FY 2012 Year 29 CAPER1
City of Northampton Massachusetts
CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND
EVALUATION REPORT
July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013
Federal Fiscal Year 2012
CDBG Program Year 29
Executive Summary 2 - 4
Affordable Housing Narrative 5 - 10
Addressing Homelessness Narrative 11 - 13
Housing and Homeless Priority Needs 13 - 19
Housing and Homeless Collaborative Efforts 19 - 24
Northampton Housing Authority Activity 24 - 26
Public Facilities Priorities 26 - 27
Economic Development Activity 27 - 28
Public Services Priorities 29 - 30
Public Infrastructure Priorities 30 - 31
Leveraged Resources 32 - 38
Project Summaries 39 - 44
Infrastructure/ Public Facilities / Economic
Development/ Housing / Public Services /
Planning and Administration
Geographic Distribution 44
Fair Housing Activity/ Lead Paint Abatement 45 - 46
Institutional Structure 47
Appendix: Financial Summary Reports,
Legal Ad, Homeless counts
2
INTRODUCTION
As a recipient of Federal Community Development Block Grant funds, the City is required to
prepare a five year Consolidated Plan that identifies the most critical community development
needs. Each successive year the City prepares an annual Action Plan that articulates how those
needs will be addressed. This performance report summarizes the Annual Action Plan
achievements.
This past year's programming addressed a majority of the high and medium priority needs
identified. All CDBG funds programmed this past year, including all available funds remaining
from prior years, were directed towards meeting the CDBG National Objective of benefiting
persons with low and moderate incomes and to the elimination of slums and blight.
High Priority Needs Addressed
Preservation of the Existing Shelter System
Creation of new Affordable Rental Housing Stock
Homelessness Prevention
Housing Support Services
Emergency Food Assistance
Youth Programs
Medium Priority Needs Addressed
Improvement of Public Facilities
Micro Businesses Assistance
Skills & Training Development
This chart summarizes the 2012 Program Year funding availability and expenditures:
Prior Year Funding $ 335,140
FY12 Grant Award $ 588,403
Program Income Received $ 82,867
Total Funds Available $ 1,006,410
Total Funds Expended $ 637,015
3
OBJECTIVE ADDRESSED ACTION
Assisting homeless persons obtain
affordable housing
CDBG support for the Inter-Faith Cot
Shelter, the Grove Street Inn
Assisting persons at risk of homelessness CDBG support for SRO Outreach, Manna
Soup Kitchen, Survival Center, Mass. Fair
Housing Center, Community Legal Aid
Retaining the affordable housing stock CDBG support for New South Street
Apartments
Increasing availability of affordable
permanent housing
Support for moving Habitat, VCDC and
Housing Authority projects forward
Providing affordable housing accessible to
job opportunities
CDBG support for New South Street Apts.
Improving the safety and livability of
neighborhoods
CDBG support for Fairgrounds re-
development project
Eliminating blighting influences and
deterioration of properties and facilities
CDBG support for Grove Street Inn, James
House and Fairgrounds projects
Increasing access to quality public and
private facilities
CDBG support for Forbes Library, Grace
House and the Senior Center
Reducing isolation of income groups
through housing de-concentration
Support housing development projects
when proposed in City
Restoring and preserving special
properties
CDBG support for Fairgrounds
redevelopment and the James House
Conserving energy resources CDBG support for James House
renovation & Senior Center construction
Creating and retaining jobs CDBG support for Valley CDC Micro-
Business Assistance Program
Expanding micro businesses CDBG support for Valley CDC Micro-
Business Assistance Program
Provision of public services concerned
with employment
CDBG support for Literacy Project, Center
for New Americans, James House
Learning Center, Valley CDC Business
Assistance Program, Grove Street Inn,
Casa Latina
Availability of mortgage financing using
non-discriminatory lending practices
CDBG support for Mass. Fair Housing
Center & Valley CDC Homeownership
Center
Access to capital and credit for economic
development and asset building
CBDG support for Valley CDC Business
Assistance Center, Homeownership
Center, Literacy Project, Center for New
Americans
4
CDBG funding allocations were spread across a diverse array of projects and services, all of
which were targeted to meet the City's high and medium priority needs. A detailed list of
funded activities and annual accomplishments follows.
Summary
CDBG funding was prioritized for programs that help low and moderate income residents
address their basic needs. The Northampton Survival Center received funding for their
emergency food pantry and Kid's Summer Food Program, which bridged the summer nutrition
gap by distributing free groceries for breakfasts and lunches to children who rely on the school
meal programs during the year. A meals program operated by the Manna Soup Kitchen in
downtown was available to the homeless and other persons with limited means who may be
choosing whether to pay their rent or eat.
CDBG funding was allocated to programs that assist the homeless in Northampton by
supporting staffing at the City's homeless shelters (Grove Street Inn and Interfaith Cot Shelter).
Homelessness prevention was accomplished by the Community Legal Aid Project by working
with families in the court system, and the SRO Outreach Project that works to preserve
tenancies by linking residents with support services. Many of the public services grant
recipients such as Manna Soup Kitchen and the Literacy Project's Passport to Success Program
indirectly accomplish homelessness prevention.
For City residents who are renters, CDBG-funded activities included counseling for households
that felt they experienced discrimination. Efforts were made to inform real estate professionals
and rental property owners of their rights and responsibilities to insure that a rental situation is
beneficial for both parties. Additionally, the SRO Outreach program provided housing
stabilization support to residents of SRO units through food pantry access and linkages to other
service delivery systems. Community Legal Aid assisted households in publicly assisted rental
units maintain their tenancies and secure support services to avoid eviction.
For those households able to afford homeownership, the Valley CDC Program offered
counseling, guidance and referral to HOME assisted units in the area. Financial Literacy
workshops, fair housing workshops and First Time Homebuyer Sessions were all offered to
insure future homeowners are educated about the home buying process. Valley CDC and HAP,
the regional housing agency, offered foreclosure prevention assistance to help maintain housing
stabilization once homeownership was obtained.
Economic development goals were furthered as work progressed on the Fairgrounds
Redevelopment Project, the James House Community Learning Center and through the Valley
CDC's Micro Business Assistance Program.
5
The City implemented its FYl2 CDBG Action Plan through the combined efforts of City
departments, the Northampton Housing Authority, area non-profit social service agencies, local
economic development organizations and non-profit local and regional housing providers.
Affordable Housing
The City of Northampton expended $69,442 of its available CDBG funds for housing and
homelessness activities. The components funded this past year were:
Valley CDC First Time Homebuyer Program $20,000
$ 6,000 Down-payment Assistance
Grants
Housing Support Services/ SRO Outreach $13,772
Homeless Shelter Staffing
(Grove Street & Inter-Faith Cot Shelter)
$27,520
Fair Housing Services and AI Update $ 2,150
Total $69,442
The City's efforts to create and preserve affordable housing units and support housing
stabilization activities were supplemented by leveraging the following resources:
• HUD Self Help Homeownership Opportunity Funding
(Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity)
• HUD McKinney Vento Supportive Housing Program funding
• Federal SAMHSA funds
• HUD VASH vouchers
• Federal Affordable Home Loan Bank Funding (Habitat for Humanity)
• MA Department of Housing and Community Development programs
Such as Affordable Housing Trust funds, Housing Innovations Fund
• Mass Housing and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership
• Community Preservation Act funds dispersed locally
Homeownership Housing Production
A new phase of housing development (pictured below) at Village Hill (formerly Northampton
State Hospital) made major headway this past year. This 27 lot subdivision is a neighborhood of
market rate housing on small narrow lots. 15 lots have been purchased and many new houses
have been built on those lots. The affordable units in the first and second phase are fully rented
and have now been operational for several years. A resident association is working to bring the
mixed income residents together. The commercial components are also starting to materialize.
6
Kollmorgen, a defense system contractor on the south campus is fully operational and a new
retail building at the entrance to the north campus is underway.
Christopher Heights, the assisted living development proposed for the site secured all permits
and funding this past year and will break ground in the spring of 2014. 43 of the 83 units
proposed will be affordable to low and moderate income residents. Wright Builders continued
constructing the market rate single family homes and townhouses.
Schematic of the bungalow development as proposed by Pecoy Builders.
Soldier On continued its quest to construct transitional housing and limited equity coops for
Veteran’s on the Veteran’s Administration Campus in Leeds. An enhanced use lease for 10 acres
has been secured from the VA. Federal funds are in place and the closing for State funds is
scheduled for January 2014. Construction is planned for March and will be completed within
one year. The new development will create 60 units in two buildings. 44 of those will be units
for frail/ elderly men with a cooperative form of ownership. The remaining 16 units will be for
women Veterans and their children.
Soldier On continued to participate in Continuum of Care meetings and attend Regional
Network to End Homelessness committee meetings. The model they have implemented for
developing and offering Veterans different housing options is now being replicated nationally.
Soldier On representatives are traveling to many locations to administer grants and provide
technical assistance on how to successfully serve and house Veterans.
7
Locus site plan for the Leeds campus project in Northampton
Habitat for Humanity
Work continued this year at the Verona Garfield Habitat site. The third home was occupied and
significant progress was made on the fourth home. There is one more single family home
planned for the site. The City will list and sell the remaining market rate lot over the winter and
spring. A design competition is being held this fall to select a design for that lot that can be used
as inspiration for infill lots across the City.
The working relationship with the Building Program at Smith Vocational High School continues
to provide mutual benefit and is a stellar example of community partnership. Habitat staff and
volunteers continued to support all the Habitat families during the year. With only a couple of
8
exceptions all of the families living in Habitat homes in Northampton are the original families,
going back to the 1990’s.
The photo below shows the Garfield site (land donated by the City). The unit on the far left was
completed in June of 2010; the unit in the middle - June of 2011 and the handicap accessible unit
on the right saw completion in June of 2013. The newest unit and the remaining market rate lot
being sold by the City in 2014, are across the street.
Garfield Avenue Habitat Project
Rental Housing Production
Valley CDC’s King Street SRO project completed in December of 2011 continues to operate
successfully at full capacity. The project added 10 new SRO units to the inventory and
addressed a high priority of creating additional SRO units. Of the 10 enhanced SRO units, 5
were designated for formerly homeless individuals. The building has on-site laundry and a
community room and each unit has a bathroom and kitchenette. There is rented commercial
space on the first floor. A lottery was conducted on May 25th, 2011 for 5 apartments; the
9
remaining 5 units were rented through referrals from the homeless service provider
community. Monthly rent is $500.00 including utilities.
Valley CDC, being a multi-community organization (Northampton, Amherst and Easthampton)
focused on moving forward a 38 unit affordable rental family development in Easthampton this
past year. The project will be put out to bid this October, with hopes for a closing on financing
early in 2014. Construction will commence in the spring, with occupancy planned for spring of
2015.This will be a welcome addition to the regions affordable rental inventory. The project
received 3.6 million dollars in tax credits and other State funding sources to build the 12 million
dollar project. Permitting for this project began in 2010.
HAP will break ground on an affordable rental housing development in Amherst on October
21st 2013. 42 units are planned for low income families and individuals on a 13 acre parcel. The
8.7 million dollar project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2014. The apartments will be
available for those with incomes of 60% AMI or less; for Amherst that means households
earning $49,140 or less for a family of four. Rents will be $878 for one bedroom units, $1,048 for
two - bedroom units and $1,205 for three bedroom units with heat and hot water included.
Three units will be fully handicapped accessible and three are being set aside for tenants who
are hearing impaired. A community building will have laundry facilities and the complex will
be smoke free. $1.72 million will come from the Department of Housing and Community
Development’s Housing Stabilization and Investment Trust fund financing, Massachusetts
Housing Equity Fund for a tax credit equity investment of $8.4 million, eight project based
federal Section 8 subsidies, a $100,000 commitment from the local Interfaith Housing
Corporation, $4,000 in energy incentives per unit from the Western Massachusetts Electric
Company and $250,000 from Amherst Community Preservation Act funds.
The Ground Breaking ceremony will honor Congressman John Olver of Amherst for his lifelong
service with an award from NeighborWorks, a national organization that supports affordable
housing and community development. An announcement will also be made about the
establishment of a scholarship fund for students interested in pursuing careers in affordable
housing development.
Valley CDC made several offers on local properties during the year. It is hoped that
Northampton will be the location for the next affordable housing project undertaken by the
CDC. Offers were made on the Shaw’s Motel parcel and the Northampton Lumberyard.
The Maple Avenue Gandara House continues to operate smoothly. This project involved the
acquisition of a duplex for 6 units of housing for formerly homeless individuals committed to
sobriety. This was a Friends of Hampshire County Homeless initiative. Funding was secured
from MassHousing CCRI’s program, a Community Preservation Committee award and private
fundraising. The property was purchased by the Friends and sold to the Gandara Center, who
10
operates and manages the program. The house became fully rented in November 2011 and in
the past year tenancies were solidified.
Rental Assistance
The VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) Program is administered by the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leeds. With 35 new vouchers issued in 2013,
it brings the total number in the region to 450. 411 are currently in use. The Northampton
Housing Authority administers 280 and the others are in use in Berkshire County and
Worcester. Northampton received 15 of the 35 new vouchers. The program has continued to
grow every year, but placements in Northampton proper are still limited by the fair market rent
rates.
Aids Care of Hampshire County implemented a McKinney funding award putting 10 new
housing subsidies with support services for households impacted by HIV/Aids into the region.
Preservation of Existing Stock
The Council on Aging no longer administers a housing rehabilitation program. As the CDBG
allocation continued to decrease, it became financially infeasible for them to allocate staff time
and resources to operate the program. Funding for 2 households continued into this fiscal year,
completing projects that were begun in the prior fiscal year. No new projects were undertaken.
Once the Senior Center debt service ends, CDBG funding will be assessed to determine if a new
program could be undertaken with a new administering agency.
Homeownership Assistance
The Director of Valley Community Development’s Homeownership Assistance Program
assisted 46 households. All First Time Homebuyers were referred to the HOME funded
American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI). Of the 46 served, 30 were first time
homebuyers and 16 were existing homeowners facing or at risk of foreclosure. Pre-purchase
households worked on debt reduction, credit score improvement and savings for down
payments. 2 households utilized the Down-Payment Assistance grants for $3,000 each. Post
purchase counseling is time intensive, involving negotiating with banks to accept repayment
plans, submission of loan modification packages and working with households to reduce debt
and increase income. Although foreclosure activity has lessened in the region, cases continue to
be seen locally.
*The countless hours worked by Director Donna Cabana to get and keep people housed should
be acknowledged.
11
During the year, Valley increased outreach and marketing efforts to reach more low and
moderate income households. Fliers were provided to church groups, daycare centers, non-
profits and other social service agencies.
Homelessness Prevention
Community Action, the anti-poverty agency serving Franklin and Hampshire County
continued their work with court involved families facing homelessness. Funding sources
included State ESG, Interfaith Help fund, Charles White Fund, State RAFT funds, Community
Action’s Heat Up Plus/ funds raised internally, the Salvation Army and small private
contributions. The Community Action case advocate worked with 245 households in both
counties during the year. Of those, 160 families were able to preserve their housing. That
included 30 households without dependent children. 68 families accessed financial assistance.
21 households from Northampton were assisted.
The Tenancy Preservation Program, operating throughout the Pioneer Valley assisted 5
Northampton residents this past year. Under the auspices of MassHousing, the program
worked to prevent homelessness among people with disabilities. TPP acts as a neutral party
between landlord and tenant and provides clinical consultation services to the Housing Court.
TPP operated in collaboration with a number of agencies and organizations:
The Housing Court / Department of the Massachusetts Trial Court
The Massachusetts Departments of Children and Families, Developmental Services,
Housing and Community Development, Mental Health, Public Health, and Transitional
Assistance
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Public housing authorities
Private management companies
Local legal service agencies
The program targets individuals and families where a disability is both present and directly
related to the reason for eviction. TPP clinicians assess the reasons for the eviction, identify
needed services, develop a treatment plan to maintain the tenancy, and monitor the case. If the
tenancy cannot be preserved, TPP coordinates the tenant's transition to a more appropriate
placement, preventing homelessness whenever possible. Of the 5 households assisted in
Northampton, 5 tenancies were preserved. Of the 20 households assisted in Hampshire County,
(inclusive of the Northampton data), 15 tenancies were preserved, 4 moved to more appropriate
housing and 1 was evicted.
SRO Outreach Project - The SRO Outreach Coordinator was ever present in several of the
private and non-profit SRO’s in the community, holding coffee hours and linking individuals
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with needed resources. A total of 253 people were served over this year, including 19 new
individuals. All served were 30% or below of area median income. Transport to appointments,
help with securing mainstream resources, operation of an emergency food pantry are all
interventions provided that preserve tenancies. This one person program focused on housing
stabilization and homelessness prevention and is an unsung critical component in our local
service delivery system.
ServiceNet’s Resource Center - The day program located at 43 Center Street is “command
central” for serving the homeless and those at risk of homelessness. Described as the entry point
for intake into our homelessness service system, it opens the door every morning to between 20
and 40 individuals looking for a meal, a shower and a case manager to help them plan a course
of action for the future. With no dedicated funding source for this work, ServiceNet staffers, in
addition to Health Care for the Homeless nurses and other service providers assist clients with
housing search for those without homes and work to preserve tenancies for those already
housed. Approximately 125 unduplicated people were served this year. Many enter the shelter
system, either at the Winter Inter-faith Cot Shelter, or into the Grove Street Inn year round
shelter. But since both shelters are not open during the day, all the case management work
happens at the Drop In during the day.
An operational shift occurred during this past year. Due to the high volume of clients,
managing the breakfast, lunch, showers, laundry and case management became chaotic.
ServiceNet changed their mode of operation to appointment based and no longer serve meals.
There are other meals programs in the community that folks can utilize. There is now more
focus on case management and moving people forward. That is the reason for the drop in
numbers served. There was also an effort to find a new location for the program, but a long
term lease was negotiated with the building owner which allows it to stay. The name of the
program was changed from the Drop In Center to the Hampshire County Resource Center.
Community Legal Aid - During 2011, CLA was selected as a new CDBG public services sub-
recipient. Formerly known as Western Mass. Legal Services, CLA used the award to leverage
Federal ESG funds to create a position. A part time attorney present in the Housing Court
assisted 27 very low income households during this past year. The attorney worked on eviction
defense and housing voucher termination cases. In virtually all the cases, tenancies were
preserved.
According to CLA’s application for funding….” 62% of renter households in the Springfield
Metropolitan Statistical Area are unable to afford the rent on a two bedroom apartment. The
study showed that a household earning minimum wage would need to work 85 hours each
week to afford a two bedroom units… For low-income tenants with rent subsidies… expert
legal assistance at critical times in the eviction and subsidy termination processes can preserve a
precious commodity, affordable rent - and can mean the difference between stability and
homelessness.”
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The application also states that “the landlord in many public and subsidized eviction cases is
often represented by an attorney. In 2011, the Western Division of the Housing Court had the
second highest number of eviction cases in the state and only 5.6% of the tenants were
represented by counsel, compared to 59% of landlords. Also, a growing number of eviction and
subsidy termination cases are related to disabilities and reasonable accommodation”. In this
year, CLA worked closely with the Tenancy Preservation Program, Community Action and the
Mass. Justice Project to help families avoid homelessness.
* The work of Toni Hochstadt and Enrique Pacheco of Community Action, Linda Driscoll of the
Tenancy Preservation Program/Mental Health Association, Nancy Gonzalez-Silva and Stephen
Mendozzi of the Center for Human Development’s SRO Outreach Project, Wanda Rolon and
Mike Trembley of ServiceNet and Claudia Phillips/ Health Care for the Homeless, Jen Dieringer
and Chantal St. Fleur of Community Legal Aid, should be acknowledged for their work day in
and day out helping people move towards safety and stability.
Housing and Homelessness Priority/Activity Chart
Need Strategy Objective Outcome Number to
be served
Goal
Met
Homelessness
Prevention
High Priority
Create a family
outreach and
support
program for
court involved
households
Assisting
persons at-
risk of
becoming
homeless
Sustainability
of Decent
Housing
50 EL
50 LI
Yes
245 hh’s
Administered
by
Community
Action
Advocate for
funding for the
Tenancy
Preservation
Program
Assisting
persons at-
risk of
becoming
homeless
Sustainability
of Decent
Housing
10 EL
10 LI
Yes
Funded by
ESG and
MassHousing
Continue to
support the SRO
Outreach
Program
Assisting
persons at-
risk of
becoming
homeless
Sustainability
of Decent
Housing
100 EL
50 LI
Yes
253 Served
CDBG
support
13,772
Collaborate with
Highland Valley
Elder Services to
identify frail
elders living
alone
Assisting
persons at-
risk of
becoming
homeless
Sustainability
of Decent
Housing
10 EL
Yes
2 disabled, 9
elderly
SRO project
w/HVES
funding
14
Support self-
sufficiency, life
skills attainment
programs
Assisting
persons at-
risk of
becoming
homeless
Sustainability
of Decent
Housing
100 EL
75 LI
Yes
253 served by
SRO - $ 13,772
CDBG &
27 by
Community
Legal Aid
$2,655 CDBG
Provision of
Emergency
Shelter
High Priority
Continue to
support staff
capacity for
emergency
shelter system
Assisting
homeless
persons
obtain
affordable
housing
Availability/
Affordability
250 EL
Yes
114 Served at
Grove;
$14,620 CDBG
200 at Cot
$12,900 CDBG
Improve the
physical
environment
and energy
efficiency at the
Grove Street Inn
Provide safe
and sanitary
emergency
shelter
Availability/
Affordability
100 EL
Yes
Kitchen
improvements
$2710 CDBG
Provide
Rapid Re-
housing
services
High Priority
Facilitate
coordinated case
management to
re-house those
who lose their
housing
Assisting
homeless
persons
obtain
affordable
housing
Availability/
Affordability
20 EL
Hard to
quantify
because we
have no
program
focused on
this solely
Increase
Access to
Housing
High Priority
Create first, last
and security
deposit funding
For formerly
homeless
Assisting
homeless
persons
obtain
affordable
housing
Availability/
Affordability
10EL
Yes
Secured
$10,000 for
accessing
housing CPC
to ServiceNet
7/1/2013
Preservation
of Affordable
Housing
High Priority
Projects funded
through the
Community
Preservation
Act
Retention of
the affordable
housing stock
Sustainability
of decent,
affordable
housing
18 EL
New South
Street Apts.
$130,000
CDBG and
250,000 CPC/
both pending
Monitor and
advocate as
needed to
Retention of
the affordable
housing stock
Sustainability
of decent,
affordable
housing
21 units
Leeds Village
expires in 2018
252 units
Dialogue with
Mass Housing
& owners
15
protect expiring
use properties
Hathaway
Farms 2014
Re: new loan
tools on going
Re-establish a
Housing
Rehabilitation
Program
Retention of
the affordable
housing stock,
energy
efficiency,
housing
quality
Sustainability
of decent,
affordable
housing
0 units
No
Will work
with Hilltown
CDC and
PVPC after
Senior Ctr.
Debt service
expires
Sustain and
improve existing
Single Room
Occupancy
Units
Retention of
the affordable
housing stock
Sustainability
of decent,
affordable
housing
15 EL No new
projects
Valley CDC
looking for
properties
Support
landlords who
are providing
market rate
affordable units
Retention of
the affordable
housing stock
Sustainability
of decent,
affordable
housing
Letter sent
from Mayor
expressing
appreciation
with resources
list
On-going
Provide
assistance for
rehabilitation
activities/
preserve stock
Retention of
the affordable
housing stock
Sustainability
of decent,
affordable
housing
18 units will
be improved
New South St.
apts. Changed
ownership
caused delay
in rehab
activity
Impact
Affordability
of Rental
Housing
High Priority
Support
Northampton
Housing
Authority
(local), HAP
Housing &
VASH (regional)
rental assistance
programs
Increase
utilization of
rental
subsidies
Improved
affordability
35 New
VASH
vouchers/
local
utilization of
subsidies/
FMR remains
problem
Yes
new VASH
vouchers
recvd.
411/450
housed in
region.
Establish Task
Force to increase
exceptions rents
and reconfigure
the regional
Standard
Metropolitan
Increase
utilization of
rental
subsidies in
Northampton
Improved
availability/
affordability
Est. new
SMSA for
Northampton
No action
taken.
16
Statistical Area
(Federal
Congressional
action required)
Advocate for
increased
funding for the
Massachusetts
Rental Voucher
Program
Increase
availability of
rental
subsidies
Improved
availability/
affordability
No info. On #
of new
vouchers
issued locally,
but increased
statewide
allocation.
Yes
Program
increased for
new budget
year by 6
million.
Production of
Rental
Housing for
Individuals
High Priority
Identify suitable
municipal land
and make
available for
housing
Increase
availability of
affordable
permanent
housing
New
availability/ a
suitable living
environment
0 units
brought on
line this year.
No parcels
identified
No
Developers
forum held
April 23; 2nd
planned for
October
Pursue tax title
property for
affordable
housing
Increase
availability of
affordable
permanent
housing
New
availability/ a
suitable living
environment
None
identified for
LM
No properties
identified
Will continue
to monitor
Convert existing
housing to
affordable
housing
Increase
availability of
affordable
permanent
housing
New
availability/ a
suitable living
environment/
Sustainability
0 units
brought on
line this year.
Developer’s
forums being
held to
stimulate
production.
May and
October, &
November.
Promote Infill
development
Increasing the
availability of
affordable
permanent
housing
New
availability/ a
suitable living
environment/
Sustainability
0 units
created
No projects
were
implemented.
Infill site
design
competition
planned for
fall.
Identify and
implement
Housing First,
Safe Haven
projects
Increasing the
availability of
affordable
permanent
housing
New
availability/ a
suitable living
environment
0 units
No project
identified at
this time.
No projects
initiated this
year.
Examine
adaptive reuse
and mixed use
Increasing the
availability of
affordable
New
availability/ a
0 VCDC made
offers on
properties;
17
possibilities for
affordable
housing
permanent
housing
suitable living
environment
No project
identified at
this time.
developers
forums
planned to
stimulate
activity.
Examine,
identify and
implement
enhanced SRO
projects
Increasing the
availability of
affordable
permanent
housing
New
availability/ a
suitable living
environment
No project
identified at
this time.
.
No projects
moved
forward, but
Valley and
HAP
searching
Production of
Rental
Housing for
Families
High Priority
Examine
locations and
designs to
accommodate
smaller
households/
cottage style,
accessory
apartments
Increasing the
availability of
suitably sized
affordable
housing
New
availability/ a
suitable living
environment
No project
identified at
this time.
Senior Co-
housing
sessions held.
Nov. 27th,
2012 and
December 6,
2012 in
Northampton.
Dev. forum
held 4/23
Convert existing
housing to
affordable
housing
Utilize
existing stock
New
availability/ a
suitable living
environment
No project
identified at
this time. .
No sites
identified.
Developer
Forum held
Promote Infill
development for
smaller
households
Protect
undeveloped
areas
New
availability/ a
suitable living
environment
No project
identified at
this time.
No projects
identified.
Will continue
to pursue.
Identify suitable
municipal
parcels for
development
Keep
developer
costs down
New
availability/ a
suitable living
environment
No project
identified at
this time.
No projects
identified.
Will continue
to pursue.
Affordable
Home
ownership
Opportunity
Medium
Priority
Continue to
fund and
support the First
Time
Homebuyer
Program/
Increasing the
availability of
affordable
housing for
ownership
A suitable
living
environment
and economic
opportunity/
46 LM
households
served
Yes
46 served
CDBG $20,000
Down-
payment
Grants
$6,000
18
Support area
foreclosure
prevention
programs/
efforts
Increasing the
availability of
affordable
housing for
ownership
A suitable
living
environment
and economic
opportunity/
neighborhood
and economic
stabilization
25 LI
households
served
Yes
26 served
Support of
Valley CDC
and HAP
Support post-
purchase
counseling;
budgeting and
financial literacy
programs
Increasing the
availability of
affordable
housing for
ownership
A suitable
living
environment
and economic
opportunity/
neighborhood
and
economic
stabilization
15 LI
households
served
Yes
16 served by
Valley CDC
and 20+
Florence
Savings Bank
Continue to
fund and
support Fair
Lending and
anti-
discrimination
practices and
programs
Increasing the
availability of
affordable
housing for
ownership
A suitable
living
environment
and economic
opportunity/
neighborhood
and economic
stabilization
25 EL and LI
households
served
Yes
56 served
CDBG funded
for annual
work
$2,150
Maintain and
Provide
Housing for
At-Risk
Populations.
High Priority
Identify ways to
continue the
programming
instituted
through the
State ICHH
funds and the
Federal stimulus
allocations
Increase the
supply of
supportive
housing to
enable
homeless and
special needs
populations to
live
independently
Increase
accessibility
and
availability/ a
suitable living
environment.
50 EL
households
served
53 housed to
date
3 year grant
Continue to
assess the needs
of the seriously
mentally ill after
the completion
of the units at
the former
Northampton
State hospital
Increase the
supply of
supportive
housing for
homeless and
special needs
populations
Increase
accessibility
and
availability/ a
suitable living
environment.
0 units
0 units
planned
No new
resources
through DMH
19
Continue to
assess the needs
of the
developmentally
disabled after
the completion
of the
Northampton
Housing
Authority
project on Burt’s
Pit Road
Increase the
supply of
supportive
housing to
enable
homeless and
special
needs
populations
Increase
accessibility
and
availability/ a
suitable living
environment.
10 EL units
Advocate for
funding to
move the
NHA Burts
Pit project
forward/
10 units for
DDS/ all
designed and
permitted; no
state funds
available
Identify funding
and locations for
a second
Yvonne’s House
and a Safe
Havens
Program
Increase the
supply of
supportive
housing to
enable
homeless and
special needs
populations.
Increase
accessibility
and
availability/ a
suitable living
environment.
4-6 EL units
created
Will continue
work on
developing a
Safe Havens
Yes
6 EL units
created,
rented up
Gandara
Friends
House
Fully
occupied
2012.
Housing and Homelessness Collaborative Efforts
Northampton Housing Partnership
The Housing Partnership (active since 1990) continued to meet monthly throughout the past
year. The Partnership advocates for affordable rental and homeownership units by working
with non-profit agencies, private developers and others to create and preserve affordable
housing. In addition to tasks associated with implementation of the Housing Needs Assessment
and Strategic Plan, it addressed the following this past year:
• Met with Mayor Narkewicz to discuss Housing Plan goals and objectives
• Met with the Planning Director to discuss surplus municipal property,
zoning revisions, Planning Grant for new unit development options
• Met with the housing advocates on the Community Preservation Community to
brainstorm how to encourage submission of housing proposals
• Reviewed CPC applications and supported applicants by attending CPC meetings
• Monitored unit creation at the former State Hospital
• Monitored expiring use properties and the Subsidized Housing Inventory
• Monitored language revisions to the Community Preservation Act law
20
• Implemented some Impediments to Fair Housing Analysis recommendations
• Identified support to families in subsidized housing as a primary goal
to address the numbers of homeless families in the hotels/motels and
the number of evictions of families currently living in assisted housing
• Met with Springfield Housing Authority to hear about their resident services
program
• Began crafting a CPC application for such a program
• Received updates from the Western Mass. Network to End Homelessness
• Received updates from the Downtown Resource Center Work Group
• Began series of OP ED columns in local paper to increase awareness about affordable
housing issues
• Participated in first Developers Forum held April 23rd, focused on brainstorming
downtown development opportunities
The Partnership serves as the City’s fair housing committee. To actively further fair housing
access and opportunity, it continued to work closely with the Massachusetts Fair Housing
Center. (see update on activity in Fair Housing section.)
Community Preservation Committee
By official City Charter, the Housing Partnership oversees funding recommendations for CDBG
housing activities and reviews all applications made to the City's housing draw down fund.
Funds for affordable housing projects have been limited due to the Senior Center debt
repayment obligation and the ever diminishing total allocation from HUD. However, the
Community Preservation Act fund has been able to support housing projects and has
successfully done so for the past several years. The two groups continued to work closely
together this year. The local Community Preservation Committee requires applicants coming
before them for housing projects, to acquire an endorsement from the Housing Partnership.
Through this review process, the Partnership can confirm for the CPC deliberation that the
proposed project addresses (or not) the priority needs articulated in the Housing Plan.
During 2011-12, no new housing projects were submitted to the CPC. The Housing
Partnership made plans to rectify that by doing outreach to insure applications went in
this year. The prior dry spell was largely due to Habitat for Humanity continuing to
work on the Garfield Avenue site and projects in other communities, and Valley CDC
being embroiled in a lengthy permitting battle in Easthampton. The Partnership made a
commitment to identify additional projects and 2 were submitted and approved this
year.
The first project was initiated by the Next Step Collaborative and the Housing Partnership. Any
needs assessment brainstorming session always pointed to the need for resources for first and
last month’s rent and security deposits. Assembling these dollar amounts is always challenging
for households with limited incomes and particularly difficult for those currently homeless.
21
ServiceNet, Inc. was approached about administering a loan fund to meet this high priority
need. The application was made to the CPC as a result of recent revisions that had been made to
the State law governing the Community Preservation Act. That revision broadened the
definition of “support for community housing” to include : programs that provide grants, loans,
rental assistance, security deposits, interest-rate write downs or other forms assistance directly
to individuals and families who are eligible for community housing, or to housing, for the
purpose of making housing affordable.
This was the first non bricks and mortar application to the Community Preservation
Committee. It was well presented and had strong community support. The Committee
approved it unanimously and a $10,000 award was made to ServiceNet for implementation this
summer and fall. The program design is a loan framework. The hope is that once people get
settled in their housing that they can repay a portion of the loan back to assist someone else, and
the original allocation will be revolving.
The second application originated from the Mayor in support of the Christopher Heights
Assisted Living Development proposed for Village Hill. Christopher Heights of Northampton
will be composed of a three story building containing 83 units. There will be 71 studio
apartments, and 12 one bedroom units. A minimum of 17 units (20%) will be restricted to
extremely low income residents earning less than 30% of the area median income while an
additional 26 units will be restricted to residents earning less than 60% of AMI. These units will
be affordable in perpetuity. Not only will it serve the special needs of the elderly senior
population, but it contributes to multi-generational housing options offered at the site. This
$13,400,000 development will generate $8,600,000 in construction spending resulting in 65
construction related jobs and create 40 new permanent jobs, introducing $825,000 in payroll into
the local economy. The project developers requested $120,000 from the Community
Preservation Committee and it was approved.
Community Preservation Act Funding
Project CPA $ Leveraged Total Project
Budget
Habitat for Humanity
Garfield Avenue
$120,000 $579,975 $699,975
Friends of the
Homeless Straw Ave.
Housing 1st
$220,000 $175,000 $395,000
Housing Partnership
Strategic Plan
$34,694 $0 $34,694
Valley CDC/ FTHB $26,161 $0 $26,161
Alliance for Sober
Living/ renov.
$37,540 $8,000 $45,540
Paradise Pond/HAP $26,627 $0 $26,627
22
Grove Street Inn $8,824 $0 $8,824
Valley CDC/ King
Street SRO
$225,000 $1,885,000 $2,110,000
Valley CDC Maple
Street SRO
$250,000 $1,765,000 2,015,000
VCDC- predev. Fund
1
$10,000 $0 10,000
VCDC- predev. Fund
2
$10,000 $0 10,000
VCDC Development
Fund
$80,000 $0 $80,000
Habitat Garfield 2
$60,000 $108,605 $168,605
Habitat Garfield 2
$60,000 $108,604 $168,604
Habitat Garfield 2
$60,000 $108,604 $168,604
Grove Street Inn
rehab
$36,950 $0 $36,950
Friends of Homeless
Sober House 1&2
$150,000
$30,000
$185,000 $365,000
*Access to Housing
Initiative
$10,000 $0 $0
*Christopher Heights
Assisted Living
$120,000 $13,400,000 $13,520,000
Total
$1,575,796
$18,323,788
$19,889,584
*This program year
Next Step Collaborative
The Next Step Collaborative is the monthly gathering of all housing and homeless service
providers in the City. This group, active since 1994, is charged with the creation and oversight
of a coordinated and comprehensive care delivery system for the City's low and moderate-
income individuals and families, with specific focus on the homeless. Facilitated by the City's
Housing Planner, providers came together each month this last program year to share
information about services provided, service gaps and identified issues that needed attention.
This venue guaranteed that all participants were aware of existing resources and gave agency
staff the opportunity to check in with each other and kept City staff informed about needs in the
community.
Topics addressed last year included the need to relocate the homeless Drop In Center to a more
adequate space, street activity related to panhandling, homeless outreach services, numbers and
23
locations of unsheltered homeless, shelter capacity issues, coordination with the Amherst,
Easthampton, Springfield and Westfield shelter programs and the creation of the rental
assistance application to the Community Preservation Committee.
Three County Continuum of Care
The City of Northampton continued to serve as the lead agency for the Three County
Continuum of Care until December 1, 2012. The Continuum included Franklin, Hampshire and
Hampden counties with the exception of the City of Springfield. The City served as the lead for
16 years and was responsible for securing one million dollars plus annually for 14-16 programs
in the region.
The decision was made during 2011-12 to relinquish the lead agency role to administer the
McKinney Grant and oversee the Continuum. A Request for Expressions of Interest was issued
in the spring of 2012. After a review of responses and an interview process, the Hilltown
Community Development Corporation was chosen to move the Continuum forward. Work
commenced and continued during 2012 to accomplish that transition process which concluded
December 1st, 2012. The City will continue to serve as the grantee for the Shelter Plus Care
Program until another entity can be identified.
Western Massachusetts Regional Network to End Homelessness
The City continued to participate in the Regional Network to End Homelessness this past year.
The Housing Planner represented the City and Mayor at the Leadership Council meetings and
attended Individual Services and Unaccompanied Youth committee meetings. She ceased
attending the Steering Committee, Management Team and Governance Committee, after the
City was no longer the Continuum lead.
The Network has developed a stellar statewide reputation for consensus building and
improving coordination among all stakeholders. In addition to effective advocacy, progress
continued on the paradigm shift from a shelter based solution to housing. The region continued
to be challenged by the number of homeless families in motels in W. Springfield, Chicopee,
Springfield and Greenfield. The family service providers implemented DHCD’s HomeBase
program and continued to coordinate resources to serve and house ever increasing numbers of
homeless families.
Additional funding sources (Pioneer Valley United Way, The Community Foundation of
Western Mass,) have been secured to keep the Network Coordinator position funded. The first
and only Regional Network Coordinator, Pamela Schwartz is also a Northampton City
Councilor and the Chair of the Leadership Council for the Network, Lynne Wallace, is Chair of
the Northampton Housing Partnership. The City acknowledges the tremendous efforts of both
individuals.
24
Western Massachusetts Inter-Agency Council on Housing and Homelessness
WMIC continued to meet quarterly this past year. This is a gathering of representatives of State
agencies, service providers and representatives of the 3 (now 2) western Massachusetts
Continuums of Care. This body initiated the Housing First/REACH pilot project in Springfield
and has spawned extensive regional collaboration. The primary purpose of WMIC is to identify
barriers to effective service delivery that result from the lack State agency coordination and
works to break down those barriers. The Northampton Housing Planner served as defacto staff
to WMIC the past few years. Her involvement ceased when the City relinquished Continuum
lead agency status.
Each year the agenda is focused on a particular topic to define, identify the barriers that exist as
a result of State agency silos, develop an action plan and hopefully create a pilot project to test
new ideas and develop best practices. This year’s topics were youth homelessness, employment
and food security.
Two years ago, WMIC also created a pilot project called CRT - the Critical Response Team. A
group of high level state agency representatives assemble when all standard paths have been
exhausted and clients have fallen through all cracks. The State ICHH endorsed the pilot and
designated agency representatives working in western Mass. to serve on the CRT. Jay Levy at
Eliot Homeless Services, Jerry Ray from the Mental Health Association and Dave Modzewelski,
formerly DMH, formulated this task force and it was activated a few times this past year.
Referrals for CRT are made from the monthly REACH meetings (Regional Engagement and
Assessment of Chronically Homeless) where providers come together for coordinated case
management of those facing the most challenges.
The employment focus began with presentations from the Regional Employment Boards and
CareerPoint in Holyoke to educate participants about the inherent disconnects between current
programs and serving the homeless. This investigation paralleled the creation of an action plan
for homeless families secured through One Family. Work continued to implement the
recommendations of the Plan and a subcommittee that formed to put the grant application in
and monitor the process pursued funding for action steps. The Fireman Foundation made an
additional award of $300,000 for the implementation phase.
As the City of Northampton moved away from being the lead of the Continuum of Care, the
Housing Planner ceased to participate as heavily in regional efforts. She continued to represent
the Mayor at the Leadership Council meetings, but her time was shifted to CDBG Program
Administration and local services coordination.
Cot Management Committee
25
This highly successful program operated in partnership with the City, ServiceNet, Inc. the
program administrator and a cadre of 400+ community volunteers that provided the evening
meal and over-night support for paid staff. The program operated from November 1st to April
30th. The Housing Planner served as the City representative on the Management Committee
that oversaw the operation of the Hampshire Inter-faith winter emergency shelter. The Housing
Planner served as an overnight volunteer once a month to experience the program first hand.
Public Housing
The City of Northampton has an established working relationship with the Northampton
Housing Authority (NHA). CDBG funds have been committed to the NHA by the City for
various public housing improvements over the past several years, including the Grace House
kitchen this program year.
The Mayor of Northampton appoints four of the five NHA commissioners, with the fifth being
appointed by the Governor. The NHA provides the City with copies of its annual report and
meeting minutes and was involved in the consultation process undertaken for development of
the 2010 Consolidated Plan and the annual Action Plan.
The City’s CDBG Consolidated Plan and the NHA’s five-year plan are designed to be consistent
in their approach to meeting the housing and social service needs of the City’s very low, low,
and moderate income population. The City’s Housing and Community Development
Planner/CDBG Administrator worked with the Housing Authority to coordinate the goals and
objectives of the City’s CDBG Consolidated Plan and annual Action Plan with the NHA’s five
year strategy.
NHA Collaboration
During 2012 the NHA and the City of Northampton signed a co-operative agreement whereby
the City will share the services of its Energy and Sustainability Coordinator for 5 hours each
week. This service will allow the NHA to gain the expertise and staff time needed to identify
energy conservation measures, seek available funding and institute those conservation
measures. Also in 2012 the NHA worked with Mass Broadband to establish high speed
broadband internet access to public anchor buildings located at NHA developments (generally
community buildings).
Unit Condition
The Northampton Housing Authority (NHA) rates the general condition of its public housing
stock as good. Over the last several years renovations to Northampton’s public housing units
have included new roofs at Cahill Apartments; high efficiency hot water heaters and security
cameras at McDonald House; cellar stairwell improvements and new exterior paint at Florence
26
Heights; automatic door openers and security cameras at Salvo House; construction of a storage
shed at Grace House and automatic door openers at Tobin Manor Apartments. Additionally,
state capital funding allowed the complete replacement/ renovation of kitchen and baths at
Hampshire Heights, the NHA’s oldest development.
Improvements
The most recent improvements and actions completed at NHA developments include:
Florence Heights
Landscaping and fencing improvements 2013
Forsander Apartments
Roof replacement and column repairs completed in 2013
Boiler replacement for domestic heat and hot water 2013 (underway)
Tobin Elderly Apartments
Energy conservation measures; attic insulation 2012
Boiler replacement for domestic heat and hot water 2013 (underway)
Cahill Apartments
Installation of HP access ramps and curb cuts 2011-12
Community Room Upgrades 2013 (design stage)
Salvo House
Crack sealing parking lot 2013
Community room computer for resident use 2013
McDonald House
Overhaul of emergency diesel generator 2012
Rerouting of selected electrical circuits to the emergency generator 2012
Flooring improvements in selected units and hp bathroom 2012
Landscaping and fencing improvements 2013
Grace House
Kitchen improvements completed 2013
Hampshire Heights
Kitchen and bathroom renovations 2004
Furnace replacement with high efficiency units 2009
Priority Public Facilities Objectives and Activities
Objective Strategy Outcome Goal Met
Physical rehabilitation and
energy efficiency
improvements on buildings
utilized by the public to
increase accessibility,
usability
• Handicapped accessibility
prioritized
• Improvements to facilities
for persons with special
needs / homeless shelters,
Access,
Sustainability
Improved
quality of life
and
environment
Yes
Grove
Street Inn
$2,701 &
Grace
House
27
High Priority domestic violence shelters,
group homes
• Maintenance of existing
facilities that offer
programming for
households with low and
moderate incomes to
increase economic self-
sufficiency.
kitchen
$6,000
completed.
Painting &
porch
work at
James
House.
$41,584
Removal of Architectural
Barriers
High Priority
Survey public buildings, commercial
buildings, public infrastructure and
park facilities for opportunities to
eliminate or lessen hardship for
persons with physical disabilities.
Installation of sidewalk curb cuts in
eligible areas, ramps, elevator
installations
Suitable living
environment
Increased access
to public facility
Educational
workshops,
computer access
for job search
Working
with
Forbes
Library on
elevator/
but no
CDBG
spent this
program
year.
Senior Center
High Priority
Debt service paid by CDBG
$300,000 per year
And construction landscaping
completed to remediate Order of
Conditions/ Conservation
Commission
Improved
availability of
services for
elders/improved
quality of life
Yes
Debt
Payment
of $319,861
$8,050 site
work
Construction of public
infrastructure to support
neighborhood and economic
revitalization.
Medium Priority
Targeted neighborhood projects that
address streets, sidewalks, curbs,
water and sewer lines to improve
access and usability.
Access,
Sustainability
No
projects
this
program
year.
Streetscape improvements to
support neighborhood and
economic revitalization.
Low Priority
Challenging for these projects to
qualify under CDBG
Defer to Dept. of Public Works,
Community Preservation Act,
Business Improvement District
Access,
Sustainability
No
projects
this
program
year.
Public Parks/Recreation Areas
to support neighborhood and
economic revitalization.
Low Priority
Park, playground, recreation
construction/improvement in income
eligible neighborhoods or associated
with eligible projects or to enhance
handicap accessibility.
Access,
Sustainability
City can use
CPC funds for
these projects.*
No
projects
this
program
year.
* During 2012 and 2013 the Community Preservation Committee funded a Connecticut River Greenway
project, improvements to Veterans Field recreational park, fountain restoration at the Former State
Hospital and work on the City Hall façade.
28
Priority Economic Development Objectives and Activities
Objective Strategy Outcome Goal Met
Increase business
development and job
retention/creation
targeting low/mod
residents.
High Priority
Micro-business/small business
technical assistance/entrepreneurial
training to low/mod income residents
and qualified businesses.
Workshops offered to broaden
outreach and one-on-one counseling
Access,
Sustainability
Economic self-
sufficiency
Yes
14 counseled
individually
34 workshop
attendees
5 jobs created
10 jobs retained
CDBG $10,000
Literacy, adult basic education,
English as a second language,
workforce readiness to low/mod
income residents, youth,
un/underemployed, under-educated,
non-English speaking residents.
Access,
Sustainability
Economic
Self Sufficiency
Yes
71 served at
Literacy Project
& 41 at Center
for New
Americans
Predevelopment assistance and small
business loan program
Access,
Affordability,
Sustainability
Economic Self-
Sufficiency
Yes
48 served by
Valley CDC’s
SB Program
Economic development
projects and
revitalization to
targeted business
development areas
High Priority
Including but not limited to business
incubators, building clearance, new
construction, expansion,
rehabilitation, brown-fields
redevelopment, predevelopment and
project planning activities, job
training, energy efficiency and
conservation, growing local markets,
activities that improve access to
services and opportunity by L/MI
residents (such as use of electronic
benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at local
farmers markets to improve access to
fresh fruits/vegetables).
Access,
Affordability
Sustainability
Economic Self
Sufficiency
Fairgrounds
redevelopment
activity
progressed this
past year.
Engineering and
drainage
analysis work
continued.
$11,831
EBT card usage
at farmers
markets
increased
Infrastructure to
support business
development and job
retention/creation.
Medium Priority
Infrastructure improvements to
targeted business development areas
and targeted business clusters
including but not limited to sewer,
water, drainage, roadways,
sidewalk/traffic calming, parking,
transit, telecommunications.
Access,
Sustainability
Progress made
on drainage
improvements
at Fairground
Blighted Area;
passenger
railway station
29
funding
secured.
Rehabilitation of
deteriorated
commercial or
industrial property.
Medium Priority
Targeted financial assistance for
rehabilitation/renovation to address
accessibility, deteriorated buildings,
code violations, and energy
efficiency.
Access,
Affordability,
Sustainability
Improvements
to the James
House
Community
Learning
Center.
* Economic Development Coordinator position filled 12/2012
Priority Public Services Objectives and Activities
Objective Strategy Outcome Goal Met
Basic Needs
High Priority
Support of funding
applications targeted to
assist households with
basic needs:
Emergency fuel assistance
Emergency food
assistance
Access to health care
Sustainability of
decent housing;
Suitable Living
Environment and
economic opportunity
Yes
CDBG support for
Manna Soup Kitchen,
SRO Food Pantry,
Survival Center
Youth Programs
High Priority
Support of funding
applications targeted to
assist youth
After school tutoring
Adult and peer
mentoring; mediation
skills
Recreational
programming
Sustainability of
decent housing;
Suitable Living
Environment and
economic opportunity
Yes
CDBG support for
Generation Q
Housing Support
Services
High Priority
Fund programs that
provide housing support
services to enhance
stabilization and maintain
tenancies.
Sustainability of
decent housing;
Suitable Living
Environment and
economic opportunity
Yes
CDBG funding for
SRO Outreach
Community Legal Aid
Services for Special
Needs Populations
High Priority
Support for Services for
special needs populations
including services to the
following:
Persons with drug /
alcohol addictions;
Homeless youth; homeless
Sustainability of
decent housing;
Suitable Living
Environment and
economic opportunity
Yes
CDBG funding for
Community Legal
Aid, SRO Outreach
Generation Q
30
families with severe
barriers to self sufficiency
Skills Development,
Training, Education &
Counseling
Medium Priority
Support applications for:
Language and literacy
skills, transitional
education/workforce
development, computer
skills, employment and
training skills, life skills,
health/nutrition, energy
conservation
Economic
opportunity,
Suitable living
environment
Yes
Funding of $4,504 to
Greenfield Com.
College/ Dev. Writing
class @ James House
The Literacy Project
and The Center for
New Americans
Transportation
services
Medium Priority
Support of applications
for improved
transportation for end
users/ from areas of
low/mod households to
work centers
Economic
opportunity, access to
health care, jobs,
education
No
No projects
undertaken this
program year.
Handicap services
Medium Priority
Support efforts Improve
accessibility of disabled to
the downtown, jobs,
public buildings and
services of local
Committees and apply
funds for entrances, curb
cuts, interior public
building access and flow
Economic
opportunity; a suitable
living environment;
improved accessibility
Yes
Continuing to work
with Forbes Library on
the elevator project/
doing community
fundraising during
this program year.
Childcare services
Medium Priority
Support preservation
/creation of child care
subsidies Improved ability
of heads of households to
pursue education and
employment
opportunities
Economic
Opportunity
Yes
Recruited users of
child care room at the
James House for use
while parents attend
classes.
Removal of
Architectural Barriers
High Priority
Survey public buildings,
commercial buildings,
public infrastructure and
park facilities Installation
of sidewalk curb cuts
Eliminate/lessen
hardship to persons with
physical disabilities.
Suitable living
environment
Yes
City redid sidewalk in
front of City Hall with
new curb cuts, but not
CDBG eligible project
Work with Committee on
Disabilities and Human
Suitable living
environment
Yes
Joint meetings held
with Housing
31
Rights Commission to
eliminate/lessen
Hardships for persons
with physical disabilities.
Partnership and Fair
Housing Center to
coordinate work
Public Safety
Low Priority
Support public safety
efforts including but not
limited to DARE, crime
prevention targeting LMI
residents and
neighborhoods
Suitable living
environment
Yes
Police Dept. got grant
for downtown safety
Activities related to
panhandling issues
and police presence
Public Infrastructure
The Community and Economic Development Office works with the City of Northampton’s
Department of Public Works to determine if the CDBG program can be utilized for City
projects. The last project collaborated on was the replacement of 1,450 linear feet of sidewalk
and street refurbishing on Conz Street. This project is located directly in front of a Northampton
Housing Authority elderly high rise containing 192 housing units and the Northampton Senior
Center. The sidewalk connects these sites with the central business district. No new projects
were undertaken or completed in this program year due to lack of CDBG funding availability.
Economic Development
The Valley Community Development Corporation assisted 14 people interested in starting
micro-businesses. Counseling sessions were conducted and follow-up telephone and email
support was provided. Assistance included information on starting a business, creating a
business plan, governmental, financial and business requirements such as insurance, legal and
accounting resources, developing financial projections, analysis of ways to increase revenue,
structuring marketing and sales campaigns and referrals to credit counselors when necessary.
5 new jobs were created, 10 full time and 30 part time jobs were retained.
Public Facilities
The major CDBG funded public facility project continued to be the renovation of the James
House, a municipally owned building, into a Community Learning Center. The bulk of the
physical transformation has successfully concluded and programs have been operating
successfully for 2 years. In FY 11, the City hired an architect to prepare renovation design
plans, put the project out to bid and hired a contractor to complete interior renovations which
included: an upgrade of existing offices and common areas, creation of 5 new classroom spaces
(from the former court room and basement holding cells), the HVAC system, made energy
efficiency improvements and installed photo voltaic panels. The Center for New Americans
32
and the Literacy Project moved in are providing adult basic education, college readiness, job
training, and family literacy programs. A grand opening celebration was held in July of 2011.
During exterior painting, it was discovered that the large columns on the front porch were
rotten. Work was done rebuilding the front porch and columns to stabilize the front entrance.
The Northampton Community Education Consortium membership worked to expand
programming. Holyoke and Greenfield Community Colleges made plans to conduct
developmental reading and writing classes at the site. The plan is that program participants
from the two mainstay programs at the site, the Center for New Americans and the Literacy
Project, will attend the community college classes and pursue their educational attainment.
A class on sign language was taught this past year, as well as the development writing for
college prep.
Leveraged Resources
Agency Source Type Amount
Big Brothers Big Sisters Northampton CDBG Federal $ 5,000
MA Service Alliance State 2,500
United Way Private 12,000
Misc. Grants Private 5,000
Fundraising Private 30,000
Donations Private 7,500
Casa Latina United Way Private $ 39,156
Misc. Grants Federal/Local 108,717
Administration Fee C. Dickinson Hospital 19,080
Interpreting Service Fee 16,800
Center for New Americans
Northampton CDBG Federal 8,365
33
Greenfield CDBG Federal 24,000
Amherst CDBG Federal 24,000
Dept. of Education State 322,491
Office of Refugee & Immigrants State 10,000
Foundation Grants Private 60,000
Individual Gifts Private 40,000
Hampshire United Way Private 20,000
Franklin United Way Private 15,000
City of Northampton McKinney Vento Funding Federal $ 1,499,000
CDBG Allocation Federal 588,403
Florence Fields Rec. Area Mass. PARC Grant 1 State 500,000
Grant 2 State 500,000
Community Preservation Local 2,000,000
Broad Brook Gap Community Forest Program Federal 300,000
Mass. Land Grant State 400,000
Community Preservation Act Local 300,000
Conn.River Greenway Transportation Imp.Program Federal 6,000,000
& Lane Business Park Legislative Earmark State 100,000
Leeds Park and Ride Transportation Imp. Program Federal 1,000,000
High Speed Rail High Speed Rail Funds Federal 73,000,000
& Rail Trail Linkage Northampton 6,000,000
State transportation Bond State 1,500,000
South Street Traffic Mass. Smart Growth State 300,000
Community Action/ Generation Q
34
Northampton CDBG Federal 2,580
Community Services Block Grant Federal $ 34,906
United Way Private 10,500
Foundations Private 18,560
Community Action/1st Call CSBG Federal $38,399
Northampton CDBG Federal 2,580
SNAP/DTA State 3,000
Hampshire United Way Private 15,000
Fundraising Private 5,000
Literacy Project WIA Federal $ 44,000
Northampton CDBG Federal 7,740
Ware CDBG Federal 73,500
Greenfield CDBG Federal 17,000
Dept. of Education State 714,567
DESE Career Pathways State 74,000
Donations/fundraising Private 60,000
Womens Missionary Found. Private 10,000
Greater Worcester Found. Private 15,000
Wapack Foundation Private 2,500
Bete Foundation Private 5,000
United Way Private 10,000
Other Foundations Private 10,000
Rental Income Private 4,800
Other Grants Private 88,000
MANNA Soup Kitchen
35
EF and SP Federal $ 1,000
Northampton CDBG Federal 2,150
Shelter Sunday Private 8,000
Project Bread Private 2,000
Donations Private 4,250
Religious Organizations Private 7,000
Mass. Fair Housing HUD FH Grant Federal 325,000
HAP/ HUD Federal 30,000
MCAD/HUD Federal 25,000
Springfield CDBG Grant Federal 5,000
Northampton CDBG Federal 2,150
Attorneys Fees Private 12,500
Meadowbrook 222 units Low Income Housing Tax Credits
Apartments $6.5 Million Equity – 40-Year Affordability
Northampton Housing Public Housing Subsidies Federal 387,696
Authority Capital Fund Federal 144,198
ARRA / Capital Projects Federal 182,526
Section 8 Federal 3,480,932
Section 8 Mod Rehab Federal 163,683
Public Housing Subsidies State 362,931
Mass Rental Vouchers State 34,000
Mix Population Grant State 31,200
Modernization Program State 132,400
VASH Section 8 Federal 324,929
36
Religious Organizations Private 6,700
ServiceNet, Inc. DHCD State 67,457
InterFaith Shelter DHCD ESG Grant State 11,315
FEMA Federal 3,625
Deferred Payment Loan Federal 9,996
Northampton CDBG Federal 12,900
Friends of the Homeless Private 15,000
Private Donations Private 6,000
ServiceNet, Inc. DHCD Grove St. / State $ 158,963
Grove Street Inn VOCA Clinical Services State 40,807
MA Shelter Alliance Private 30,171
FEMA Federal 8,000
Hampshire UW Private 30,000
Project Bread Private 3,000
Northampton CDBG Federal 14,620
Shelter Sunday Private 8,000
Private Donations Private 14,000
Citizens Energy Private 1,400
SRO Outreach Northampton CDBG Federal $ 13,772
FEMA Federal 750
United Way Hampshire County Private 37,200
Hap Inc. Non-Profit 2,000
Valley CDC Non-Profit 3,500
Highland Valley Elder Services Private 4,000
Home City Housing Private 2,000
37
Donations Private 8,500
Survival Center EFSP Federal 1,000
City of Easthampton Federal/State 5,200
Northampton CDBG Federal 10,740
Project Bread Private 8,000
United Way Private 60,000
Misc. Grants Private 35,000
EFSP Grant Federal/Local 500
Goshen Grant Income Local 15,000
Civic/ Business Private 31,400
Religious Private 12,000
Individual Donations Private 295,700
Interest Income Private 5,000
Schools Private 1,000
Three County Project Development-USDA Federal TBD
Fairgrounds Cultural Facilities State TBD
EDA Federal TBD
Valley CDC CDBG Amherst Federal/State 25,000
CDBG Easthampton Federal 4,000
CDBG Northampton Federal 26,000
Florence Savings Private 20,000
TD Bank North Private 5,000
Citizens Bank Private 5,000
United Way Private 20,000
Easthampton Savings Bank Private 4,000
Peoples Bank Private 5,000
Mass Growth Com. Capital State 20,000
38
Country Bank for Savings Private 2,500
Berkshire Bank Private 2,500
Membership Donations Private 6,000
Developer Overhead Private/State/Fed 10,000
Fundraising Private 15,000
Homebuyer Workshop Fees Private 10,000
Homeownership Marketing Private 60,000
Foundations Private 10,000
Small Business SBTA State Office of Entrep. State 30,000
Assistance Program USDA Rural Business Dev. Federal 15,000
Northampton CDBG Federal 10,000
Florence Savings Bank Private 5,000
Pioneer Valley Garfield Ave. Federal AHP $60,000
Habitat for Humanity Private (Lions Club) 20,000
Major Donor 25,000
In-kind land donation 125,000
W.M. Com. Foundation 20,000
Massachusetts DDS 10 New Units State (on hold) $2,000,000
Burt’s Pit Road
James House Federal CDBG-R $201,513 Fully expended
Federal CDBG $17,868 Fully expended
Federal HUD EDI $95,000 Fully expended
Local Smith College $20,000 Fully expended
Local Home Depot $20,000 Fully expended
39
Conz Street
sidewalks
State Chapter 90 $2,000,000 Fully expended
Senior Center State and Local City Construction
Financing
$1,400,000 On-going debt
Private Fundraising $400,000 Fully expended
Fairgrounds State State budget $4,000,000 On-going
PROJECT SUMMARIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Infrastructure Improvements
$ 0.00 allocated/expended
Public Facilities Improvements
Senior Center Project Delivery Costs - HUD #0546
Priority Need: High
Project Objective: Create a suitable living environment
Project Outcome: Utilization of a fully operational senior center
Performance Measure: Completion of Project and release from Conservation Commission.
Accomplishment: Landscaping related to Conservation Commission order
CDBG Expenditure: $8,050
Senior Center Debt Service - HUD #0596
Priority Need: High
Project Objective: Create a suitable living environment
40
Project Outcome: Utilization of a fully operational senior center
Performance Measure: Debt payment made, operation fiscally solvent and fully operating
Accomplishment: Utilization of a fully operational senior center with extensive
programming, located downtown next to senior public housing
CDBG Expenditure: $319,861 ($206,000 Principal; 113,861 Interest)
James House Learning Center HUD # 0689
Priority Need: Medium - Other Public Facilities
Project Objective: Increase economic opportunities through the renovation of a
municipally owned building to create a community learning center
accessible to the public
Project Outcome: A fully renovated municipal facility and fully operational one stop
center offering a range of services to households with low and
moderate incomes to achieve greater economic self- sufficiency.
Performance Measure: Building being utilized by organizations committed to economic
self sufficiency for low and moderate income households and
operation fiscally solvent.
Accomplishment: Renovation completed includes demolition of basement holding
cells, construction of 7 classrooms, multi-use meeting room,
accessibility ramp, energy and HVAC improvements, acquisition
of mobile computer lab.
235 individuals served.
CDBG Expenditure: $41,584 for Exterior Painting & Front Porch Design and Repair Work
Grace House Kitchen/ Northampton Housing Authority HUD # 0726
Priority Need: Medium
Project Objective: Development and improvement of facilities serving low and
moderate income families to ensure access to and adequate use of
those facilities to provide a more suitable living environment.
Project Outcome: Installation of new kitchen cabinets, counter tops and kitchen sink
at Grace House, a program of the Department of Public Health.
Performance Measure: Kitchen improvements completed, kitchen fully operational.
Facility serves 14 female headed households, up to 35 people at
any one time. 41 served.
Accomplishment: Project was not bid during this program year.
CDBG Expenditure: $6,000
41
Blighted and Decadent Areas
Fairgrounds Redevelopment Project - HUD # 0714
Priority Need: Medium
Project Objective: Redevelopment will improve public infrastructure, utility and road
condition, sidewalks, drainage; accomplish demolition, renovation
and new construction to rejuvenate a regional economic
development driver/ Sustainability.
Project Outcome: Redevelopment to eliminate deteriorated and blighted conditions to
revitalize Three County Fairgrounds and increase site utilization to
increase economic impact for related businesses and the provision
of job opportunities.
Performance Measure: Elimination of blighted buildings and improved public
infrastructure
Accomplishment: To date, 15 blighted barn structures demolished and replaced with
3 modern horse barns. Horse and cultural exhibitions and shows
were held. Work continued with State funding for engineering and
drainage studies.
CDBG Expenditure: $11,831.59 for engineering work
Economic Development
Micro-Business Development Workshops - HUD #0759
Valley Community Development Corporation micro business development program providing
assistance to eligible micro- enterprises; business plan development marketing and access to
capital.
Priority Need: High
Project Objective: Create economic opportunity and increase earning potential for
households with low and moderate incomes.
Project Outcome: Increase and sustain economic self-sufficiency and housing stability
of residents who will contribute to the local and regional economy
Performance Measure: Provide services to 20 individuals interested in creating, preserving
or expanding their own businesses and achieving economic self-
sufficiency.
Accomplishment: 1 workshop held on “Starting Your Own Business”, 34 attended.
14 individuals counseled; initial needs assessment, review of
government, financial and business requirements, business plans,
marketing and sales strategies, development of financial
projections. Assisting existing businesses struggling with obtaining
42
financing to weather economic downturn.
2 new businesses assisted, 7 existing businesses assisted, all women
owned. 1 full time job created, 10 full time jobs retained, 8 part-time
jobs retained.
Expenditure: $10,000 for a 6 month program of workshops and one on one technical
assistance.
Housing
First Time Homebuyer Program - HUD # 0760
Valley Community Development Corporation program offering first time homebuyer
assistance, direct referral to HOME assisted units available for homeownership and down-
payment resources.
Priority Need: Medium
Priority Objective: Provide support for City’s residents with low and moderate
incomes to attain and maintain decent affordable housing.
Project Outcome: An educated populace through pre and post purchase
counseling, to increase access to housing opportunities,
stability of homeownership and foreclosure prevention for
sustainability.
Performance Measure: Serve 45 households, 15 to attain homeownership within 12
months; 35 households have a better understanding of budgeting
and debt management
Accomplishment: Served 46 - 31 low/mod households: 10 very low income.
Worked on action plans to purchase homes within the year,
some working on debt reduction plans to improve credit, some
saving for down payment. 16 were existing owners at risk of
foreclosure. Strategies included entering into repayment plans
with local banks, submitting loan modification packets to loan
servicers, looking for additional income and reduction of
competing household debt. 19 households planned to purchase during
the year.
CDBG Expenditure: $20,000/ expended for staffing
$3,000 Down payment grant HUD #0767
$3,000 Down payment grant HUD #0769
New South Street Apartments - HUD# 0725
43
Building owner will utilize CDBG funds for property improvements in exchange for 25 years of
additional affordability of 18 units.
Priority Need: High
Priority Objective: Stabilization of the City’s affordable housing stock by making
capital improvements to ensure the provision of decent and safe
housing.
Project Outcome: Enhanced quality of life for apartment units being inhabited by
households with low incomes.
Performance Measure: Improvements to roofs and gutters, heating system and exterior
façade repairs completed.
Accomplishment: The ownership of the property is changing, project delayed.
Deed restriction in process to guarantee additional years of
affordability.
Expenditure: $130,000 allocated / 0 expended
Home Repair Program
Home Repair Program for seniors administered by the Council on Aging.
Priority Need: High
Priority Objective: Provide decent safe code compliant housing
Project Outcome: Program operation to enable elderly to remain in their homes and
maintain quality of City housing stock.
Performance Measure: Staff capacity to oversee 5-8 grants, 3-5 loans
Accomplishment: Staff completed 1 grant and 1 loan
Expenditure: Administration HUD # 0722 $ 750 for recording fees
Grant: HUD # 0761 $1,520
Loan: HUD # 0743 $4,999
Public Services
Program Priority
Need
Objective Performance
Measure
Outcome/
Accomplishment
Expenditure
Casa Latina High
Special Needs
Economic Self
Sufficiency
Suitable living
environment
Serve 106/
170 served
HUD # 0745
$8,600
44
Big
Brothers/Big
Sisters
High
Youth
Services
Suitable living
environment
Serve 20/
32 served
HUD # 0747
$3,440
SRO
Outreach
High
Housing
Support
Suitable living
environment
Serve 175/
233 served
HUD # 0748
$13,772
Center/ New
Americans
High
Skills
Training
Economic Self
Sufficiency
Serve 45/
41 served
HUD # 0755
$8,365
Mass Fair
Housing
High
Housing
Support
Suitable living
environment
Serve 75/
90 served
HUD # 0754
$ 2,150
Grove Street
Inn
High
Housing
Support
Suitable living
environment
Serve 125/
114 served
HUD # 0752
$14,620
Cot Shelter High
Housing
Support
Suitable living
environment
Serve 210/
200 served
HUD # 0751
$12,900
Manna Soup
Kitchen
High
Basis Needs
Suitable living
environment
Economic Self
Sufficiency
Serve 500/
597 served
HUD # 0753
$2,150
Gen. Q High -
Youth
Services
Economic Self
Sufficiency
Empowerment
Serve 15/
32 served
HUD # 0750
$2,580
Com.
Resources/
First Call
High -
Basic Needs
Economic Self-
Sufficiency
Suitable living
environment
400 calls
75 one on one/
233 served
HUD # 0746
$2,580
Survival
Center
High -
Basic Needs
Economic Self-
Sufficiency
Suitable living
environment
Serve 2,200/
Served 4,211
HUD # 0749
$10,320
Literacy
Project
High -
Skills training
Economic Self-
Sufficiency
Serve 25/
71 served
HUD # 0756
$7,740
Community
Legal Aid
High
Homelessness
Prevention
Economic Self-
Sufficiency
Suitable living
environment
Serve 10/
27 served
HUD #0757
$2,655
Greenfield
Com. College
High
Skills
Training
Economic Self-
Sufficiency
Serve10/
7 served
HUD #0758
$4,504.65
Planning and Administration - HUD # 0762
Professional grants administration and community development planning and programming.
45
Priority Need: High
Staff Capacity to administer CDBG program and conduct
comprehensive community development and affordable housing
work.
Project Objective: Create a suitable living environment for households with low and
moderate incomes in the community
Project Outcome: Successful administration of the Federal grant and provision of
community services
Performance Measurement: Federal audit with no findings, accessible staff, successful
grants administration and progress made on Consolidated and
Annual Action plan goals
CDBG Expenditure: $117,680 expended
Geographic Distribution
Allocation priorities were chosen consistent with the goals and objectives in the Consolidated
Plan and in response to the needs identified in the annual solicitation, community outreach
process and the Housing Needs Assessment and Strategic Housing Plan. Public services were
delivered citywide. There were no public infrastructure projects.
Census tracts with more than 25% minority population are defined as areas of minority
concentration. Presently, there are no such areas in the city. Northampton defines census tracts
with percentages of low income households that exceed the city average of 39% to be areas of
low income concentration. Those tracts consist primarily of the more densely populated areas in
and around the Central business district downtown. These tracts are: 8216.01, 8219.02, 8220 and
8221.
CDBG Target Areas by Census Tract / Block Group
Pursuant to program regulations the following census tracts/block groups were considered for
CDBG funds based on income; more than 51% of the households in these areas have incomes
below 80% of median income based on family size.
Geographic Description Census Tract, Block & Group
North King Street 8216 01 – 1
Florence 8216 02 – 5
Leeds Veterans Hospital 8217 00 – 3
Central Core / Downtown *8219 02 – 2; 8219 02 – 3; 8220 00 – 1
Former State Hospital 8219 02 – 4
*2010 Census Tract 821902 was split into 2: 821903 and 821904
46
All area benefit activities funded by the City are located within CDBG eligible census tracts.
Direct benefit activities are funded throughout the City at locations, which meet direct benefit
criteria.
Actions Taken to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing
The City worked with the Mass. Fair Housing Center to accomplish the following during the
year:
Date Event # attendees
July 31, 2012 Fair Housing Training Workshop
for ServiceNet Mental Health
Division
14
October, 2012 Delivered Impediments to Fair
Housing Analysis to CEDO Office
March 26, 2013 Fair Housing Training Workshop
on CORI Reform for service
providers cosponsored by the City
of Northampton
14 attendees
May 14, 2013 Training Workshop on Reasonable
Accommodation cosponsored by
Stavros Center for Independent
Living and City of Northampton
10 attendees
June 24, 2013 Fair Housing Training at Safe
Passage Domestic Violence Shelter
6 attendees
June 26, 2013 Fair Housing Training for
Tenancy Preservation Program
Staff and Mental Health
Association
28 attendees
These events were funded by Northampton CDBG and the Federal grant MFHC receives from
HUD. 7 Northampton housing discrimination complaints were processed during the year. The
City attended the Annual Fair Housing conference held in Springfield.
In addition to serving individual clients, the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center continued to
partner with HAP Housing, Valley CDC and the Massachusetts Justice Project by providing fair
housing and fair lending education, accepting referrals from agencies and providing legal
assistance to those agencies, when requested.
Lead Paint Abatement Activity
47
There were no information requests received by the City during this program year. With the
lack of CDBG resources to administer a Housing Rehabilitation program, there is no current
link with property owners looking to abate their properties. When such inquiries are received, a
referral to the Commonwealth’s Get the Lead Out Program would be made, in addition to
resources that may be available through HAP Housing. Assembling data on certificates for lead
paint abatement is one of the recommendations in the Impediments to Fair Housing Analysis.
That work will occur and a training session held in 2014 to disseminate information about
resources to accomplish abatement.
Action Plan Amendments
During the course of CDBG program year one public services funded activity requested a
minimal budget adjustment. It was minor enough to be handled administratively with a
contract amendment and letter to the file. If a larger amendment was requested, such an
adjustment would have been made only to activities included within the approved annual
Action Plan. A budget adjustment would be considered a substantial amendment to the Action
Plan if it met the criteria established in the Citizen Participation Plan.
Institutional Structure
In February of 2012, the Economic Development Director who also served as the Community
and Economic Development Office Department head left the City’s employ. As a cost savings
measure, the Mayor dissolved CEDO as a separate department and incorporated the remaining
CDBG and McKinney Supportive Housing staff ( 2 people) into the Mayor’s Office. After
forming and soliciting recommendations from an Economic Development Advisory
Commission, the Mayor hired a new Economic Development Coordinator in December of 2012.
The Housing Planner became the CDBG Administrator. It was also decided to relinquish the
role of lead agency for the Three County Continuum of Care and cease the administration of the
HUD McKinney grant for the region which occurred in December of 2012.
During this program year, the Housing and Community Development Planner/CDBG
Administrator oversaw the overall management and coordination of the housing and
community development activities and services outlined in the Consolidated Plan and Annual
Action Plan. The Office continued to interface with the other City departments, boards and
commissions, (Department of Public Works, Council on Aging, Office of Planning and
Development, Assessor’s Office, Treasurer’s Office, Mayor’s Office, Board of Health), with
community based organizations, non-profit and for-profit housing developers, public service
agencies and anti-poverty organizations. Staff support was provided to the Northampton
Housing Partnership, the Downtown Resource Center Work Group, the Interfaith Shelter
Management Committee, the Next Step Collaborative and the Western Mass. Inter-Agency
48
Council on Housing and Homelessness. The Housing Planner was an integral member of the
Leadership Council, the Management Team, the Steering Committee and the Governance
Committee for the Regional Network to End Homelessness.
The Community Development Block Grant Program Administrative Assistant was responsible
for contract implementation, IDIS reporting and financial management. Monitoring was
conducted on all public services grantees in June and July of 2013, to review the 2012-13
program year. No findings were identified.