2022-2023 Y39 AAPAnnual Action Plan
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Executive Summary
AP-05 Executive Summary - 24 CFR 91.200(c), 91.220(b)
1. Introduction
The City of Northampton (City) is pleased to submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) this Year 3 Action Plan for the City's Five-Year Consolidated Plan 2020-2024. The
program year runs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. The City will receive approximatley $693,839
from the 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant. This document outlines how the City
will allocate and expend these funds to accommodate low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents and
address urgent needs. The City is committed to developing community partnerships and working with
service providers to assist those most in need of relief due to the high cost of housing, economic
opportunities, rising inflation, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City also is committed to
improving accessibility to public facilities and infrastructure for people with mobility impairments.
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.
Public Facilities / Access $164,163.11
Community Resiliency Hub Improvements: $97,479.11
Bathroom Wheelchair Access Improvements at Forbes Library: $37,250
Aeroglider Playground Swing at Ryan Road Elementary School: $29,434
Public Services $104,075
Social Service Programs (nine) from seven different providers totaled at $104,075
Housing $176,833.89
Housing Rehabilitation indirect costs and direct costs: $100,000
Acquisition at Prospect Place for LMI Housing: $76,833.89 DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Economic Development $50,000
Micro-enterprise technical assistance at $50,000
Elimination of Slums & Blight $60,000
Removal of an unsafe and dilapidated abandoned building
Administration and Planning $138,767
Administration of the CDBG Program and Housing and Community Development activities: $138,767
Total Program Year Budget
CDBG 2022 Award: $693,839
Estimated Carry-Over Funds: $208,648.11
Total: $902,487.11
3. Evaluation of past performance
This is an evaluation of past performance that helped lead the grantee to choose its goals or
projects.
The 2021-2022 CDBG Program Year was successful in addressing the City’s community development
goals. The City will build off of these projects to further its community development goals. The City’s
Housing Rehabilitation program was able to rehabilitate several homes in Northampton owned by low-
and moderate-income homeowners. The dilapidated house on Burts Pitt Road was demolished and the
land made ready to transfer to one of the City’s affordable housing development partners: Pioneer
Valley Habitat for Humanity. The City completed many wheelchair curb-cuts throughout downtown
Florence last year as part of the larger Florence Streetscape improvements project. The South Street
Apartments accessibility upgrade and improvement project finally progressed after indoor work
restrictions were lifted due to COVID-19. The Northampton Housing Authority (NHA) Cahill Ramps &
Accessibility project and their Hampshire Heights Playground also progressed this previous program
year.
4. Summary of Citizen Participation Process and consultation process
Summary from citizen participation section of plan.
The first CDBG Action Plan meeting for 2022-2023 Program Year was held on December 15, 2021 in
person and via Zoom video meeting software and was led by the Director of Planning & Sustainability DRAFT 03/29/2022
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and the Grants Administrator. The Community Development Planner, who works directly with the
Director and the Grants Administrator regularly attends the monthly meetings of the Northampton
Housing Partnership, the Disabilities Commission, the Community Preservation Committee, and an
informal working group called the Next Step Collaborative. The sharing and collaboration at these
meetings inform the CDBG planning projects and goals.
All meetings were advertised per open meeting laws and CDBG guidelines and are open to the public.
Speech-to-text software was made available for those with hearing impairments. All meeting rooms are
accessible for people with mobility impairments.
The Public Services Advisory Committee reviewed the public services applications and made
recommendations for funding to the Mayor. Members were made up from the Disability Commission,
Human Rights Commission, City Council, and residents who work in the social services and homeless
advocacy fields. This committee reviewed all applications, scored them according to unique criteria, and
interviewed all of the candidates. The Grants Administrator facilitated discussion at these meetings,
took notes, and answered questions on the CDBG program and budget.
5. Summary of public comments
This could be a brief narrative summary or reference an attached document from the Citizen
Participation section of the Con Plan.
See attached public participation documents for full transcript.
6. Summary of comments or views not accepted and the reasons for not accepting them
All public input received through the Citizen Participation process of this Action Plan were taken into
consideration. No comments were ignored.
7. Summary
The City of Northampton is committed to helping its low- and moderate-income people and other
vulnerable populations such as those with disabilities or those most affected by the impacts of climate
change. DRAFT 03/29/2022
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PR-05 Lead & Responsible Agencies – 91.200(b)
1. Agency/entity responsible for preparing/administering the Consolidated Plan
Describe the agency/entity responsible for preparing the Consolidated Plan and those responsible for administration of each grant
program and funding source.
Agency Role Name Department/Agency
Lead Agency NORTHAMPTON
CDBG Administrator NORTHAMPTON Planning & Sustainability
HOPWA Administrator
HOME Administrator
HOPWA-C Administrator
Table 1 – Responsible Agencies
Narrative (optional)
The City of Northampton administers the Community Development Block Grant Program through the Office of Planning & Sustainability. Staffing
consists of the Community Development Planner and the Grants Administrator, who manages the fiscal responsibilities of the program. The
entire process is overseen by the Director of Planning & Sustainability who reports directly to the Mayor.
Consolidated Plan Public Contact Information
Keith Benoit, Community Development Planner | City of Northampton | (413) 587-1288 | kbenoit@northamptonma.gov
Nathan Chung, Grants Administrator | City of Northampton | (413) 587-1262 | nchung@northamptonma.gov
Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning & Sustainability | City of Northampton | (413) 587-1265 | wfeiden@Northamptonma.gov DRAFT 03/29/2022
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AP-10 Consultation – 91.100, 91.200(b), 91.215(l)
1. Introduction
Northampton consults regularly with service providers through various ongoing meetings and engages
with them on specific projects during the CDBG planning process. The Dept. of Community Care
launched in 2022, creating a new City department that works extremely close with people most in need.
Provide a concise summary of the jurisdiction’s activities to enhance coordination between
public and assisted housing providers and private and governmental health, mental health
and service agencies (91.215(l))
The Housing Partnership hosts the Valley Community Development Corporation (CDC), Friends of
Hampshire County Homeless Individuals, The Community Builders, Habitat for Humanity, the
Northampton Housing Authority, the Center for Human Development (CHD), and others periodically to
receive agency updates and work towards increasing affordable housing in the City. These meetings
identify what housing units are in development and what resources might be needed to provide on-site
support services. Creating true Housing First, low threshold housing units is a need that is still being
investigated The Community Development Planner communicates regularly with the Northampton
Housing Authority. The housing authority has also been working with the Housing Partnership over the
last two years to increase the voucher amounts for Northampton residents. City staff attends the Valley
CDC provider meetings to identify how the City can be of service to their housing stabilization efforts.
Mental health professionals and clinicians attend those meetings. The SRO Outreach Coordinator, the
Veterans Agent, Veteran's Administration caseworkers, ServiceNet, Inc. Highland Valley Elder Services,
and others who all focus on tenancy preservation and housing stabilization for their clients. Way Finders
have adopted this model of coordination of support services for the Live 155 development. Next Step
Collaborative monthly meetings include representation from Eliot Homeless Services, the mental health
agency that has the Department of Mental Health vendor contract for homeless street outreach and
clinical work, ServiceNet shelter providers, the Veterans Agent, Safe Passage (Domestic Violence), A
Positive Place (HIV/AIDS), Cooley Dickinson Social Workers, Peer Mentors from the Recovery Center,
formerly homeless, currently homeless, ServiceNet's Resource Center which includes Health Care for the
Homeless nurses, The SRO Outreach Worker, the Community Housing Support Services Coordinator, and
others.
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. DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Community Action Pioneer Valley runs the Three County Rural Continuum of Care (CoC). They look to
enhance the HMIS data collection, analysis, and dissemination, creation of the coordinated entry
system, and have taken the lead on creating the Community Resiliency Hub. . Successful annual funding
submissions have kept the regions transitional and permanent supportive housing resources in place.
Community Action has made efforts to increas membership, board, and committee involvement to end
homelessness in the Three County area. In 2019, the Three County CoC was awarded a youth
homelessness demonstration program for Franklin County and underwent an eight-month community
planning period to effect a coordinated community plan for ending youth homelessness. The CoC was
awarded $1.9 million for a two-year demonstration period to fund projects to respond to the need.
These projects begin in the fall of 2020, increasing the CoC total annual funding capacity to over $2.7
million annually. In 2020, the CoC increased community effort in the annual point in time count and had
demonstrated an increase in the homeless population in our communities. There were 50 unsheltered
individuals and counted on one night in January 2021.
The CoC utilizes both their own 5 committees (project ranking & evaluation, data & evaluation, equity &
inclusion, coordinated entry, and the youth action board) with 50 current members and facilitated by
CoC program staff and the committee structure of the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness
(WMNEH). The WMNEH addresses population-specific needs through the Individual Services
Committee, the Family Services Committee, the Veteran's Services Committee, and the Unaccompanied
Youth Committee. The Network also provides a Career Services Committee. All committees meet
monthly and are organized and facilitated by the Network Coordinator, who will work closely with the
CoC Coordinator. The Community Development Planner participates on the Project Ranking Committee.
The Three County CoC also partnered this year with the WMNEH to create a racial equity working group.
In consultation with Jo, Consulting provides leadership and community training in racial equity, serves
the LGBTQ community, and provides our funded projects with equity training for housing programs.
The Center for Human Development (CHD) is responsible for the McKinney award of roughly $700,000
each year. This funding provides subsidies for 48 units in the three counties. ServiceNet will continue to
administer its sheltering programs in all three counties and be a vital partner in the Coordinated Entry
process to house the City’s homeless neighbors.
Describe consultation with the Continuum(s) of Care that serves the jurisdiction's area in
determining how to allocate ESG funds, develop performance standards for and evaluate
outcomes of projects and activities assisted by ESG funds, and develop funding, policies and
procedures for the operation and administration of HMIS
There are no municipalities in the Three County Continuum of Care ESG (Emergency Solutions Grants
Program) entitlement communities. ESG funding for the CoC is allocated by the State's Department of
Housing and Community Development through a competitive process. As part of the CoC governance
structure, the CoC engages in an annual discussion about the funding priorities and supports
applications for funds from appropriate agencies for activities that address the identified priorities. In DRAFT 03/29/2022
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the past few years, funds have been allocated for prevention efforts, and this year our ESG providers
hope to apply for additional funding for Rapid Rehousing.
The Collaborative Applicant for the Continuum of Care has had a data committee focused on the HMIS
system and the LSA submissions, which have involved codifying the Homeless Management Information
System (HMIS). Community Action has recently made the City’s current HMIS system more effective
with the coordinated entry and by-name lists that HUD is requiring. With DHCD's assistance, they were
able to create a working By Names List in the HMIS, which is used for most of our data collection. This
eliminates the need for each agency to maintain and share their own lists of people who have been
assessed for the coordinated entry system and enter them in the HMIS since we can now obtain the
information directly from the system. They are also making progress in engaging veteran service
providers in the coordinated entry system. Their data warehouse, Green River, build out the
coordinated entry vulnerability assessment in the warehouse, which will allow VA caseworkers to
conduct assessments for their participants residing in Soldier On Grant Per Diem beds.
Their Coordinated Entry system capacity has increased extensively as well over the last few years. The
City is working to increase the number of agencies involved in performing vulnerability assessments.
They hold case conferencing meetings with homelessness service providers weekly in each county. They
have developed strong partnerships with organizations serving this vulnerable population, looking for
housing opportunities beyond CoC-funded resources. ESG partners are participating in utilizing the
Coordinated Entry process when housing resources are available as well.
2. Describe Agencies, groups, organizations and others who participated in the process
and describe the jurisdiction’s consultations with housing, social service agencies and other
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Table 2 – Agencies, groups, organizations who participated
1 Agency/Group/Organization Center for New Americans
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Education
Services-Employment
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Economic Development
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
2 Agency/Group/Organization Office of Planning and Sustainability
Agency/Group/Organization Type Other government - Local
Planning organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Homelessness Strategy
Economic Development
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Staff meeting, email invites, direct conversation
3 Agency/Group/Organization Community Action Pioneer Valley
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Children
Services-Health
Services-Education
Services-Employment
Service-Fair Housing DRAFT 03/29/2022
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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?
Resilience hub planning sessions and email invitation to take
part in public hearing and/or solicit comments directly.
4 Agency/Group/Organization Community Legal Aid, Inc.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Services-Victims of Domestic Violence
Services-homeless
Service-Fair Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Public Housing Needs
Homelessness Strategy
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Anti-poverty Strategy
Lead-based Paint Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Discussion at the Housing Partnership meeting, resilience hub
planning sessions and email invitation to take part in public
hearing and/or solicit comments directly.
5 Agency/Group/Organization PIONEER VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Anti-poverty Strategy DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
6 Agency/Group/Organization Northampton Housing Authority
Agency/Group/Organization Type PHA
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Public Housing Needs
Homelessness Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
7 Agency/Group/Organization SAFE PASSAGE
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-Victims of Domestic Violence
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Non-Homeless Special Needs
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
8 Agency/Group/Organization Valley Community Development Corporation (CDC)
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Economic Development DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Resilience hub planning sessions and email invitation to take
part in public hearing and/or solicit comments directly.
9 Agency/Group/Organization ServiceNet, Inc.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services-homeless
Services-Health
Regional organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homelessness Strategy
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Resilience hub planning sessions and email invitation to take
part in public hearing and/or solicit comments directly.
10 Agency/Group/Organization Amherst Housing Authority
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
PHA
Services - Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
Lead-based Paint Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly. DRAFT 03/29/2022
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11 Agency/Group/Organization Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services-Persons with HIV/AIDS
Services-Health
Health Agency
Major Employer
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Homelessness Strategy
HOPWA Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Resilience hub planning sessions and email invitation to take
part in public hearing and/or solicit comments directly.
12 Agency/Group/Organization CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SPRINGFIELD, MASS
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Service-Fair Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Homelessness Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
13 Agency/Group/Organization THE COMMUNITY BUILDERS
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Employment DRAFT 03/29/2022
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What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
14 Agency/Group/Organization PIONEER VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Service-Fair Housing
Regional organization
Planning organization
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
Homelessness Strategy
Economic Development
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
15 Agency/Group/Organization Pioneer Valley Workers Center
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Persons with Disabilities
Service-Fair Housing DRAFT 03/29/2022
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What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Anti-poverty Strategy
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
16 Agency/Group/Organization Easthampton Council on Aging
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Transportation
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
17 Agency/Group/Organization HOLYOKE HOUSING AUTHORITY
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
PHA
Services - Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly. DRAFT 03/29/2022
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18 Agency/Group/Organization Stavros
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
Services-Children
Services-Elderly Persons
Services-Persons with Disabilities
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Public Housing Needs
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
19 Agency/Group/Organization Way Finders, Inc.
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
Services - Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
20 Agency/Group/Organization SPRINGFIELD HOUSING AUTHORITY
Agency/Group/Organization Type Housing
PHA
Services - Housing
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Housing Need Assessment
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Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
21 Agency/Group/Organization Clinical and Support Options
Agency/Group/Organization Type Services - Housing
Services-Children
Services-Persons with HIV/AIDS
Services-Victims of Domestic Violence
Services-homeless
Services-Health
Services-Education
Services - Victims
What section of the Plan was addressed by Consultation? Homeless Needs - Chronically homeless
Homeless Needs - Families with children
Non-Homeless Special Needs
Mental Health and Crisis
Briefly describe how the Agency/Group/Organization was consulted.
What are the anticipated outcomes of the consultation or areas for
improved coordination?
Email invitation to take part in public hearing and/or solicit
comments directly.
Identify any Agency Types not consulted and provide rationale for not consulting
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Other local/regional/state/federal planning efforts considered when preparing the Plan
Name of Plan Lead Organization How do the goals of your Strategic Plan overlap with the goals of each plan?
Continuum of Care Community Action
Pioneer Valley
Creation of permanent supported housing units and housing support services. Homelessness
prevention, housing stabilization to reduce recidivism, increase services for mentally ill and those
abusing substances.
Unlocking
Opportunity: An
Assessment of
Barriers
Pioneer Valley
Planning
Commission
Identify the impediments to fair housing. Identify actions to remove impediments, thereby
creating housing opportunities that all people access, regardless of "disability, national origin, sex,
familial status, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, genetic
information, ancestry" or because they receive public benefits.
A Downtown
Northampton for
Everyone (2019)
Office of the
Mayor
Identify the need of panhandlers and at-risk individuals in downtown Northampton, including
stakeholder interviews. Research and analyze the issues associated with panhandling and make
non-punitive recommendations to help get people off the streets, seeking gainful employment,
and find housing.
Regional Housing Plan
(2015)
Pioneer Valley
Planning
Commission
Identification of communities of opportunity that commit to creating affordable housing
facilitates movement from areas of concentration in Hampden County, primarily Springfield and
Holyoke, north, and west.
Needs Assessment &
Strategic Housing Plan
(2011)
City of
Northampton
Creating a list of prioritized needs based on extensive data compilation and citizen input during
public participation sessions for plan development. Needs Assessment in Housing Plan very
thorough, provides direction for resource allocation for Community Preservation Committee and
Housing Partnership.
ADA Self-Evaluation
and Transition Plan
(2020)
Northampton
Disability
Commission
The needs of low- and moderate-income people and those with disabilities often overlap. The
Disability Commission identified several areas where the City can build institutional capacity and
fix specific non-accessible sidewalks, amenities, and buildings.
Increasing
Accessibility for
People w Disabilities
City of
Northampton
The needs of low- and moderate-income people and those with disabilities often overlap. This
report also identified areas within parks and recreation areas that are not accessible and
proposed possible solutions.
Table 3 – Other local / regional / federal planning efforts
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Narrative (optional)
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AP-12 Participation – 91.105, 91.200(c)
1. Summary of citizen participation process/Efforts made to broaden citizen participation
Summarize citizen participation process and how it impacted goal-setting
The City held its first public hearing for the 2022-2023 Action Plan on December 15, 2021 in person and over Zoom. City commissions such as the
monthly Housing Partnership and Disability Commission were encouraged to attend. The City received Request for Proposals (RFP) in a
competitive application process to select public service subrecipients, facility projects, and thier funding amounts. All public hearings were
publicly posted and open to everyone. All information gathered was taken into consideration for the selection of public facilities, housing, and
infrastructure projects as well as the public services grants. All of the comments and questions posed at the public hearing will be posted for
review in this document. The principal of the Ryan Road Elementary School presented their accessibility project before the Disability
Commission. The Disability Commission was also presented the Forbes Library Bathroom Accessibility project in early 2022 and was supportive.
These two presentation are not required, but they are helpful in providing feedback before applicants submit and establishing support.
The data collected at the monthly meetings and from the needs identified through the community planning process helped to identify strengths
and weaknesses in the service delivery system and areas that the City has not been focused on. Although public hearings for CDBG tend to be
less well attended, the offering of Zoom meetings has allowed for people who may not be willing to attend in person to attend remotely. City
staff attempt to make a compelling presentation without overly burdening attendees with lots of slides. Questions from the public are highly
encouraged and City staff will follow up on questions that cannot be answered at the moment.
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Citizen Participation Outreach
Sort Or
der
Mode of Outr
each
Target of Outr
each
Summary of
response/attend
ance
Summary of
comments rece
ived
Summary of com
ments not
accepted
and reasons
URL (If applicable) DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Sort Or
der
Mode of Outr
each
Target of Outr
each
Summary of
response/attend
ance
Summary of
comments rece
ived
Summary of com
ments not
accepted
and reasons
URL (If applicable)
1 Public Meeting
Minorities
Persons with
disabilities
Non-
targeted/broa
d community
Residents of
17 individuals
showed up to
the first meeting
for the RFP on
December 15,
2021. The
Director of
Planning &
Sustainability,
Wayne Feiden
and Grants
Administrator,
Nathan Chung
facilitated the
meeting.
Participants had
the option to
attend in person
Becky Himlin,
CAPV: What are
the loan limits
for housing and
what needs are
the most
prevalent?Judit
h Roberts, The
Literacy
Project: The
block grant has
helped us
greatly by going
to students and
school supplies.
We provide
access to
education
which is a road
out of poverty.
What we
probably have
in common in
this room is we
all had post-
secondary
education. I am
sorry that the
CDBG has such
a high
overhead. The
small amounts
All comments
were accepted.
https://www.northamptonma.gov/23
84/Apply-for-CDBG-Funding DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Sort Or
der
Mode of Outr
each
Target of Outr
each
Summary of
response/attend
ance
Summary of
comments rece
ived
Summary of com
ments not
accepted
and reasons
URL (If applicable)
2 Newspaper Ad
Non-
targeted/broa
d community
An ad was placed
in the Daily
Hampshire
Gazette
newspaper on
Saturday March
19, 2022
informing
residents that
the draft Action
Plan would be
available for
review on March
29 and that
public comments
were
encouraged.
Comments
would be
accepted for 30
days, until April
29, 2022. The ad
also informed
readers of the
public meeting
on March 29,
2022 to discuss
the draft Action
Plan where
residents could
hear a
presentation ask
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Sort Or
der
Mode of Outr
each
Target of Outr
each
Summary of
response/attend
ance
Summary of
comments rece
ived
Summary of com
ments not
accepted
and reasons
URL (If applicable)
3 Public Meeting
Minorities
Persons with
disabilities
Non-
targeted/broa
d community
Residents of
Public and
Assisted
Housing
The draft Annual
Action Plan
meeting will be
held on Tuesday
March 29, 2022.
Table 4 – Citizen Participation Outreach DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Expected Resources
AP-15 Expected Resources – 91.220(c)(1,2)
Introduction
The City of Northampton will use its entitlement funds to facilitate the implementation of priority projects as established in the Consolidated
Plan. City departments and public service agencies utilize many other funding sources to operate programs and bring projects to fruition.
Anticipated Resources
Program Source
of Funds Uses of Funds Expected Amount Available Year 1 Expected
Amount
Available
Remainder
of ConPlan
$
Narrative Description
Annual
Allocation:
$
Program
Income:
$
Prior Year
Resources:
$
Total:
$
CDBG public -
federal
Acquisition
Admin and
Planning
Economic
Development
Housing
Public
Improvements
Public Services 693,839 0 208,648 902,487 1,014,515
CDBG funds will be used for public facility
projects; economic development; housing
programs/projects; public service
programs; and for the planning and
administration of the grant.
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 DRAFT 03/29/2022
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matching requirements will be satisfied
The City was awarded $400,000 from the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Grant in 2018 as part of the City’s ongoing
Climate Resiliency and Regeneration Plan. This is the City’s comprehensive climate adaptation and mitigation effort, which includes the planning
and creation of the Community Resiliency Hub, which will be partly funded by CDBG money. The City will apply for the MVP grant for this year to
fund affordable housing for those most affected by climate change, which may use CDBG funding in the future. All City of Northampton CDBG
funded projects require other funding sources to implement the project. Community Preservation Act (CPA) is often some of the first dollars in,
especially for large projects with complicated funding streams. Eligible project types for CPA funds are open space, recreation, affordable
housing, and historic preservation.
Affordable housing applications to State and Federal funding sources require evidence of a local match. CDBG, Community Preservation Act
funds, tax increment housing, short-term rental taxes, donations of surplus city land, City limited development projects with cross-subsidies,
community contributions, and Smith College development mitigation funding are some of the local match sources.
Public facilities often have City budgeted Capital Improvement Program funds and private fundraising dollars. While the Forbes Library has
requested CDBG funds to cover 100% of the hard construction costs for its bathroom ADA improvements projects, the library staff will perform
the administration of the project, including finding contractors and coordinating the schedule, thus using its resources to cover the soft costs.
Public infrastructure projects typically utilize State Chapter 90 funding and other grant sources.
Public service grants use various other funding sources, such as federal and local government, non-profits and private fundraising. Some of the
CDBG public service grantee awards are so small that their real value is to leverage other sources and show endorsement from the City of
Northampton. Continuum of Care helps with Supportive Housing and Shelter Plus Care programs. HOPWA funds for A Positive Place help with
HIV housing. The expected remaining amount is based on level funding over the remainder of the Consolidated Plan. A Positive Place provides
confidential and comprehensive HIV care and prevention in Hampshire County. DRAFT 03/29/2022
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If appropriate, describe publically owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that
may be used to address the needs identified in the plan
For the 2022 CDBG program year, there are three public facility and infrastructure projects that are on
public owned property to improve access for people with mobility challenges. The City is in the process
of acquiring land for developing a wheelchair accessible trail, which will connect to other City trail
networks.
Discussion
The City will leverage CDGB funding with state grants, private grants, fundraising for a specific project,
and City funds. The City is committed to helping low- and moderate-income people by creating decent
and affordable housing and connecting the people to essential resources. The City always seeks to use
multiple sources of funding to show their commitment and ensure the project's success. DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Annual Goals and Objectives
AP-20 Annual Goals and Objectives
Goals Summary Information
Sort
Order
Goal Name Start
Year
End
Year
Category Geographic
Area
Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
1 Public Services 2020 2024 Affordable
Housing
Homeless
Non-Homeless
Special Needs
Non-Housing
Community
Development
Homelessness
Prevention
Support for
Emergency Shelter &
Support Services
Economic
Development
Housing Support
Services
Addressing Basic
Needs
CDBG:
$104,075
Public service activities other
than Low/Moderate Income
Housing Benefit: 2191 Persons
Assisted
Homeless Person Overnight
Shelter: 185 Persons Assisted
Homelessness Prevention: 20
Persons Assisted
2 Preserve Affordable
Housing, Tenancy
Help & Rehab
2020 2024 Affordable
Housing
Non-Homeless
Special Needs
Rental Housing for
Families
Housing Rehabilitation
Resources
CDBG:
$285,482
Rental units constructed: 60
Household Housing Unit
Homeowner Housing
Rehabilitated: 5 Household
Housing Unit DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Sort Order Goal Name Start Year End Year Category Geographic Area Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
3 Economic
Development &
Income
Maximization
2020 2024 Non-Housing
Community
Development
Economic
Development
CDBG:
$50,000
Businesses assisted: 65
Businesses Assisted
4 Improve Public
Facilities &
Infrastructure
2020 2024 Non-Homeless
Special Needs
Public Facilities
and Infrastructure
Public Facilities CDBG:
$224,163
Public Facility or Infrastructure
Activities other than
Low/Moderate Income Housing
Benefit: 3846 Persons Assisted DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Sort Order Goal Name Start Year End Year Category Geographic Area Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
5 Planning and
Administration
2020 2025 Affordable
Housing
Public Housing
Homeless
Non-Homeless
Special Needs
Non-Housing
Community
Development
Homelessness
Prevention
Support for
Emergency Shelter &
Support Services
Rental Housing for
Individuals
Rental Housing for
Families
Preservation of
Existing Affordable
Rental Stock
Housing Rehabilitation
Resources
Affordable
Homeownership for
Individual & Families
Housing for At - Risk &
Special Needs
Populations
Economic
Development
Housing Support
Services
Addressing Basic
Needs
Public Facilities
Public Infrastructure
CDBG:
$138,767
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Table 6 – Goals Summary
Goal Descriptions
1 Goal Name Public Services
Goal
Description
CDBG public services allocations are made to a variety of grantees. Service provision include youth employment readiness,
mentoring for at-risk youth, literacy and language attainment, community resource advocacy, legal aid for homelessness
prevention, food pantries, and shelters for the homeless.
The nine projects being funded are as follows:
Center For Human Development - BBBS: $12,000.00
Center for New Americans - Fostering Immigrant Economic Independence: $12,048.00
Community Action Pioneer Valley - Community Resource and Advocacy: $12,000.00
Community Action Pioneer Valley - Youth Employment: $9,980.00
Community Legal Aid - Homeless Prevention: $10,000.00
Literacy Project - Pathways to Success: $16,047.00
Northampton Survival Center - Emergency Food Pantry: $12,000.00
ServiceNet - Grove Street Inn: $10,000.00
ServiceNet - Interfaith Shelter: $10,000.00 DRAFT 03/29/2022
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2 Goal Name Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Goal
Description
The housing rehabilitation program for LMI homeowners will continue in Program Year 2022 with a new subrecipient
administering the program. Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) will administer the housing rehab program beginning
July 1, 2022., while the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) will finish the current program year (June 30, 2022). The
scope of work is 4-6 owner-occupied units to be completed each year. Housing rehab will start to include duplexes and
condominiums to income eligible owner occupants. The City will continue to look for opportunities to rehabilitate houses for
accessibility, code compliance, emergency repairs, and lead paint abatement. Lead paint abatement is a concern due to the
prevalence of lead paint in the City's old housing stock and as an impediment to access for families with children. CAPV will
be able to combine the housing rehab program with their existing Home Energy Conservation Program and Older Adult
Home Repair Program to rehabilitate affordable housing at multiple levels.
The City will also use CDBG funds to aid Valley CDC's acquisition of a former nursing home. Valley CDC will acquire it and
rehabilitate it into about 60 units of affordable rental housing for LMI households.
The funding allocations is as follows:
Housing Rehab Administration and Indirect Costs: $15,027.00
Housing Rehab Hard Costs: $84,973.00
Prospect Place Acquisition (Bridge Road Nursing Home): $285,482.00
3 Goal Name Economic Development & Income Maximization
Goal
Description
Valley CDC will provide one-on-one microenterprise technical assistance and counseling to new and existing micro-
enterprises. This is for businesses with five or less employees to retain and/or create new job opportunities. Funding is set at
$50,000.
4 Goal Name Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Goal
Description
Accessibility improvements at the Forbes Library bathrooms and installation of an Aeroglider ADA compliant playground
equipment at RK Finn Ryan Road Elementary school. The City also anticipates making progress towards acquiring property for
the Community Resilience Hub and making improvements to the property.
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5 Goal Name Planning and Administration
Goal
Description
CDBG planning and administration funds will be used to operate the CDBG program.
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Projects
AP-35 Projects – 91.220(d)
Introduction
For the program year, July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023, the City of Northampton is expected to receive
approximately $693,839 in CDBG funds from the HUD. An additional $208,648.11 in, unexpended funds
from prior program years will be reallocated and applied to projects in the upcoming program year. This
Action Plan details how CDBG funds will be spent on new projects to address priorities identified in the
City's five-year Consolidated Plan as reviewed and updated.
Projects
# Project Name
1 Microenterprise Technical Assistance
2 Forbes Library Bathroom ADA Improvements
3 Community Resilience Hub
4 Ryan Road Elementary Playground ADA Improvements
5 Prospect Place Acquisition
6 Housing Rehabilitation
7 Community Resources and Advocacy
8 Youth and Workforce Development
9 Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program
10 Homeless Prevention
11 Pathways to Success
12 Emergency Food Pantry
13 Emergency Shelters for Homeless Individuals
14 Fostering Immigrant Economic Independence
15 Slums and Blight Moose Lodge
16 Planning and Administration
Table 7 - Project Information
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Describe the reasons for allocation priorities and any obstacles to addressing underserved needs
The City determined allocation priorities based on who could best address the needs of low- and
moderate-income people. The City's emphasis has been on providing and improving affordable housing,
supporting public service agencies that provide education and resources to LMI clientele, improving
public facilities and infrastructure for ADA accessibility.
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AP-38 Project Summary
Project Summary Information DRAFT 03/29/2022
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1 Project Name Microenterprise Technical Assistance
Target Area
Goals Supported Economic Development & Income Maximization
Needs Addressed Economic Development
Funding CDBG: $50,000
Description Valley Community Development Corporation (VCDC) will provide
technical assistance to new and existing micro-enterprises (5 or fewer
employees).
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
65 Northampton LMI microenterprises
Location Description 256 Pleasant Street, Suite A, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities Valley CDC's Economic Development program offers a range of free
services to meet the needs of low-to-moderate income individuals and
business owners in Northampton. The program is designed to assist in all
aspects of owning a business including business plan development,
financial projections, strategic marketing, loan packaging, access to
community loan funds, and grant applications.
2 Project Name Forbes Library Bathroom ADA Improvements
Target Area
Goals Supported Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Needs Addressed Public Facilities
Funding CDBG: $37,250
Description Forbes Library will make improvements to their bathrooms to make them
meet current ADA standards for people with disabilities.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
About 2,500 people with ambulatory difficulties will benefit. The estimate
is based on the ACS 2019 5-year data which shows Northampton has
1,452 people with ambulatory difficulties. DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Location Description 20 West Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities • The project will improve seven bathroom, six of which are open to the
public and one of which is for staff only.
• Remove architectural barriers. Specifically, remove raised threshold lips
that make wheelchair access difficult from the six bathrooms that have
them.
• Update wiring and install automatic door opener push buttons to both
sides of heavy bathroom doors for seven bathrooms.
3 Project Name Community Resilience Hub
Target Area
Goals Supported Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Public Facilities
Funding CDBG: $97,479
Description Costs associated with the acquisition, rehab, and consultation to create a
resiliency-hub to serve low- and moderate-income people and those most
vulnerable to crisis (pandemic, floods, etc.) and chronic stress
(homelessness, poverty, etc.) This Community Resiliency Hub will serve as
office space for several public service agencies helping low- and
moderate-income clientele (LMC) such as homeless, people with
disabilities, and front line communities who are most affected by extreme
events, such as weather and the COVID-19 pandemic. This building will
host several public service agencies that receive CDBG money, whose
own DOE is serving LMC clients. These communities also have a higher
incidence of co-morbidities such as obesity and asthma and will need to
use the 'cooling center' of hub for extreme heat. This could also serve as
an emergency shelter in the event of flooding or other event. This space
may also house storage lockers for homeless individuals, which was a
need identified in the coordinated outreach for a working group on
downtown homeless population.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
250 LMC individuals will directly benefit from the hub during its first year
of operation DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Location Description The City is still searching for the right location to acquire. It will be in a
central location in Northampton, MA accessible through multiple modes
of transportation, including public transit and walkable to downtown.
Planned Activities • Acquire the property for the physical location of the Resilience Hub.
• Provide a one-stop location for people needing multiple support
services.
• Provide office spaces for public service agencies.
• Provide sanitation facilities for homeless individuals such as bathrooms,
showers, and laundromats.
• Provide a community space for people to socialize.
4 Project Name Ryan Road Elementary Playground ADA Improvements
Target Area
Goals Supported Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Needs Addressed Public Facilities
Funding CDBG: $29,434
Description Installation of the Aeroglider, an ADA accessible swing, to make the
playground at RK Finn Ryan Road Elementary School ADA accessible for
children who have a disability. Also includes the installation of a paved
path to the swing.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
There are three students at Ryan Road Elementary who use wheelchair.
All 230 students at Ryan Road Elementary will be able to use the swing,
playing together and develop meaningful relationships with their peers.
Presumably, all 3,229 school aged children from the wider Northampton
area could also benefit.
Location Description RK Finn Ryan Road Elementary School, 498 Ryan Rd, Northampton, MA
01062
Planned Activities • Add a wheelchair accessible swing, the Aeroglider, to the playground.
• Install a paved path to the Aeroglider on the playground.
5 Project Name Prospect Place Acquisition
Target Area
Goals Supported Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Needs Addressed Rental Housing for Families
Funding CDBG: $285,482 DRAFT 03/29/2022
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OMB Control No: 2506-0117 (exp. 09/30/2021)
Description Acquire a vacant and deteriorating former nursing home to rehabilitate it
into an estimated 60 affordable rental units of varying sizes.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
60 LMI households in Northampton
Location Description 737 Bridge Road, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities This project covers acquisition of the former nursing home only. A
subrecipient will rehabilitate it into an estimated 60 affordable rental
units of varying sizes.
6 Project Name Housing Rehabilitation
Target Area
Goals Supported Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Needs Addressed Housing Rehabilitation Resources
Funding CDBG: $100,000
Description Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) will administer the City of
Northampton's Housing Rehabilitation Program to facilitate essential
home repairs for LMI homeowners in Northampton. Eligible units are
owner-occupied single-family homes, duplexes, and condominiums.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
Five LMI households in Northampton who own homes will benefit from
the program.
Location Description Five LMI owner-occupied households in Northampton DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Planned Activities Housing rehabilitation activities are mainly composed of CAPV
administering housing rehabilitation (administration and indirect costs)
and contractors performing the actual rehabilitation (hard costs).
Interested homeowners will work with the CAPV Home Repair
Coordinator. The coordinator will provide information about the
program, receive and track referrals, conduct a home assessment to
identify needed repairs, develop a scope of work, identify the right
contractors, assist eligible homeowners with contractor selection, liaise
with the contractors, monitor the progress, and ensure all necessary
documentation. Eligible home repairs and improvements may include:
mold remediation, vermiculite and asbestos removal, vents, air filters,
carpet removal, debris removal, pest control, roof repair, floor and stair
repairs/replacements, window repair, emergency plumbing repairs (e.g.
frozen/burst pipes), water quality interventions (wells, failed water and
septic systems), correction of code violations, and other repairs necessary
to maintain the integrity of the building envelope.
7 Project Name Community Resources and Advocacy
Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Housing Support Services
Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $12,000
Description Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) will provide housing & income
stabilization, and coordinated referrals to Northampton households in
need.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
60 Northampton households or approximately 90 individuals total
Location Description 155 Pleasant St, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities • Conduct an in-depth assessment of a household's situation and assist
with applying to different benefit programs (SNAP, health insurance, etc.)
• Provide financial counseling
• Provide referral to other CAPV programs, such as housing rehab
8 Project Name Youth and Workforce Development DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $9,980
Description Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) will provide case management
and employment readiness services for Northampton youths, including
young parents.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
26 Northampton youths, including young parents
Location Description 155 Pleasant St, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities Staff will provide ongoing workforce development programming, the
integration of workforce development into our youth leadership
development activities to serve more youth, and support for employment
and stabilization services to homeless or precariously housed youth.
9 Project Name Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program
Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $12,000
Description The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County (BBBSHC) Northampton
Mentoring Program under Center for Human Development (CHD) will
create and support quality mentoring relationships for low-income
children in Northampton.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
25 LMI children in Northampton DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Location Description Mentoring will take place in various locations in Northampton, MA
between the children and the volunteer mentors.
Planned Activities The case management staff work with local schools and service agencies
to obtain referrals for children in need of our services. They conduct
thorough intakes with children and families, and recruit, screen, and train
volunteers. Matches are made according to numerous compatibility
factors, and each potential match is reviewed by both the case manager
and program supervisor, and is first approved by parent/guardians, Bigs,
and Littles. Once a match is made the case manager maintains ongoing
contact with each party involved to ensure that the match is successful
and that any challenging issues are addressed. Mentors and mentees
meet 2-4 times per month for at least one year (3 semesters for college
students).
10 Project Name Homeless Prevention
Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Funding CDBG: $10,000
Description Community Legal Aid (CLA) will help protect tenants who are at risk of
eviction, subsidy termination, and homelessness by providing legal
assistance.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
20 LMI individuals in Northampton at risk of homelessness
Location Description The project will assist Northampton residents and take place mostly in
Northampton, MA at the CLA office at 155 Pleasant Street Northampton,
MA 01060 along with different courts and offices. DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Planned Activities • Assist tenants with preparing Answers and Discovery Requests before
their eviction trials.
• Assist tenants in pre-eviction trial mediation and negotiations in
Housing Court.
• Assist tenants in securing rental arrearage assistance through state
assistance programs.
• Represent tenants in eviction trials.
• Counsel tenants post-eviction trial about housing options.
• Assist participants in subsidy programs including Section 8 and Mass.
Rental Voucher Program who are challenging terminations of their rental
assistance.
11 Project Name Pathways to Success
Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $16,047
Description The Literacy Project (TLP) provides comprehensive Adult Basic Education
(ABE) services to adults and out-of-school youths age 16 and over and
Education and Career Advising and Programming to develop pathways to
economic opportunity and security.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
25 LMI Northampton residents
Location Description 42 Gothic St, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities • Increase students' readiness for employment and post-secondary
education and training by incorporating through Adult Basic Education
classes.
• Individualized education and advising with help for meeting a student's
specific challenges.
• Help students access community resources such as Mass Hire Career
Center, community college programs, vocational training opportunities.
• Help students access resources to address food, housing,
transportation, childcare, and health needs.
12 Project Name Emergency Food Pantry DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $12,000
Description The Northampton Survival Center's (NSC) Emergency Food Pantry
provides a stable and reliable source of free and healthy food throughout
the year.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
2,000 LMI individuals from Northampton and the surrounding area
Location Description 265 Prospect St, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities The food pantry offers four distinct distribution options in Northampton
for flexibility:
• Drive-through pick-up from our Northampton site
• Curbside pick-up with easy online ordering in advance
• Individual home deliveries throughout the city
• Deliveries to low-income, senior-, and disabled-housing sites
13 Project Name Emergency Shelters for Homeless Individuals
Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Support for Emergency Shelter & Support Services
Funding CDBG: $20,000
Description ServiceNet operates two emergency shelters for homeless individuals in
Northampton, Grove Street Inn (GSI) and Interfaith Shelter (IFS).
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
75 homeless individuals at Grove Street Inn
110 homeless individuals at The Interfaith Shelter DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Location Description Grove Street Inn: 91 Grove Street Northampton, MA 01060
Interfaith Shelter: 43 Center Street Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities • Provide emergency overnight shelters with beds to individuals who are
homeless.
• Provide meals, shower, and laundry services.
• Provide healthcare and mental health counseling.
• Provide case management, including helping find permanent housing
and providing referrals to other relevant services.
14 Project Name Fostering Immigrant Economic Independence
Target Area
Goals Supported Public Services
Needs Addressed Addressing Basic Needs
Funding CDBG: $12,048
Description Center for New Americans (CNA) offers free classes in English for
Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and support for immigrants seeking
and applying for jobs.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
55 people
Location Description 42 Gothic St, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities Offer free classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and
support for immigrants seeking and applying for jobs.
15 Project Name Slums and Blight Moose Lodge
Target Area
Goals Supported Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Needs Addressed Elimination of Slums and Blight
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Description 196 Cooke Avenue is a former Moose Lodge that will be demolished. It
has been vacant for many years, with graffiti, break-ins, homeless
encampments, and potentially hazardous structural elements. The
entrance to a conservation area is nearby. Many neighbors have shown
concern for the break-ins and homeless encampments on the property.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
1 building will be demolished
Location Description 196 Cooke Ave., Northampton, MA 01060
Parcel ID: 18 -022-001
Planned Activities Building will be demolished, cleanup of any environmental hazards.
16 Project Name Planning and Administration
Target Area
Goals Supported Planning and Administration
Needs Addressed Homelessness Prevention
Support for Emergency Shelter & Support Services
Housing Rehabilitation Resources
Economic Development
Addressing Basic Needs
Public Facilities
Funding CDBG: $138,767
Description Planning and Administration of CDBG-funded activities.
Target Date 6/30/2023
Estimate the number
and type of families
that will benefit from
the proposed
activities
The project will cover the payroll for two full-time staff members.
Location Description City Hall, 210 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Planned Activities Payroll for CDBG planning and administering staff, benefits, office
expenses, training, software, printing (legal notices and printouts), and
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AP-50 Geographic Distribution – 91.220(f)
Description of the geographic areas of the entitlement (including areas of low-income and
minority concentration) where assistance will be directed
According to the Analysis of Impediments (AI), none of Northampton's racial groups experience
moderate or high levels of segregation which is the distribution of any two groups across census
tracts. Census tracts of more than 20% minority population are defined as areas of minority
concentration. People of color are more highly concentrated in census tracts 8216.01, 8216.02, and
8222 because these tracts are where much of the multi-family housing in Northampton is located, but
the report also notes that this concentration is much lower than the state overall. Census tract 8220 has
a high percentage of people of color, but this most likely due to the presence of Smith College.
Funds were allocated to needs that were identified from citizen participation and data analysis during
the Consolidated Plan preparation and each year for the Annual Action Plans. The Analysis of
Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing was be completed in 2019 and was used to prepare the Consolidated
Plan and this Acton Plan.
Geographic Distribution
Target Area Percentage of Funds
Table 8 - Geographic Distribution
Rationale for the priorities for allocating investments geographically
There are no geographic targeted areas. The Public Service programs that are funded by CDBG all deliver
their services citywide. Northampton is a small city of 29,571 people according to the 2020 Census, so
there is no clearly defined specific geographic areas with high need. Subrecipients do employ targeted
outreach strategies to particular areas to reach populations that face more challenges than the
community at large.
The Housing Rehab Program has served single-family homeowners on a first-come-first-served basis.
Their locations have been dispersed across the City. If funding allows the rehab program to continue,
there may be neighborhoods defined in the future as locations to concentrate rehab efforts for a more
comprehensive revitalization strategy.
Discussion
According to the Fair Housing Equity Assessment (FHEA) in the 2019 AI, communities in the region DRAFT 03/29/2022
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should be 70/30 white/people of color. Northampton’s population is 81% white and 19% people of
color. Therefore, Northampton needs to attract and retain thousands of people of color to balance out
this disparity.
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Affordable Housing
AP-55 Affordable Housing – 91.220(g)
Introduction
While the City maintains an above 11% subsidized housing inventory for low- and moderate-income
residents, there is still need for increasing the number of affordable units. According to the fair housing
assessment, 14% of total households in Northampton are considered to have a severe housing cost
burden. This number increases to 25% for families with five or more people and 18% for non-family
households. The City continues to work to acquire land or prepare it for affordable housing developers:
Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity for single-family homeowners and other development agencies
such as Valley CDC, the Community Builders, and Way Finders for large multi-family rental units. The
process of creating affordable units is very slow and when they are finished and the lottery for them is
finally open, they often receive hundreds of applications. The City is in the process of turning over a
portion of a City parking lot downtown to build about 24 affordable units. Another project that will
break ground this spring that the City facilitated is the construction of three small single-family homes
on Burts Pit Road by Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity.
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher list maintained at the Northampton Housing Authority has been
closed since 2014. There were over 200 households on the waiting list. The wait for Federal and State
housing units at the NHA for both elderly/disabled and families is at least two years. The Northampton
Housing Authority owns and manages 618 public housing affordable units in Northampton. They consist
of 110 federal and 508 state funded, and they have 871 leased housing program vouchers.
One Year Goals for the Number of Households to be Supported
Homeless 219
Non-Homeless 1,972
Special-Needs 20
Total 2,211
Table 9 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Requirement
One Year Goals for the Number of Households Supported Through
Rental Assistance 1,038
The Production of New Units 0
Rehab of Existing Units 0
Acquisition of Existing Units 60
Total 1,098
Table 10 - One Year Goals for Affordable Housing by Support Type DRAFT 03/29/2022
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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 (75) and the Hampshire County Interfaith Winter Shelter (110) , as well as
the 17 emergency shelter beds administered by Soldier On (assuming one turnover 17 x 2 = 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 estimates from this year, minus the two
shelter counts (2,191 – 219 = 1,972).
The 20 number of special needs households to be supported is an estimate of the number of
Department of Mental Health and Department of Developmental Services residential units in the
community; the exact number of each will not be verified by either system, or the Dept. of Housing and
Community Development.
The total number for rental assistance is the count from the Northampton Housing Authority that they
will issues in 2022 across VASH mainstream vouchers, project based vouchers, emergency vouchers,
and SRO’s in Northampton.
There are 60 units proposed for acquisition at Prospect Place during this current program year. In
following program year(s), those units will be rehabilitated, but to avoid double counting, these units
will only be considered for acquisition in the AP-55 section.
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AP-60 Public Housing – 91.220(h)
Introduction
The Northampton Housing Authority has worked diligently to involve their residents in the management
of their properties, has had active involvement from residents in the planning for the playground
installation, and has worked closely with the Northampton Housing Partnership in investigating how to
help more residents in Northampton lease up in the City.
Actions planned during the next year to address the needs to public housing
The Northampton Housing Authority plans on completing the following open projects in the 2022-2023
program year:
Salvo House – Installation of accessible bathrooms
Hampshire Heights - Playground installation
Cahill Apartments – Installation of wheelchair access ramps
The NHA will also continue to evaluate any repair, rehabilitation, or accessibility needs of their
properties for following program years. They will also continue to work with the Northampton Housing
Partnership in investigating how changing the FMR used to calculate rents may increase the voucher
amount.
Actions to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and
participate in homeownership
Property management at the Northampton Housing Authority regularly sends information packets and
incentive programs to the Community Development Planner for dissemination. The NHA formally
recognized the creation of a Tenants Association at Hampshire Heights (State family housing
development) and continues to work with McDonald House, and Forsander Tenant Associations. A
meeting is also held yearly for federal properties for the Capital Fund Program, to solicit input on
needed renovation projects.
The NHA participates in the dissemination of smoking cessation materials when tenants move into a unit
and continues to install smoking shelters at developments annually as needed. The NHA sponsors tenant
events, produces a newsletter, works with the State's LEAP program for increasing educational
attainment for residents of Hampshire Heights. The NHA launched a website in August of 2019 which
has increased communication with management and greater access to policies and procedures for
residents. A new Resident Services Coordinator was hired in June of 2019 for the two family
developments; Hampshire Heights and Florence Heights. With the ongoing collaborations, NHA DRAFT 03/29/2022
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residents will become more engaged in the management of their housing and seek out and utilize
increased resources to achieve enhanced economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.
If the PHA is designated as troubled, describe the manner in which financial assistance will be
provided or other assistance
The Northampton Housing Authority is not designated as troubled.
Discussion
The NHA has added their units to the Housing Navigator website in 2021, which offers an easy way to
search for affordable and accessible units across Massachusetts.The NHA has received CDBG funding to
accomplish handicap accessibility enhancements at several NHA properties and the installation of a
playground. These projects are expected to be completed this program year, having met delays to due
to COVID-19. The NHA has created a website since the last Consolidated Plan where all of their
properties are listed and information such as Section 8 vouchers can be found.
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AP-65 Homeless and Other Special Needs Activities – 91.220(i)
Introduction
The City works closely with many services providers through its Next Step Collaborative meetings,
attendance at the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness meetings, the Housing Partnership,
planning for the community resiliency-hub, and from knowledge built through reports like the Mayor's
working group on panhandling. All these efforts have informed the City's goals for the Consolidated Plan
and this actions plan. This last year has seen a dramatic increase in the level of coordination between
the various government and non-profit entities for finding a property to house the community resiliency
hub, creating a governing structure for it, and the services provided on site. The City has also created a
Department of Community Care with a goal to respond to calls related to mental health, substance use,
social service-related requests, and other crisis situations of Northampton residents as an alternative to
a traditional police response. The Director for this new department has been working closely with the
group planning the community resiliency hub and attending relevant meetings such as the Next Step
Collaborative.
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 to several Western Mass. communities. The PATH worker in Northampton has been in the
position more than 20 years and knows the population well. The clinician works closely with the
Northampton Police Department, Tapestry Health and ServiceNet, Inc. to link clients with needed
services and housing search. They are part of a group that assembles for case conferencing through
HUD's coordinated entry system and they prioritize chronically homeless people for housing placement
and services. The PATH worker attends the monthly Next Step Collaborative meetings and provides up
to date information on the numbers and locations of people living outside. This helps guide outreach
activities and informs the City about whether the existing shelter capacity will be enough for the season.
They visit camps and conducts engagement and assessment activities. During the day, unsheltered
people can access the Hampshire County Resource Center and the drop-in center at MANNA Community
Kitchen for additional case management and resources.
Dial-Self, the area agency serving homeless unaccompanied youth, employs staff that conducts
outreach. Their workers connect with young people at meal and shelter sites.
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to those experiencing homelessness from interactions at the drop-in center at the kitchen and from
people requesting a secured locker for their belongings at the downtown garage. The information from
these interactions has been invaluable in planning City initiatives and social services.
Tapestry Health, the regional organization that has a needle exchange program and services in the City,
supports sharps pickups from homeless encampments, and supports street harm reduction activities.
They have been an important voice at the Mayor's Panhandling Report (2019) which has cataloged
existing services and promote dialog between service providers, the business community, law
enforcement and those engaging in street activity.
The Community Development Planner helps monitor a protocol that was developed in 2018 with the
City's Department of Public Works, the Board of Health, the Building Inspection office, the Office of
Planning & Sustainability and Eliot Homeless Services to coordinate the response of City departments to
the encampments. The number of unsheltered homeless living outside is increasing and Army Corps
lands and conservation restricted lands are unable to host camps. The Police and EMS personnel
sometimes need to access areas that have been blocked off for conservation purposes. The effort here is
to have social service providers engage with campers to inform them if the camp needs to be vacated,
so they can access services or at least protect their personal items and documents. Another goal is to
protect campers and workers from potentially harmful camp conditions. Smith College has agreed to
utilize the outreach team for assessment and engagement of people living in camps on property owned
by the College. The Office of Planning & Sustainability regularly cleans up sites and updated services
providers on camp activity.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons
There is still a need for additional emergency shelters and transitional housing programs in the City. ESG
and CDBG are two of the only sources to fund emergency shelters. ServiceNet, Inc., the administrator of
the year-round Grove Street Inn Emergency Shelter for Individuals and the Hampshire County Interfaith
Winter Shelter struggles to keep both programs operational. They have to utilize private donations, and
other agency funds to cover costs. HUD's focus on permanent supported housing does not acknowledge
the fact that not everyone is ready for permanent housing.
Transitional housing is 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 to 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 DRAFT 03/29/2022
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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.
Although it is difficult to encourage an agency to create new programming to address these needs with
few funding options, there is one project in the City that has moved forward utilizing CPA funding and
private money to create supportive housing for medically compromised people who are homeless. They
have purchased a building which needs some minor renovations and have identified an experienced
medical staff and support network to facilitate their transition into housing.
ServiceNet has 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 sites
downtown, including the standup site at First Churches in downtown.
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. These services have been complimented in the last year by the
drop-in center at MANNA Community Kitchen. Many of the services at the both of these centers will
likely move to the Community Resiliency Center once it is operational.
As part of the coordinated entry system, there is 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
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Department of Public Health. Safe Passage serves those affected by domestic violence. All of these
programs work with participants to assess their needs and provide case management with the goal of
helping them transition to permanent housing and independent living. The length of stay depends on
how quickly a participant can address the obstacles they face that may prevent them from accessing
housing, and the availability of a unit.
The City knows of the need for housing, in order to facilitate the ability of people to move forward and
out of homelessness. The City is always moving forward to increase the number of housing units
available to eligible residents. The CDBG funded public service agencies doing housing stabilization work
(SRO Outreach, Community Legal Aid), the CPC funded Community Housing Support Services Program
and Resident Service Coordinators at the Housing Authority and larger apartment complexes, all work
diligently to prevent people from returning to homelessness.
Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely
low-income individuals and families and those who are: being discharged from publicly
funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care facilities, mental health facilities,
foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections programs and institutions); or, receiving
assistance from public or private agencies that address housing, health, social services,
employment, education, or youth needs.
The City will continue to support through either CDBG funding or 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’s Office of Planning & Sustainability has a “housing
stability” section on their website which has many resources for people looking to maintain their
housing status (as a renter or a home-owner) or search for affordable units.
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. These programs serve more than 100 households annually and have very high success
rates for preserving tenancies.
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.
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only implement this practice if there are other options. Each of these systems should contribute to
creating these options. For example, people being released from the correctional system, should have a
system of next step housing in the community for their inmates to access. Similarly, sufficient numbers
of mental health recovery residences, and detox beds, need to exist. These public systems cannot
depend on being able to refer people to local shelters, because rarely is there an open bed. Prevention
and diversion strategies only work when other resource options are available.
Social workers from the Cooley Dickinson Hospital attend the Next Step Collaborative meetings to
network with service providers. They will contact ServiceNet to identify available beds prior to releasing
a patient into homelessness. Soldier On will pick up any Veteran being released from the Hampshire
County House of Corrections, who does not have a place to go identified. The City's Veterans Agent does
extensive case management and works closely with Soldier On and the Northampton Housing Authority
who administers the regions VASH units.
The City also advocates for and utilizes the State funded Tenancy Preservation Program that works with
households at risk in the Pioneer Valley. They have developed an expertise around assisting tenants at
risk of eviction due to hoarding issues. Dial/Self works closely with the Department of Families and
Children, and the Department of Youth Services to address youth being discharged from the foster care
system. Dial/Self provides housing and support services to this population and the first 4 of their 8 units
on Hatfield Street are now operational. The building provides four additional residential units, as well as
a common area and office space for case management services for at risk unaccompanied homeless
youth.
Discussion
CDBG funding will continue to be provided to the City's shelters for staffing. 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 attend monthly meetings with the City's
homeless service providers at the Next Step Collaborative, to ensure services are coordinated and
utilized effectively. City updates are provided with regard to the production of new units, which is the
key to successful movement for people working to exit homelessness.
Elders who may be at risk can be 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 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
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(CSO) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH). The Recovery Center located downtown serves as a
day drop in and resource center for those in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders.
DMH and Department of Developmental Services (DDS) have residential programs that operate in the
City, with 24/7 hour staffing supports.
Gandara Mental Health Center operates Hairston House and the Maple Avenue house in Northampton
for those in recovery from substance use. Victims of domestic violence can 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.
No affordable units in Northampton are truly housing first units. This would mean meeting people
where they are - with less than stellar landlord histories, active addiction issues, poor credit, and other
challenges. Those are the units the City still needs to create, in order to accomplish any significant
movement of people out of the emergency shelter system. Tenant selection policies, multiyear waiting
lists, and insufficient incomes to afford affordable housing, remain huge obstacles to truly addressing
the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
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AP-75 Barriers to affordable housing – 91.220(j)
Introduction:
Actions it planned to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve
as barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning
ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the
return on residential investment
From the report Unlocking Opportunity - An Assessment of Barriers to Fair Housing Choice in
Northampton:
"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."
The recommendations and actions that the report articulated has informed the work at the Office of
Planning & Sustainability to create more equitable housing policies and the advocacy and research done
by the Housing Partnership since the report was published in 2019. The Housing Partnership serves as
the City's Fair Housing Committee and members were involved in reports formulation. The City has
passed a two-family by right zoning ordinance, which would allow the creation of more housing units,
lessening the burden on housing costs. The City is also investigating the banning of certain fees
associated with moving into a rental unit. There is also legislation at the state level that would allow for
an affordable housing fund financed by fees levied on the sale of houses above a certain price point. This
would be an opt-in program that the City is actively investigating.
Most of the barriers within the control of City departments have been examined. The Housing
Partnership has built the recommendations of the report into its goals since the report came out. The
Zoning Sub-Committee of the Housing Partnership has worked closely with the Office of Planning &
Sustainability to implement any zoning revisions, such as creating multi-family units and the two-family
unit by-right in all zoning districts.
The Housing Partnership held an educational session last fall for local landlords’ workshop to discuss
rental assistance for their tenants and eviction process. The Massachusetts Fair Housing Center has
previously done community education and outreach in Northampton and has expressed interest in DRAFT 03/29/2022
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working with the City to host another event.
Discussion:
The City will work collaboratively with the Housing Partnership, Next Step Collaborative, and other sub-
committees to determine the next course of action. They will investigate how the actions steps created
from the assessment of barriers can be implemented in the next program year and leverage current
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AP-85 Other Actions – 91.220(k)
Introduction:
The City will play a critical role in facilitating communication and collaboration in the face of limited
community resources. It is imperative that the City's service delivery system operate as efficiently and
effectively as possible to meet the needs of residents. The City will support people and organizations
carrying out public service programming, preserving and creating affordable housing, increasing
people’s economic self-sufficiency, enhancing public facilities and infrastructure to improve the life
quality of people that may be underserved and have insufficient incomes.
Actions planned to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs
The City has created a Department of Community Care whose mission is divert police calls related to
behavioral health, substance use, social service-related requests, and other crisis situations of
Northampton residents away from sending a police officer. This process can help keep people who are
in a crisis from also getting a criminal record, which can often make finding housing difficult or overly
burden them with other costs associated with the justice system.
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, to stay informed and proactive on a regional and local level. This involvement informs the
work of the Mayor's Office, the newly created Department of Community Care, and relevant City
departments to insure that local government is an active and responsive partner in addressing obstacles
faced by people facing challenges.
Housing and services for women were identified as a high priority need in previous action plans.
Dialogue with Safe Passage to determine if they were interested in developing additional housing
options for victims of domestic violence. The agency has been focused on renovating their office space
and does not have housing development as a part of their strategic plan.
The creation of housing first units is an option and can be researched for future development.
Previously, traditional non-profit housing developers expressed no desire to start creating these units. It
has been said by developers that they are hard to create with HUD’s funding/reporting requirements.
This is because coordinating HUD funding cycles (where the dollars are not actually forthcoming for a
year or more, as one applies in advance) with the State funds needed for the development costs, are
very hard to mesh. Due to the time delays for all funding decisions, it is very hard for a non-profit to ask
a seller to wait, as few have the funds for acquisition at the ready, when a property becomes available.
Housing First units should also not be developed without solid support services dollars committed for a
few years in advance.
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to identify where support service dollars can come from. The City will support with CDBG funds, the
agencies that provide direct front line services to those finding themselves most in need in our
community. The on-going communication with those entities through meetings and interactive
monitoring sessions facilitates coordinated responses to meeting the needs of those underserved. The
City will work with the Mass Fair Housing Center to ensure people who feel they have been
discriminated against have a path for recourse. The City will also work with the Northampton Housing
Authority staff and Board of Commissioners to support their efforts to maximize opportunities for self-
sufficiency for their residents.
Actions planned to foster and maintain affordable housing
The City is always looking to acquire parcels that could be used affordable housing units. The City has
committed $608,000 in CPA funding to create supportive housing facility for 16 medically complex and
chronically homeless individuals that would include an affordability restriction. The City is in the process
of turning over a portion of a City parking lot downtown to build about 24 affordable units.
Whenever the City gives money for housing, it requires an affordability restriction. The Department of
Housing and Community Development's Subsidized Housing Inventory of formally subsidized housing
units is monitored continually by the Community Development Planner and the Housing Partnership. 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.
The NHA has had an incentive program this previous year to inform landlords on using Section 8
vouchers. The Housing Partnership has also been investigating over the last year, how the NHA could
possibly have higher voucher amounts if it did not use the Small Area FMR to calculate rents. This would
allow more people to lease up in Northampton where rents tend to be higher than in the Springfield
Metropolitan where the Small Area FMR rents are calculated by.
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.
Other state program are also posted on the Office of Planning & Sustainability website.
Levels of childhood lead poisoning remain low according to the State's Department of Public Health, but
the City is aware that lead paint is a silent discriminator when landlords refuse units to families so they
can avoid de-leading. The public education campaign that resulted from the Analysis of Impediments
report addressed increasing information dissemination about this illegal practice. The City's Board of
Health continues to maintain the database of units that have been certified as lead free. Previously,
letters 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. The
Community Development Planner will look for other sources of funding for de-leading homes. DRAFT 03/29/2022
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Actions planned to reduce the number of poverty-level families
The City will continue to support the MANNA Community 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.
CDBG funds have been allocated this year to Community Action's Resource and Advocacy Center where
people can call in and receive direct assistance to access resources and benefits. Bi-lingual staff are
available to serve the Latinx community. Community Legal Aid had 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. During COVID, applications for RAFT
and ERMA have been moved online.
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.
Actions planned to develop institutional structure
New for this program year will be the standing up of the Department of Community Care which will
naturally create more synergy between, the police, the Mayor’s Office, and the social service providers.
The Department of Community Care will also begin to facilitate the Next Step Collaborative meetings as
a soundboard from service providers and City staff.
The Office of Planning & Sustainability is kept informed of developing issues through monthly meetings
of the Northampton Housing Partnership, the Next Step Collaborative, the Coordinated Entry meetings
and the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness (services for individuals, families, youth,
Veterans). 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 legal aid attorney, a retired
VA Social Worker, a Housing Authority tenant, a domestic violence professional, a Smith College
professor, renters, homeowners, and interested citizens.
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 NHA and Meadowbrook Apartments. Close collaboration with the property DRAFT 03/29/2022
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managers, resident services coordinators, attorneys and case managers to accomplish housing
stabilization saves money for everyone. 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.
Way Finders manages the Lumber Yard Apartments and the Sergeant House for Valley CDC. In addition
to their own properties - Paradise Pond Apartments, the Earle Street SRO, Live 155 and the Lorraine SRO
at 96 Pleasant Street. Valley CDC utilizes HMR Property Management for the Maples, Millbank, the King
Street SRO and the School Street apartments. HMR is familiar with social service agencies providing
housing stabilization work for tenants and all interface collaboratively. Valley CDC and Way Finders also
work in partnership to develop, own, and manage affordable housing for the City and region.
The City will continue to work with the NHA’s Resident Services Coordinators to insure they are aware of
local resources to enhance self-sufficiency for their tenants. The NHA hired a RSC for Hampshire Heights,
in addition to Florence Heights, to serve the families in their public housing developments, an exciting
step forward.
The Coordinated Entry meetings have identified the need for more landlords to be willing to accept
chronically homeless people. 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 future events.
Discussion:
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Program Specific Requirements
AP-90 Program Specific Requirements – 91.220(l)(1,2,4)
Introduction:
The City does not have Section 108 loans, urban renewal settlements, lines of credit, float-funded
activities, or any other program income that has not been reprogrammed.
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
Reference 24 CFR 91.220(l)(1)
Projects planned with all CDBG funds expected to be available during the year are identified in the
Projects Table. The following identifies program income that is available for use that is included in
projects to be carried out.
1. The total amount of program income that will have been received before the start of the next
program year and that has not yet been reprogrammed 0
2. The amount of proceeds from section 108 loan guarantees that will be used during the year to
address the priority needs and specific objectives identified in the grantee's strategic plan. 0
3. The amount of surplus funds from urban renewal settlements 0
4. The amount of any grant funds returned to the line of credit for which the planned use has not
been included in a prior statement or plan 0
5. The amount of income from float-funded activities 0
Total Program Income: 0
Other CDBG Requirements
1. The amount of urgent need activities 0
2. The estimated percentage of CDBG funds that will be used for activities that benefit
persons of low and moderate income.Overall Benefit - A consecutive period of one,
two or three years may be used to determine that a minimum overall benefit of 70%
of CDBG funds is used to benefit persons of low and moderate income. Specify the
years covered that include this Annual Action Plan. 75.00%
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The Plan details how funds expected from the 2022 grant will be expended including anticipated income
from various loans of $1,000. This loan consists of a housing development loan payment of $1,000 per
year. Additional program income, if any, is unknown as it is dependent on whether or not deferred
housing rehab and home repair loans are paid off. Over the past several years, due to the difficult
economic situation, the City has seen a few repayments. The majority of homeowners request
subordinations. All unanticipated program income received during the prior program year has been
allocated in this year's document. DRAFT 03/29/2022
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