2023 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Location Description Planned Activities Administration of the CDBG Program, community, and economic development planning activities. Of the total City population of 28,726, at least 15% are residents whose incomes are below the poverty level. More are presumed to be LMI due to being elderly, disabled, or have language barriers. This translates to at least 4,309 who are potentially eligible beneficiaries of CDBG activities and programming. These funds will be used to prepare, prevent, and respond to the coronavirus. 25 Project Name CV-Grants for Micro-enterprises Target Area Goals Supported Economic Development/Income Maximization Needs Addressed Economic Development Funding CDBG-CV: $55,000 Annual Action Plan 2019 68 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Description Grant money for grants micro-enterprises businesses that employ LMI persons to keep from closing, to retain LMI jobs, purchase equipment, and support the creation or expansion of jobs. Target Date 6/30/2021 Estimate the number and type of families that will benefit from the proposed activities Up to 22 businesses assisted Location Description Citywide Planned Activities The Office of Planning & Sustainability will administer grant money for loans, grants, or micro-enterprises assistance for businesses that employ LMI persons to keep from closing, to retain LMI jobs, purchase equipment, and support the creation or expansion of jobs. Annual Action Plan 2019 69 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 CDBG Round III funds were allocated to meet the needs that were identified from citizen participation, consultation with service providers, and from public health experts analysis of challenges for the upcoming winter months. The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing and the report on panhandling were both completed in 2019. Both those planning efforts have yielded new areas of need where funding should be directed. Census tracts of more than 20% minority population are defined as areas of minority concentration. Using One CPD and drafts of the AI, several census blocks groups have been identified in Northampton as environmental justice populations, showing as minority, income, or minority & income populations. There are areas of concentration of minority populations in tracts where the Housing Authority properties are located, such as Hampshire Heights (79 units) and Florence Heights (49). Meadowbrook Apartments (252) and Hathaway Farms (207) also contain racially and ethnically diverse resident populations. The Community Development Planner worked closely with the Housing Authority to encourage their participation in the CDBG Program. This collaboration resulted in a $95,000 CDBG award. Members of the Housing Partnership are also working with the NHA staff and residents of Hampshire Heights to prepare a Community Preservation Act application for play equipment at the development. Casa Latina ceased to operate during the last program year, and the core services of advocating for the Latino residents in Hampshire County has transferred to Community Action. As that role shift solidifies, the City will advocate for additional funding to ensure that outreach continues to occur to serve the Hispanic community in Northampton and beyond. Geographic Distribution Target Area Percentage of Funds No geographic Priorities Designated 100 Table 8 - Geographic Distribution Rationale for the priorities for allocating investments geographically The Public Service programs that are funded by CDBG all deliver their services city-wide. Northampton is a small city, so, there are no clearly defined larger geographic areas with high need. Sub-recipients do employ targeted outreach strategies to areas, to reach populations that face more challenges than the community at large, however. Properties participating in the Housing Rehab Program have been served on a first come first served Annual Action Plan 2019 70 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) basis. Their locations have been widely dispersed across the City. If funding allows the rehab program to continue, there may be neighborhoods defined in the future as places to concentrate rehab efforts, for a more comprehensive revitalization strategy. Discussion The City's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, currently being updated by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, could potentially identify areas within the City where resources need to be directed. PVPC has an in-house data center, so the Census data, American Community Survey data and other relevant data sources that exist, will be examined extensively. The timing of the completion of this report will assist in the preparation of a new 5-year Consolidated Plan in 2020. Annual Action Plan 2019 71 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 newly created 55 apartments at the Lumber Yard Apartments. The bulk of the applications were from those with the lowest income levels. Rent up at Live 155 last year looked similar. The demand for the units renting at the 30% of area median income level and below, is huge. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher list maintained at the Northampton Housing Authority has been closed since 2014. There are 229 households on that waiting list. The NHA does not plan to open that list for at least three years from now. The wait for Federal and State housing units at the NHA for both elderly/disabled and families is at least two years. Although the NHA states they do not have enough resources to participate in the small area Fair Market Rent program, they do utilize a 108% rate on the 2018 FMR's, which was implemented last year. This increased rate significantly improved the ability for new voucher holders to lease up with area landlords. There was a drop in the Fair Market rents in 2019 but the NHA did not change their payment standard to reflect the loss, therefore no voucher holders were negatively impacted. The Northampton Housing Authority owns and manages 619 affordable units in Northampton. There are 50 units of Federal family housing (Florence Heights), 80 units of State family housing (Hampshire Heights), 60 Federal Elderly 62+and Disabled (McDonald House) and 377 State units of elderly 60+/Disabled located in Forsander, Cahill Apts., Tobin Manor and Salvo House. The NHA also administers 6 projected based MRVP vouchers (Mass Rental Voucher Program) and 856 Housing Choice Vouchers. Northampton continues to work diligently with community partners to create housing opportunities in the City. If actual units are not added every year, projects enter the pipeline. Between the Live 155 Development (70 units, 48 affordable) the Lumber Yard Apartments (55), Village Hill (65 new; 220+ total), the Sergeant House (16 new), the Northampton Teen Housing Project (8), 214 units will have or will be completed, in a five year period. One Year Goals for the Number of Households to be Supported Homeless 324 Non-Homeless 3,400 Special-Needs 40 Total 3,764 Table 9 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Requirement One Year Goals for the Number of Households Supported Through Rental Assistance 1,780 Annual Action Plan 2019 72 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) One Year Goals for the Number of Households Supported Through The Production of New Units 24 Rehab of Existing Units 15 Acquisition of Existing Units 0 Total 1,819 Table 10 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Type Discussion It is difficult to provide an accurate count, depending on how HUD defines "households to be supported" and people served often utilize multiple services in a one year period. For instance, someone might attend MANNA meals while living in an SRO unit and being assisted by the SRO Outreach Coordinator. The number of homeless households to be supported is the tally of the anticipated annual number to be served at the Grove Street Inn (90) and the Hampshire County Interfaith Winter Shelter (200) , as well as the 17 emergency shelter beds administered by Soldier On (assuming one turnover) 17x2=34). The beds at Safe Passage's Emergency Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence (capacity of 6 families) are not reflected, as not all participants are considered homeless. The number of non-homeless to be supported is the tally of all public service grantees annual counts from last year, minus the two shelter counts. The number of special needs households to be supported is an estimate of the number of Department of Mental Health and Department of Developmental Services residential units in the community; the exact number of each will not be verified by either system, or the Dept. of Housing and Community Development. The rental assistance number is the count from the Northampton Housing Authority relative to VASH (285) and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (874). The numbers administered by other Housing Authorities are not available. The number of newly produced units reflects the 4 units in the newly constructed Northampton TeenHousing building (housing and support services for unaccompanied homeless youth), the 16 new units at the 82 Bridge Street /Sergeant House SRO building and 4 new Habitat homeownership units (Glendale Road). The 4 units brought online last year in the existing building for the TeenHousing project, are not reflected here. The 15 existing units at the Sergeant House being renovated into enhanced SRO units are reflected in the "Rehab of Existing Units" line. No existing units are proposed for acquisition in this program year. Annual Action Plan 2019 73 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) AP-60 Public Housing – 91.220(h) Introduction Actions planned during the next year to address the needs to public housing The Northampton Housing Authority plans on undertaking the following projects in the 2019-2020 program year: Federal Properties: McDonald House - Elevator replacement Phase 1 and generator replacement Florence Heights - Installation of new siding; cabinet, countertop and appliance replacement State Properties: Salvo House - Power wash the exterior, installation of security cameras in the elevators Hampshire Heights - Basement water mitigation and Phase 1 of window replacements Cahill Apartments - Installation of handicap access ramps at the entrances to 3 buildings in the development Actions to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership <div style="direction: ltr;">When homeownership and down payment assistance opportunities are presented, such as through the Wayfinder’s Housing Consumer Education Center, the Northampton Housing Authority publicizes these opportunities to the residents. The NHA formally recognized the creation of a Tenants Association at Hampshire Heights (State family housing development) and continues to work with McDonald House, and Forsander Tenant Associations. A meeting is also held yearly for federal properties for the Capital Fund Program, to solicit input on needed renovation projects.</div><div style="direction: ltr;"></div><div style="direction: ltr;">The NHA participates in the dissemination of smoking cessation materials when tenants move into a unit and continues to install smoking shelters at developments annually as needed. The NHA sponsors tenant events, produces a newsletter, works with the State's LEAP program for increasing educational attainment for residents of Hampshire Heights. The NHA will launch a website in August of 2019 which will allow increased communication with management and greater access to policies and procedures for residents. A new Resident Services Coordinator was hired in June of 2019 for the two family developments; Hampshire Annual Action Plan 2019 74 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Heights and Florence Heights. With the ongoing collaborations, NHA residents will become more engaged in the management of their housing and seek out and utilize increased resources to achieve enhanced economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.</div> If the PHA is designated as troubled, describe the manner in which financial assistance will be provided or other assistance The Northampton Housing Authority is not designated as "troubled". Discussion The Northampton Housing Partnership, through the leadership of member Edgar Cancel, is working collaboratively with Housing Authority staff and residents to install playground equipment at Hampshire Heights. An application to the Community Preservation Committee will be submitted in September of 2019 for the project. This project will tie in with a community gardens program being implemented by residents with assistance from Healthy Hampshire. Florence Heights will be examined as well, for possible outdoor opportunities there. The NHA was encouraged this spring to apply for CDBG funding for physical plant improvements at other properties. This manifested in an award of $95,000 of CDBG dollars to accomplish handicap accessibility enhancements at several Housing Authority properties. Annual Action Plan 2019 75 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities – 91.220(i) Introduction Describe the jurisdictions one-year goals and actions for reducing and ending homelessness including Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs The City of Northampton works in close partnership with Eliot Homeless Services. Eliot is the selected vendor with the Statewide contract from the Department of Mental Health to administer the PATH Program (Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness). This grant provides street outreach clinicians in these Western Mass. communities - Pittsfield, Greenfield, Amherst, Northampton, Holyoke, Westfield and Springfield. The PATH worker in Northampton has been in the position more than 20 years and knows the population well. The clinician works closely with the Northampton Police Department, Tapestry Health and ServiceNet, Inc. to link clients with needed services and housing search. He is part of a group that assembles for case conferencing through HUD's coordinated entry system and they prioritize chronically homeless people for housing placement and services. The PATH worker attends the Housing and Community Development Planner’s monthly Next Step Collaborative meetings and provides up to date information on the numbers and locations of people living outside. This helps guide outreach activities and informs the City about whether the existing shelter capacity will be enough for the season. They visit camps and conducts engagement and assessment activities. During the day, unsheltered people can access the Hampshire County Resource Center for additional case management work. Dial-Self, the area agency serving homeless unaccompanied youth, employs staff that conduct outreach. Their workers connect with young people at meal and shelter sites. There are plans to enhance outreach to the encampments and expand the interdisciplinary team beyond the Eliot Clinician to include Tapestry staff (syringe use/safe disposal, opioid treatment) and ServiceNet Resource Center staff (service linkages and housing search). The Community Development Planner is monitoring a protocol that was developed last year with the City's Department of Public Works, the Board of Health, the Building Inspection office, the Office of Planning & Sustainability and Eliot Homeless Services to coordinate the response of City departments to the encampments. The number of unsheltered homeless living outside is increasing and Army Corps lands and conservation restricted lands are unable to host camps. The Police and EMS personnel sometimes need to access areas that have been blocked off for conservation purposes. DPW and Planning & Sustainability personnel must go in and clean up abandoned camps where there may be trash and used drug paraphernalia. The effort here is to have social service providers engage with Annual Action Plan 2019 76 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) campers to inform them if the camp needs to be vacated, so they can access services or at least protect their personal items and documents. Another goal is to protect campers and workers from potentially harmful camp conditions. Smith College has agreed to utilize the outreach team for assessment and engagement of people living in camps on property owned by the College. Planning & Sustainability has cleaned up 3 sites so far this year, and the outreach team was able to engage with inhabitants beforehand and make service linkages. Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons ServiceNet, Inc., the administrator of the year-round Grove Street Inn Emergency Shelter for Individuals and the Hampshire County Interfaith Winter Shelter (in partnership with the Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals) struggles to keep both programs operational. HUD's focus on permanent supported housing negates the fact that not everyone is ready for permanent housing. There is still a need for emergency shelters and transitional housing programs. ESG and CDBG are two of the only sources to fund emergency shelters. ServiceNet must utilize private donations, and other agency funds to cover costs. Transitional housing was a successful model that allowed intensive case management and the time needed for people to hone the skills needed for long term housing stability. Most of all the prior transitional housing programs funded through the Continuum of Care have been converted to permanent supported housing units, to conform with HUD's funding priorities. As a result, the only transitional housing programs with a 24-month length of stay limit operating in Northampton are the 163 beds managed by Soldier On at the VA Medical Campus which includes 16 units recently created for women Veterans and their children. Northampton does not have a generic emergency shelter for families, and there are no families living in encampments that have been discovered to date. As a result, most of the City's homeless services coordination work is focused on individuals. There is a need for increased services for women, as there is an increasing number of women in the shelters. Many have been traumatized by domestic violence and have mental health and substance use disorder challenges. There are couples living outside as well, because if they go into shelter, they will be separated. The Safe Passage shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children is always full and the Center for Human Development's Grace House for women in recovery and their children, is always at full capacity. There is also a need to accommodate people living unsheltered with pets. It is virtually impossible however, to encourage an agency to create new programming to address these needs, due to the insufficient funding sources that exist for emergency shelter programs. With the two downtown shelters for individuals in Northampton, and the satellite overflow site ServiceNet oversees at a church in Easthampton as well as Craig's Doors in Amherst, there are no plans currently to increase shelter capacity this coming year. During the coldest days this past winter, ServiceNet was able to accommodate the numbers in need between the three sites. Annual Action Plan 2019 77 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) The City facilitated a meeting in January of last year to brainstorm the development of a Safe Havens model in Northampton. Several small projects in existing homes housing 4-6 participants each, in a true Housing First model, is the City's goal. Bi-weekly meetings are being held with the Department of Mental Health to see if at least one project can get underway. Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals and families to affordable housing units, and preventing individuals and families who were recently homeless from becoming homeless again The City utilizes the Hampshire County Resource Center, located at 43 Center Street, administered by ServiceNet, Inc. as the main entry point for homeless individuals to access services. The Center has case managers, Health Care for the Homeless nurses and doctors and a benefits specialist. Food, laundry and showers are available. During the winter months, the space also houses the Hampshire Interfaith Winter Shelter with capacity for 22 individuals. The Center for Human Development now manages permanent supported housing units through the CoC, to which referrals can be made. (ServiceNet gave up their McKinney allocation of $600,000 annually/60 units and CHD has stepped in to continue that administration). As part of the implementation of the new coordinated entry system, there is now a 1-800 number to call for service referral. REACH meetings (Regional Engagement and Assessment of Chronically Homeless people) have evolved into Coordinated Entry meetings. Relevant service providers meet weekly and monthly to assess and place chronically homeless people when housing placements exist. The City's Veterans Agent participates when Veterans are identified in need of assistance. Dial/Self staff participate when someone between the ages of 18-24 present for services. Jessie's House in Amherst addresses the needs of families finding themselves homeless, through referrals from the Department of Transitional Assistance. Grace House in Northampton houses women in recovery and their children through a closed referral process from the Department of Public Health. Safe Passage serves those affected by domestic violence. All these programs work with participants to assess their needs and provide case management with the goal of helping them transition to permanent housing and independent living. The length of stay depends on how quickly a participant can address the obstacles they face that may prevent them from accessing housing, and the availability of a unit. The City is cognizant of the need for housing, to facilitate the ability of people to move forward and out of homelessness. The renovation and expansion of the Sergeant House SRO (82 Bridge Street), the new construction of Live 155 and the Lumber Yard Apartments, the Northampton Teen Housing Program through Dial Self, and the new rental housing proposed for Village Hill are all developments that will increase the number of housing opportunities available to those income eligible and housing ready households, creating movement in the community. True Housing First units are now being prioritized for Annual Action Plan 2019 78 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) development. The CDBG funded public service agencies doing housing stabilization work (SRO Outreach, Community Legal Aid), the CPC funded Community Housing Support Services Program and Resident Service Coordinators at the Housing Authority and larger apartment complexes, all work diligently to prevent people from returning to homelessness. This section heading speaks to goals achievable only with the presence of an active, fully resourced support services network. It is very difficult to find adequate resources to fund the types of staff positions focused on housing stabilization. Federal and State agencies need to fully support funding these positions. It is difficult locally as well, as the Community Preservation Committee prefers to fund projects, vs. positions. Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely low-income individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); or, receiving assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs. Public systems that have adopted policies stating they will not discharge people into homelessness can only implement this practice if there are other options. Each of these systems should contribute to creating these options. For example, people being released from the correctional system, should have a system of next step housing in the community for their inmates to access. Similarly, enough numbers of mental health recovery residences, and detox beds, need to exist. These public systems cannot depend on being able to refer people to local shelters, because rarely is there an open bed. Prevention and diversion strategies only work when other resource options are available. The City will continue to work with the Regional Network on those broader systemic solutions. In the limited capacity that it can, the City will continue to support, with CDBG funding and advocacy, the SRO Outreach Program and the Community Legal Aid Homeless Prevention Program, to allow them to work with residents whose tenancies are at risk. The SRO Outreach Coordinator can help a tenant mediate a dispute with a landlord to avoid eviction, and the CLA Attorneys conduct advocacy at Housing Court which often results in payment plans to preserve the tenancy. The City, through the Community Preservation Committee will continue to support the Community Housing Support Services Program that works with court involved residents facing eviction for non-payment issues. The CPC awarded the program an additional year of funding that expires in 2020. These programs serve more than 100 households annually and have very high success rates for preserving tenancies. Social workers from the Cooley Dickinson Hospital attend the Next Step Collaborative meetings to network with service providers. They will contact ServiceNet to identify available beds prior to releasing a patient into homelessness. Soldier On will pick up any Veteran being released from the Hampshire County House of Corrections, who does not have a place to go identified. The City's Veterans Agent does Annual Action Plan 2019 79 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) extensive case management and works closely with Soldier On and the Northampton Housing Authority who administers the regions VASH units. The City also advocates for and utilizes the State funded Tenancy Preservation Program that works with households at risk in the Pioneer Valley. They have developed an expertise around assisting tenants at risk of eviction due to hoarding issues. Dial/Self works closely with the Department of Families and Children, and the Department of Youth Services to address youth being discharged from the foster care system. Dial/Self provides housing and support services to this population and the first 4 of their 8 units on Hatfield Street are now operational. The new building, to be completed in the fall (2019) will provide 4 additional residential units, as well as a common area and office space for case management services for at risk unaccompanied homeless youth. Most of the public services agencies funded by the City with CDBG directly or indirectly prevent homelessness. Increasing language competency to secure work and economic self-sufficiency, accessing free food to be better able to afford housing costs, preparing at risk youth for employment opportunities and career paths, are some examples. Enhancing self-worth, life skills and educational attainment for better employment, are all critical components to having stable housing and healthy livelihoods. Discussion CDBG funding will continue to be provided to the City's two shelters for staffing. The Community Development Planner works with the Interfaith Shelter's Management Committee which oversees the operation of the winter shelter, in conjunction with ServiceNet, Inc. and the Friends of the Homeless. Collaborative advocacy and support will be provided to Safe Passage for the operation of their emergency family shelter for victims of domestic violence and to Soldier On for their emergency and transitional beds that serve men and women Veterans. The Community Development Planner will continue to facilitate monthly meetings with the City's homeless service providers at the Next Step Collaborative, to ensure services are coordinated and utilized effectively. City updates are provided about the production of new units, which is the key to successful movement for people working to exit homelessness. Elders who may be at risk are served by Highland Valley Elder Services, the Northampton Housing Authority, Northampton's Council on Aging and the Senior Center. Services include home modification grants/loan to age in place, home delivered meals, public housing and outreach, education and socialization opportunities. The EARN program, formerly supported by CDBG and now self-sufficient, provides an opportunity for income maximization for elders not able to survive on Social Security or savings alone after retirement. Households with members who are disabled can be served by Stavros Center for Independent Living, the Department of Developmental Services and the Mass. Rehabilitation Commission. Households with members experiencing mental health issues are served by ServiceNet, Inc., Community Support Options Annual Action Plan 2019 80 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) and the Department of Mental Health. A newly created and opened Recovery Center located at 2 Gleason Plaza serves as a day drop in and resource center for those in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. DMH and DDS have residential programs that operate in the City, with 24/7- hour staffing supports. The Department of Public Health opened a detox facility three years ago in Greenfield, which increased the bed capacity for those in need of such a facility and treatment. Gandara Mental Health Center operates Hairston House, the Alliance for Sober Living and the Maple Avenue house in Northampton for those in recovery from substance use. Victims of domestic violence access Safe Passage for emergency hot line information and referrals, emergency shelter, legal advocacy and case management services. People living with HIV/Aids can be served by A Positive Place for housing subsidies and support services which operates out of Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. With all the newly created affordable housing units in Northampton, as well as those in the pipeline, none function as true housing first units - where people are met where they are, with less than stellar landlord histories, active addiction issues, poor credit histories or other challenges. Those are the units the City still needs to create, to accomplish any significant movement of people out of the emergency shelter system. Tenant selection policies, multi-year waiting lists and insufficient incomes to afford "affordable" housing, remain huge obstacles to truly addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The irony is, we need to create the kind of homes that used to exist, where people who just needed a small, affordable safe place to live their lives, without excessive scrutiny, could reside in our community. Annual Action Plan 2019 81 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) AP-75 Barriers to affordable housing – 91.220(j) Introduction: Actions it planned to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the return on residential investment "Unlocking Opportunity - An Assessment of Barriers to Fair Housing Choice in Northampton" will be completed by June 30, 2019. The project began in the summer of 2018. The consultant working with the Northampton Housing Partnership is the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. City staff and Partnership members, in conjunction with PVPC successfully assembled and facilitated 10 stakeholder sessions, 4 focus groups, a lively public session as well as a survey to accomplish community engagement. The recommendations and actions that the report will articulate will form the base of work for the Housing Partnership moving forward. The Housing Partnership serves as the City's Fair Housing Committee and members have been very involved in this process. Some of the barriers identified in the Draft Report are as follows: Rising cost of housing, substandard housing and lead paint, complexity of accessing the affordable housing system, jobs/employment and a living wage, the need for units accessible to people aging and people with disabilities, cultural awareness and language access, lack of knowledge and public education regarding fair housing rights, the need for more two+ bedroom homes, discrimination based on race and country of origin, local preferences at the Northampton Housing Authority limiting regional mobility, service agencies being under resourced and understaffed, the need for resources to improve credit scores, limited public transportation options and housing struggles faced by people leaving correctional facilities. Other areas related to zoning and development are being examined, although most of the barriers within the control of City departments have been ameliorated. The report recommendations will be presented to the City Council in the fall, as they are the body that provided funding for the effort. The Housing Partnership will build in implementation updates to its monthly agendas. The Zoning Sub- Committee of the Housing Partnership will work closely with the Office of Planning & Sustainability to implement any zoning revisions that result from the fair housing analysis, such as making the creation of multi-family units permissible by right in all zoning districts. The Massachusetts Fair Housing Center will continue to do community education and outreach at various venues in Northampton during the next program year and will process complaints of discrimination originating in the City. The Housing Partnership will hold an educational session in the fall for local landlords to learn about support services available should they choose to house a Veteran with Annual Action Plan 2019 82 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) a VASH voucher, or a person exiting homelessness. Building code issues, fair housing law and lead paint abatement information will also be presented. Discussion: Annual Action Plan 2019 83 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) AP-85 Other Actions – 91.220(k) Introduction: The City can and will play a critical role in facilitating communication and collaboration in the face of limited community resources. It is imperative that our service delivery system operate as efficiently and effectively as possible to meet the needs of residents. The City will support people and organizations carrying out public service programming, preserving and creating affordable housing, increasing peoples economic self-sufficiency, enhancing public facilities and infrastructure to improve the life quality of people that may be underserved, have insufficient incomes and/or face challenges that hinder them from achieving their goals. Actions planned to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs Specifically, the City will support and participate in the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness, the Rural Three County Continuum of Care, the Next Step Collaborative, the Northampton Housing Partnership and the committees of the Network, to stay informed and proactive on a regional and local level. This involvement informs the work of the Mayor's Office and relevant City departments to ensure that local government is an active and responsive partner in addressing obstacles faced by people facing challenges. As identified in last year's Action Plan, a high priority need is for housing and services for women. Dialogue will continue to occur with Safe Passage to determine if they are interested in developing housing options for victims of domestic violence. To date, the agency has focused on consolidating and renovating new office space and do not have housing development as a part of their strategic plan, at this time. The creation of true housing first units, perhaps in congregate settings, like the old Safe Havens model will be pursued in the new program year. At a meeting held by the City in January of 2019, 30+ attendees began to brainstorm this topic. The traditional non-profit housing developers expressed no desire to enter this realm. The One Stop Applications typically submitted by these entities (Valley CDC and Way Finders) will not fund smaller projects. The Sergeant House Project ( 31 units ) will be a $7 million project; the Lumber Yard Project ( 55 units of affordable housing ) is a $19 million project, as was Live 155 ( 70 units ). The State's newly created Community Scale Initiative Program will be providing funding for the 35 Village Hill Road mixed income mixed use project which will contain 12 units. But true Housing First units, that really should not be developed without solid support services dollars, are hard to create. The non-profit housing developers have said that HUD's McKinney funding works better for subsidies than for development, but it is difficult to utilize HUD funds. This is because coordinating HUD funding cycles (where the dollars are not actually forthcoming for a year or more, as one applies in advance) with the State funds needed for the development costs, are very hard to mesh. Due to the time delays Annual Action Plan 2019 84 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) for all funding decisions, it is very hard for a non-profit to ask a seller to wait, as few have the funds for acquisition at the ready, when a property becomes available. As a result, local discussion will be about how to utilize CDBG and CPC dollars to purchase existing homes and work to identify where support service dollars can come from. There is new movement in the health care realm, as Accountable Care Organizations, through hospital systems have service dollars available. CSO (Community Support Options) a regional mental health agency has received a three-year SAMHSA grant that has created local clinics that can provide services to the homeless and others, and can make home visits to people who have difficulty coming to the clinic settings. Much energy is required to knit all the disparate components together to create these supported housing opportunities, but the City is committed. The City will support with CDBG funds, the agencies that provide direct front line services to those finding themselves most in need in our community. The on-going communication with those entities through meetings and interactive monitoring sessions facilitates coordinated responses to meeting the needs of those underserved. The City will work with the Mass Fair Housing Center to insure people who feel they have been discriminated against have a path for recourse. The City will also work with the Northampton Housing Authority staff and Board of Commissioners to support their efforts to maximize opportunities for self-sufficiency for their residents. Actions planned to foster and maintain affordable housing The Department of Housing and Community Development's Subsidized Housing Inventory of formally subsidized housing units is monitored continually by the Director of Planning & Sustainability, the Community Development Planner and the Housing Partnership. Work was done last year to try to preserve affordability at Leeds Village Apartments. City staff worked with the Holyoke Housing Authority to assign some Mobility to Work vouchers to the property. The subsidy amount was not high enough for the owner to agree to accept. The property will continue to serve residents with vouchers, but the efforts to project base some subsidies was not successful. No other expiring use dates are occurring in the next decade, as most of the newer projects are affordable in perpetuity, or don't expire until 2030 and after. Recent funding expenditures to foster affordable housing creation are still being implemented. CDBG and Community Preservation Act funding has been allocated in the past few years with projects coming to fruition regularly. Live 155 (70 units/ $150,000 CDBG) opened last spring (2018); the Lumber Yard Apartments (55 units/$200,000 CDBG) is opening in June of 2019; the Friends of the Homeless-Dial/Self Teen Housing Project for unaccompanied homeless youth will complete its second phase and have 8 units available this fall (2019/ $65,000 CDBG); Village Hill North (53 units/$150,000 CDBG) is awaiting funding from the State for a One Stop application submitted in February of 2019; 35 Village Hill Road (12 units) is fully funded and will begin construction this summer (2019). Construction has just begun on the renovation/expansion of the Sergeant House SRO (31 units/$150,000 CDBG) and will be available for occupancy next March (2020). The 4 new homes being produced by Habitat for Humanity will all be on line by mid 2020 ($135,000 CDBG). Annual Action Plan 2019 85 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Actions planned to reduce lead-based paint hazards The City's Housing Rehabilitation Program will continue to include lead paint abatement as an eligible activity. All units addressed by the program are tested for lead, and abatement occurs when required. The program parameter of permitting up to $45,000 to be spent per unit was designed specifically to be able to address lead paint abatement if needed. The City's Board of Health continues to maintain the data base they created, to have an up to date inventory of units that have been certified as lead free. The annual letter from the Mayor to every landlord in the community thanking them for their contribution to the housing inventory contains information on lead paint laws and resources for abatement. Levels of childhood lead poisoning remain low according to the State's Department of Public Health, but the City is aware that lead paint is a silent discriminator when landlords refuse units to families so they can avoid removing lead. The public education campaign that will result from the Analysis of Impediments report will address increasing information dissemination about this illegal practice. Actions planned to reduce the number of poverty-level families The City will work to support the MANNA Soup Kitchen, the SRO Outreach Program Food Pantry and the Northampton Survival Center to address food insecurity and free up income for housing costs. The Literacy Project, The Center for New Americans and Community Action's Youth Employment Readiness Program will assist residents with economic empowerment. Valley CDC's Small Business Assistance Program helps people with low incomes to start businesses to increase household income and create jobs. This program, typically in receipt of $10,000 in CDBG funds each year, was allocated $20,000 this year to enhance the program offerings. The City's Community Preservation Committee will continue to fund the Community Housing Support Services Program this year. The CHSSP Manager works with court involved families facing eviction for non-payment issues. Working intensively with each family, the goal is to impart information to develop financial budgeting skills, life skills and maximize earning potential that will move a family out of crisis into housing stability and hopefully out of poverty. The Northampton City Council supports the work of the Living Wage Campaign and publicly acknowledges employers in the community that pay a living wage. The Pioneer Valley Workers Center advocates for disenfranchised workers to secure higher pay and safe and respectful work environments. They do education and outreach to insure employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities and strives to improve employer/employee relationships. CDBG funds have been allocated this year to Community Action's Resource and Advocacy Center (formerly First Call for Help) where people can call in and receive direct assistance to access resources and benefits. Bi-lingual staff are available to serve the Latinx community, as Community Action has absorbed some of the services formerly delivered by Casa Latina, which has been dissolved. The City and Annual Action Plan 2019 86 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Community Legal Aid have been active in securing local services from Way Finders in Housing Court and for RAFT application intakes, so local service providers and clients don't have to drive to Springfield to access those resources. There is also an effort to identify a location for a laptop/kiosk sponsored by the Department of Transitional Assistance so people can access SNAP benefits online, without having to go to the Holyoke office to apply. Actions planned to develop institutional structure With regular monthly meetings of the Northampton Housing Partnership, the Next Step Collaborative, the Chronically Homeless Coordinated Entry meetings and the various monthly meetings of the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness (services for individuals, families, youth, Veterans), the Office of Planning & Sustainability stays current on issues. The quarterly meetings of the Valley CDC Property Management and Service Providers and other regional meetings such as the Pioneer Valley Regional Planning Commission's Housing Plan Implementation Committee, the Inclusive Communities Advisory Group and COSA/Council on Social Service agencies; provide additional input. The Next Step Collaborative meetings are attended by providers working with sheltered and unsheltered people, Veterans, people with HIV/Aids, residents of the SRO's, homeless and formerly homeless consumers. The Housing Partnership is composed of a landlord, a clergy person, a legal aid attorney, a retired VA Social Worker, a Housing Authority tenant, a domestic violence professional, and interested citizens. The information about needs and City priorities is funneled to the Mayor's Office through all these interactions. The institutional structure that exists is comprehensive and effective. City collaborations have been enhanced by connections to other departments and boards; a requirement by the Community Preservation Committee that all housing proposals be reviewed by the Housing Partnership; the presence of Planning & Sustainability staff on the Technical Review process which provides a venue for project proponents to have their plans reviewed by City departments and boards prior to official submission; and a closer worker relationship with the Northampton Housing Authority. Actions planned to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service agencies The City will continue to support the Community Housing Support Services Program which works primarily with tenants of the Northampton Housing Authority and Meadowbrook Apartments. Close collaboration with the property managers, resident services coordinators, attorneys and case managers to accomplish housing stabilization saves money and stress for all parties involved. The Coordinator will work on budgeting, life skills and income maximization to assist residents with housing stabilization. Property managers support the CHSSP program, as it results in less eviction cases, legal costs and unit turnover expenses. Meetings will be held with the Center for Human Development during the next program year to identify future funding once the CPC funds are exhausted (mid 2020). Annual Action Plan 2019 87 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) The City will continue to support and attend the sessions between the Valley CDC and Wayfinders as they meet with social service providers engaged in housing stabilization efforts for their tenants. These affordable housing developers and property managers strive to support their tenants to prevent evictions. The Community Development Planner attends these meetings to identify broader issues that the City can address through workshops, training and networking collaborations. For example, City staff made the linkages between Easthampton Savings Bank, Meadowbrook Apartments and the CHSSP Coordinator to sponsor a financial literacy workshop for Meadowbrook residents. Wayfinders will be managing the Lumber Yard Apartments and the Sergeant House for Valley CDC when those projects are completed. This is in addition to their own properties - Paradise Pond Apartments, the Earle Street SRO, Live 155 and the Lorraine SRO at 96 Pleasant Street. Valley utilizes HMR Property Management for the Maples, Millbank, the King Street SRO and the School Street apartments. HMR is familiar with social service agencies providing housing stabilization work for tenants and all interface collaboratively. Valley CDC and Wayfinders also work in partnership to develop, own and manage affordable housing for the City and region. The City will continue to work with the Northampton Housing Authority's Resident Services Coordinators to insure they are aware of local resources to enhance self-sufficiency for their tenants. The NHA recently hired an RSC for Hampshire Heights, in addition to Florence Heights, to serve the families in their public housing developments, an exciting step forward. The City is actively working to identify grant sources to install playground equipment at Hampshire Heights and has secured design services for schematics to use for grant applications. The Coordinated Entry meetings have identified the need for more landlords to be willing to accept chronically homeless people. The City will participate in adjusting the agenda at the annual landlord workshop in the fall of 2019 to add the Veterans Agent, ServiceNet and other providers who wish to address this gathering. The City's Veterans agent has presented in the past, to encourage landlords to utilize VASH vouchers and come forward to house homeless Veterans. The same can be done for other sub-populations at this venue. Discussion: Annual Action Plan 2019 88 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) Program Specific Requirements AP-90 Program Specific Requirements – 91.220(l)(1,2,4) Introduction: Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Reference 24 CFR 91.220(l)(1) Projects planned with all CDBG funds expected to be available during the year are identified in the Projects Table. The following identifies program income that is available for use that is included in projects to be carried out. 1. The total amount of program income that will have been received before the start of the next program year and that has not yet been reprogrammed 0 2. The amount of proceeds from section 108 loan guarantees that will be used during the year to address the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the grantee's strategic plan. 0 3. The amount of surplus funds from urban renewal settlements 0 4. The amount of any grant funds returned to the line of credit for which the planned use has not been included in a prior statement or plan 0 5. The amount of income from float-funded activities 0 Total Program Income: 0 Other CDBG Requirements 1. The amount of urgent need activities 0 2. The estimated percentage of CDBG funds that will be used for activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income.Overall Benefit - A consecutive period of one, two or three years may be used to determine that a minimum overall benefit of 70% of CDBG funds is used to benefit persons of low and moderate income. Specify the years covered that include this Annual Action Plan. 90.00% Annual Action Plan 2019 89 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021) The Plan details how funds expected from the 2019 grant (B-19-MC-25-0027) will be expended including anticipated income from various loans of $1,252. These loans consist of a 1st time home buyer repayment of $21.08 per month and a housing development loan payment of $1,000 per year. Additional program income, if any, is unknown as it is dependent on whether deferred housing rehab and home repair loans are paid off. Over the past several years, due to the difficult economic situation, the City has seen few repayments. The majority of homeowners request subordinations. All unanticipated program income received during the prior program year has been allocated in this year's document. This plan covers overall benefit from the program years 2017, 2018, 2019, and CV funding. $125,000 of which is CDBG entitlement funds and $55,000 that are being allocated for Urgent Need. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker officially declared a state of emergency on March 10, 2020. Annual Action Plan 2019 90 OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)