Strategic Plan Goals and Priorities 2020-2024
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Strategic Plan
SP-05 Overview
Strategic Plan Overview
The City of Northampton, through the citizen participation process, targeted consultations, and data
analysis, has identified thirteen areas of priority need that will be addressed over the next five years.
Those priority needs are as follows:
Homelessness prevention, support for the emergency shelter system, creation of new rental housing for
individuals, creation of new rental housing for families, preservation of existing rental stock, housing
rehabilitation for homeownership units and Northampton Housing Authority, affordable
homeownership opportunities for individuals and families, housing for at-risk and special populations,
economic development activities focused on economic empowerment and income maximization,
housing support services for those at risk of homelessness, addressing basic needs such as food, shelter
and health care, improvements to public facilities and public infrastructure such as sidewalk safety and
handicap access.
The City will allocate CDBG funds to the extent they are available and support efforts to leverage those
funds to operate successful programs and bring projects to fruition.
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SP-10 Geographic Priorities – 91.215 (a)(1)
Geographic Area
Table 47 - Geographic Priority Areas
General Allocation Priorities
Describe the basis for allocating investments geographically within the jurisdiction (or within the EMSA
for HOPWA)
There is no Geographic Area designated because public services allocations are made to organizations
who conduct services city-wide. They may be targeted to special populations, but not specific
geographic areas designated. Nor is there a targeted effort by the City to affect a certain area. CDBG
funded projects other than public service contracts are evaluated individually on a need basis. If there is
a public facility, they are in fact, open to the public. Public infrastructure improvements are
implemented according to eligibility requirements either based on the low mod area served on limited
clientele benefit. The City does not have any urban renewal areas, Neighborhood Strategy areas, CDFI
areas, or local target areas.
Due to the smaller size of the City, data at the census tract level for Northampton is not very
informative. The American Community Survey provides data at the Block Group level which is more
informative for geographic analysis. The Block Groups containing 51% or more of households earning
80% or less of area median income are as follows: 821700-2; 821601-2; 821602-2; 821901-2;821904-
2;822000-1;821903-1;822200-1;812903-3.
Census tracts with more than 25% minority population are defined by HUD as areas of minority
concentration. Northampton expanded this threshold to 20%. Those tracts and block group numbers
that met that threshold were as follows: 821700-3 (26%) which is primarily the Veterans Administration
Medical Campus; 821601-2 (38%); 822000-1 (20%), and 821903-2 (35%).
Minority concentrations will be analyzed for allocating investments for public infrastructure projects,
public facility projects, and outreach locations for informational workshops about mainstream
resources, City resources and economic empowerment opportunities.
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SP-25 Priority Needs - 91.215(a)(2)
Priority Needs
Table 48 – Priority Needs Summary
1 Priority Need
Name
Homelessness Prevention
Priority Level High
Population Extremely Low
Low
Large Families
Families with Children
Elderly
Public Housing Residents
Chronic Homelessness
Individuals
Families with Children
Mentally Ill
Chronic Substance Abuse
veterans
Persons with HIV/AIDS
Victims of Domestic Violence
Unaccompanied Youth
Elderly
Frail Elderly
Persons with Mental Disabilities
Persons with Physical Disabilities
Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Persons with Alcohol or Other Addictions
Persons with HIV/AIDS and their Families
Victims of Domestic Violence
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Public Services
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Description It is far less costly to preserve tenancies than to provide shelter. With stable
housing, individuals and families can focus on maintaining work, achieving
educational goals and becoming economically self-sufficient. The loss of jobs
created by the Covid-19 pandemic has shown how unstable and tenuous rentals
situations are, even after just the loss of one paycheck.
Basis for
Relative
Priority
Massachusetts is a Right to Shelter state. The number of homeless families remain
epidemic. While evictions are being stayed due for a few months due to the
pandemic, this will run out soon - and before the jobs market gets back to normal.
Stabilizing families that are currently housed in order to reduce the numbers of
families becoming homeless and being placed in a motel is a high priority goal of
the region.
2 Priority Need
Name
Support for Emergency Shelter & Support Services
Priority Level High
Population Extremely Low
Chronic Homelessness
Individuals
Families with Children
Mentally Ill
Chronic Substance Abuse
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Public Services
Description Funding sources for emergency shelters are few and far between. The City
embraces the housing first models and permanent housing units with support
services. However, until those units exist in sufficient numbers, the emergency
shelter system still needs be operational. The City supports operating and staffing
costs for the two generic emergency shelters in town, the Grove Street Inn and
the Inter-faith Winter shelter (for individuals) through CDBG funding. There are no
emergency shelter beds for families in Northampton. Sheltering support services
include day programming and referrals to other public service programs and
support.
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Basis for
Relative
Priority
ServiceNet had utilized ESG funding in the past for shelter operations, but that has
diminished. Shelter programs struggle for funds and only have limited staff people
at both shelters, which is inadequate for security reasons. This was made even
more acute during the Covid-19 pandemic when many staff could not work due to
illness.
3 Priority Need
Name
Rental Housing for Individuals
Priority Level High
Population Extremely Low
Low
Chronic Homelessness
Individuals
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Description According to the U.S. Census, 49% of household types in Northampton are "non-
family households", which is defined as "single-person households, households
made up of unrelated individuals (unmarried partners or roommates), and same-
sex households". 37% of all household types in Northampton are married-couple
family households. The total number of households has decreased steadily over
time. 23.49% of non-family households were severely cost-burdened according to
the 2019 assessment of barriers to fair housing report.
Basis for
Relative
Priority
4 Priority Need
Name
Rental Housing for Families
Priority Level High
Population Extremely Low
Low
Large Families
Families with Children
Geographic
Areas
Affected
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Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Description There is a significant need to house families, particularly those earning within the
poverty level. There is a growing number of smaller households that include single
parents with children and a lack of larger apartments. Some houses have not been
rented to families with children so to avoid the Tenant Lead Law Notification
requirements.
Basis for
Relative
Priority
The average household size is expected to decrease with the next census. This
trend towards smaller households is driven by decreases in the numbers of
children and married couples, with accompanying increases in households without
children. There have also been increases in empty nesters and senior and frail
populations. There are also substantial numbers of two-person households that
are now estimated to comprise about one-third of all households, yet smaller
housing units are in short supply. Almost half of the households with children
were headed by one parent, suggesting a compelling need for affordable family
housing for families with only one income.
The waitlist for a unit in one of the Northampton Housing Authority’s family rental
developments is at least two (2) years, including substantial waits for larger
families looking for three- and four-bedroom units. Realtors indicate that there
are very few three- and four-bedroom apartments that come on the market and
are suitable for larger families. There is substantial demand for NHA rental
subsidies with waits of about six (6) years to obtain a voucher. Rental costs are
high. Advertised two-bedroom apartments start at $1,200 and a three-bedrooms
starts at $1,600. These are both beyond most lower income household’s ability to
afford and there are not many vacancies.
Additionally, landlords typically expect first and last month’s rent and a security
deposit when the lease is signed, a sum that blocks many households from finding
decent housing. Private rental agencies charge an additional fee that can
significantly add to the cost of just the first month's rent. Given a 3.6% vacancy
rate, the housing market is very tight and units are hard to find
5 Priority Need
Name
Preservation of Existing Affordable Rental Stock
Priority Level High
Population Extremely Low
Low
Families with Children
Individuals
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Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Description The preservation of existing affordable rental units is essential to maintaining an
affordable housing stock well into the future. This rental housing, including both
units that are subsidized and in the private housing market, is more cost-effective
to rehabilitate and maintain than to build new. Moreover, efforts are needed to
maintain affordability restrictions on subsidized housing in perpetuity so to not
lose affordability based on expiring use restrictions.
Basis for
Relative
Priority
Northampton’s rental housing stock has been eroded over the last several
decades due largely to condo conversions or the elimination of rooming houses or
downtown hotels that catered to low-income individuals. No new unsubsidized
rental housing has been built with the exception of accessory apartments.
Subsidized rental developments have been relatively small in scale and number
with the exception of developments at the former State Hospital site.
Northampton has a number of housing units in its Subsidized Housing Inventory
where affordability restrictions are due to expire soon.
All strategies that preserve existing rental housing, at all affordability levels,
should be explored. Because preservation is so cost-effective compared with the
creation of new rental units, this needs to include supporting private sector
providers as well as those in the Subsidized Housing Inventory.
6 Priority Need
Name
Housing Rehabilitation Resources
Priority Level High
Population Extremely Low
Low
Moderate
Middle
Elderly
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
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Description Many low- and moderate-income homeowners lack sufficient resources to
properly maintain their homes and address substandard housing conditions.
Improvements should incorporate modifications to improve handicapped
accessibility and eliminate lead-based paint and housing code violations.
Basis for
Relative
Priority
According to the Unlocking Opportunity assessment from last year, "Northampton
has an old housing stock; the median year housing structures were built is 1950.
50.8% of all houses in Northampton were built before 1950. Older homes often
present problems for residents, including lead paint. Lead was banned in
residential paint starting in 1978 and homes that were built before 1950 are most
likely to have lead paint in them. Lead paint poses a health risk to children and
pregnant women, causing permanent cognitive and behavioral problems. The
Massachusetts Lead Law requires the removal or control of lead paint in homes
with children under six, a process that is often costly. Landlords must de-lead a
home before a young child can live there, otherwise they can be held legally
responsible for any lead-related illness or injury."
The Council on Aging has noted some demand within their home repair program
to address accessibility issues in homes occupied by non-elders. As stated in
previous priority, many households simply lack the funding to do any repairs on
their homes, even if it is for installing something that they are in dire need of, like
a handicap ramp.
7 Priority Need
Name
Affordable Homeownership for Individual & Families
Priority Level High
Population Moderate
Large Families
Families with Children
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Public Services
Description Market conditions have placed the purchase of homes beyond the financial means
of low- and moderate-income individuals, households and families need
opportunities to “buy up” as their families grow. Infill development and the
redevelopment/reuse of existing properties in partnership with non-profit
organizations and private builders offer the best options for increasing affordable
homeownership opportunities in Northampton.
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Basis for
Relative
Priority
8 Priority Need
Name
Housing for At - Risk & Special Needs Populations
Priority Level High
Population Extremely Low
Low
Families with Children
Elderly
Chronic Homelessness
Individuals
Families with Children
Mentally Ill
Chronic Substance Abuse
veterans
Persons with HIV/AIDS
Victims of Domestic Violence
Unaccompanied Youth
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Public Services
Description Housing should continue to be developed to serve those who are at risk of
homelessness and/or have special needs that require supportive services.
Providing stable and affordable opportunities for those transitioning out of
shelters or special programs remains a high priority.
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Basis for
Relative
Priority
The relative scarcity of affordable rentals, particularly those with supportive
services, was identified as perhaps the foremost housing need. The was verified in
the Mayor's Report on Panhandling, the Housing Needs Assessment, and Strategic
Housing Plan. The City and region are pursuing the Housing First model as an
alternative to the current emergency and transitional shelter system. Permanent
housing needs to be built to provide much needed rapid response units. Wait lists
for the City’s shelters continue to grow and has been made more acute during the
Covid-19 pandemic.
The ability to provide affordable housing options for those with very limited
incomes who have lived or currently live in the community and want to continue
to do so is a continuing challenge and a pressing need. Less than 10% of NHA's
housing units are modified to be accessible to the physically handicapped. The
wait list is low, probably due to the lack of turnover and long time on the waiting
list. When the issue of accessibility, however, is coupled with affordability, choices
become severely diminished for families and individuals looking for such housing
and they may become at risk of homelessness.
9 Priority Need
Name
Economic Development
Priority Level High
Population Extremely Low
Low
Moderate
Large Families
Families with Children
Public Housing Residents
Chronic Homelessness
Individuals
veterans
Elderly
Frail Elderly
Persons with Mental Disabilities
Persons with Physical Disabilities
Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Persons with Alcohol or Other Addictions
Persons with HIV/AIDS and their Families
Victims of Domestic Violence
Geographic
Areas
Affected
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Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Economic Development & Income Maximization
Public Services
Description Northampton has had a strong and diverse economic base with an increasing
number of workers despite some decreases in the total population. It can boast a
significant manufacturing sector with a mixture of traditional operations, such as
wire protrusion, plastic molding, and innovative production like heat sensing
devices. It also has a resilient retail and commercial sectors, many institutional
organizations, two hospitals and Smith College. The American Community Survey
(ACS) was helpful in making the following analysis.
Of those 17,388 Northampton residents between the ages of 16 and 64, 76% of
them were employed in (ACS, 2018). This is a decrease from 17,947 (80%) from
the 2015 ACS data. This may suggest that poverty levels have actually increased or
that more people retired and are living on fixed-incomes. The 2015 ACS reported
that 4,308 Northampton residents (17%) lived below the poverty level and
decreased to 4,064 (16%) for the 2018 ACS. A more detailed analysis will have to
be done to conclude if that decrease is from economic gains or from a decreasing
population by people priced out of the City. Given the Covid-19 pandemic and
subsequent economic downturn, these poverty levels may increase even more.
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Basis for
Relative
Priority
Incomes have increased substantially, especially between 1979 and 1989 when
the median income more than doubled. From 1989 to 1999, the median income
increased from $31,097 to $41,808, or roughly 34%. Those earning less than
$25,000 decreased from 78% of all households in 1979 to 28% in 1999.
Households earning between $25,000 and $50,000 almost doubled between 1979
and 1989, from 18.8% to 36.7%, but then decreased again to 29.8% in 1999. Those
with higher incomes, earning more than $50,000, increased from only 331
households in 1979 (3%), to 2,647 (23.8%) in 1989, to 4,988 (42%) in 1999 and to
6,575 (59%) for the 2018 ACS. The 59% in 2018, was an increase of 3% from 2015,
where the City lost a net 321 households and gained 242 households earning
$50,000 to $149,999. The median household income increased by $5,500 during
this same four year period.
With time it would be expected that incomes would climb, but in comparison to
the state Northampton had a lower portion of those earning more than $75,000
compared to households statewide. The City’s median income for workers was
$31,684 in 2018. While the ACS did not break down income bytes race, income for
multiracial residents, elderly, and those with disabilities can be assumed to be
lower.
While non-family households comprised half the population in 2018, the median
income of families was substantially higher, $94,242 versus $36,963, a finding
highly correlated with a greater prevalence of two-worker households in families.
Additionally, the median income level of homeowners is substantially higher than
that of renters.
Data also confirm the concentration of jobs are in the retail and service sectors,
which tend to have somewhat lower wage levels. These jobs have been hit
especially hard by the Covid-19 induced economic downturn.
10 Priority Need
Name
Housing Support Services
Priority Level High
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Population Extremely Low
Low
Families with Children
Elderly
Public Housing Residents
Chronic Homelessness
Individuals
Families with Children
Mentally Ill
Chronic Substance Abuse
veterans
Persons with HIV/AIDS
Victims of Domestic Violence
Unaccompanied Youth
Elderly
Persons with Mental Disabilities
Persons with Physical Disabilities
Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Persons with Alcohol or Other Addictions
Persons with HIV/AIDS and their Families
Victims of Domestic Violence
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Public Services
Description Housing stabilization activities that prevent homelessness such as tenant
protection.
Basis for
Relative
Priority
In order to end homelessness, housing should be secured as quickly as possible
with wrap around support services to stabilize tenancies and allow people to
remain in homes that they own, if at all possible.
11 Priority Need
Name
Addressing Basic Needs
Priority Level High
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Population Extremely Low
Low
Large Families
Families with Children
Elderly
Public Housing Residents
Chronic Homelessness
Individuals
Families with Children
Mentally Ill
Chronic Substance Abuse
veterans
Persons with HIV/AIDS
Victims of Domestic Violence
Unaccompanied Youth
Elderly
Frail Elderly
Persons with Mental Disabilities
Persons with Physical Disabilities
Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Persons with Alcohol or Other Addictions
Persons with HIV/AIDS and their Families
Victims of Domestic Violence
Non-housing Community Development
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Public Services
Description This applies to public services grants for food pantries, soup kitchens, meals
programs, sheltering, and access to health care.
Basis for
Relative
Priority
As part of the competitive process for reviewing applications for CDBG public
service dollars, the Review Committee prioritizes projects that address basic
needs, defined as provision of food and shelter. The program is designed to build
around those core services. Some of the basic needs of at-risk individuals were
researched in the Mayor’s Work Group on Panhandling Study Report.
12 Priority Need
Name
Public Facilities
Priority Level Low
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Population Non-housing Community Development
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Description Work may be done as part of creating an emergency shelter and creating a
community and resilience hub to provide support services for homeless, those at
risk of homelessness, those below poverty, those who are housing burdened, and
those undergoing chronic and acute stress. No other public facilities projects have
been brought forward to the Office of Planning & Sustainability that will utilize
CDBG resources.
Basis for
Relative
Priority
Projects identified will be evaluated based on the numbers impacted, funds
available, and if the project addresses a high priority need. As the City evaluates
projects before it submits it's Consolidated Plan, it will look for projects that can
best serve low- and moderate-income people, most effectively respond to the
Covid-19 pandemic, and are the most ready to start works once they get their
funding.
13 Priority Need
Name
Public Infrastructure
Priority Level Low
Population Persons with Physical Disabilities
Non-housing Community Development
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Description Work may be done as part of creating an emergency shelter and improving
accessibility for populations with disabilities. No other infrastructure projects have
been brought to the Office of Planning & Sustainability for CDBG expenditure at
this time
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Basis for
Relative
Priority
Projects identified will be evaluated based on the numbers impacted, funds
available, and if the project addresses a high priority need. As the City evaluates
projects before it submits it's Consolidated Plan, it will look for projects that can
best serve low- and moderate-income people, most effectively respond to the
Covid-19 pandemic, and are the most ready to start works once they get their
funding.
14 Priority Need
Name
Elimination of Slums and Blight
Priority Level Low
Population Extremely Low
Low
Families with Children
Public Housing Residents
Persons with Mental Disabilities
Non-housing Community Development
Geographic
Areas
Affected
Associated
Goals
Planning and Administration
Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Removal of Slums and Blight
Description There are very few properties that are deteriorated to the degree that they would
qualify for this category, but they do exist. Past demolition activity at the Three
County Fairgrounds, the former state hospital, and Pulaski Park was undertaken to
allow for new investment to increase economic development and new jobs and to
facilitate affordable housing. One additional structure at the former state hospital
may be demolished for additional affordable housing.
Basis for
Relative
Priority
Elimination of slums and blight projects will be evaluated on the future use of the
parcel, not just removal of dilapidated structures. The demolition activity that has
occurred in recent years was at the Fairgrounds to increase economic
development opportunities and to clear sites for affordable housing development.
There are very few substandard buildings in Northampton and no concentration in
any particular geographic area, but slums and blight activities would be evaluated
on a case by case basis.
Narrative (Optional)
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SP-30 Influence of Market Conditions – 91.215 (b)
Influence of Market Conditions
Affordable
Housing Type Market Characteristics that will influence
the use of funds available for housing type
Tenant Based
Rental Assistance
(TBRA)
Market rate rents in excess of Fair Market Rate rents and Massachusetts Rental
Voucher Program (MRVP) rents. Rents are also increasing, as some two-family
units are converted to one-family units. Private rental agencies add additional
exorbitant fees for renters. The population of the City has also increased slightly
as the size of the average household has decreased.
TBRA for Non-
Homeless Special
Needs
Market rate rents in excess of Fair Market Rate rents and MRVP rental subsidies.
New Unit
Production
Land and/or building acquisition costs in excess of appraised values, therefore
ineligible for State and Federal funding sources. Non-profits needing to find
sellers willing to wait the long time periods it takes to secure needed funding.
State owned properties are waiting to be transferred to the City which, along with
surplus City land, will be made available for new units.
Rehabilitation There is a lack of resources for lead paint abatement and the cost is great. The
enclosure and encapsulation methods for lead paint remediation are not
permanent. The amount of homes in Northampton that need to be remediated is
great, at least 50% of homes.
Acquisition,
including
preservation
For preservation, purchase and carrying cost increases with ownership transfers.
This results in higher rental rates to cover mortgages, etc. Much of the land
purchased by the City does not produce many housing lots, or they are in the
more rural area of the City where one-family houses are predominate.
Table 49 – Influence of Market Conditions
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SP-35 Anticipated Resources - 91.215(a)(4), 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 682,239 1,000 107,795 791,034 2,729,630
CDBG funds will be used for public facility
projects; economic development; housing
programs/projects; public service
programs; and planning activities and
administration of the grant.
Table 50 - Anticipated Resources
Explain how federal funds will leverage those additional resources (private, state and local funds), including a description of how
matching requirements will be satisfied
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All City of Northampton CDBG funded projects require other funding sources in order to implement the project. Community Preservation Act
(CPA) is often some of the first dollars in, especially for large projects with complicated funding streams. Eligible project types for CPA funds are
open space, recreation, affordable housing, and historic preservation.
Affordable housing applications to State and Federal funding sources require evidence of a local match. CDBG, Community Preservation Act
funds, tax increment housing, short term rental taxes, donations of surplus city land, City limited development projects with cross-subsidies,
community contributions, and Smith College development mitigation funding provide local match sources.
Public facilities often have City budgeted Capital Improvement Program funds and private fundraising dollars, such as the Forbes Library Elevator
Accessibility project. Public infrastructure projects typically utilize State Chapter 90 funding and other grant sources. The City has also applied
and is awaiting the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) and other grants that the City is considering using for the
resiliency hub, but can be used for other preparedness activities, such as planning for mitigation and adaptation.
Public service grants use a variety of other funding sources, such as FEMA, United Way, and private fundraising. Some of the CDBG public service
grantee awards are so small ($3,500) that their real value is for leveraging other sources and to show endorsement from the City of
Northampton.
Continuum of Care helps with Supportive Housing and Shelter Plus Care programs. Expect level funding over the next four years. HOPWA funds
for A Positive Place help with HIV housing. Expected remaining amount based on level funding over the next four years. A Positive Place provides
confidential and comprehensive HIV care and prevention in Hampshire County
If appropriate, describe publically owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that may be used to address the needs
identified in the plan
Currently, the Office of Planning & Sustainability pursuing the acquisition of a parcel of land on Woodland Drive for mixed income housing. This
would be a small project with one or two affordable units and a market rate house. The Director of Planning & Sustainability took input from the
Housing Partnership in the Spring of 2020 concerning it. This may be an opportunity for Habitat for Humanity, who the City has worked on
several small developments in the past.
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The City is also waiting for the release of ownership from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for two lots on Laurel Drive and Burts Pit Road.
The City is currently preparing the request for proposals, so that when the lots are released, the City can move expeditiously to start the project.
The City is always looking to acquire parcels to create new affordable housing units and conserve land.
Discussion
The City will leverage CDGB funding with state grants, private grants, fundraising for a specific project, and City funds. The City is committed to
helping low- and moderate-income people by creating decent and affordable housing and to ensure they have jobs. The City always seeks to use
multiple sources of funding to show their commitment and ensure the project's success.
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SP-40 Institutional Delivery Structure – 91.215(k)
Explain the institutional structure through which the jurisdiction will carry out its consolidated plan
including private industry, non-profit organizations, and public institutions.
Responsible Entity Responsible Entity
Type
Role Geographic Area Served
VALLEY COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION
Non-profit
organizations
Economic
Development
Ownership
Rental
Region
Way Finders, Inc. Non-profit
organizations
Ownership
Rental
Region
ServiceNet, Inc. Non-profit
organizations
Homelessness
Rental
Region
Northampton Housing
Authority
PHA Ownership
Public Housing
Rental
Jurisdiction
Massachusetts
Department of Mental
Health
Government Homelessness
Rental
State
Department of
Developmental Services
Government Rental State
COMMUNITY ACTION Continuum of care Economic
Development
Homelessness
Planning
Rental
Region
Community Legal Aid,
Inc.
Non-profit
organizations
Homelessness
Rental
Region
Center for New
Americans
Non-profit
organizations
Economic
Development
Rental
public services
Region
Northampton Survival
Center
Non-profit
organizations
Homelessness
Public Housing
Rental
public services
Jurisdiction
MANNA SOUP KITCHEN Community/Faith-
based organization
Homelessness
Non-homeless special
needs
Jurisdiction
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Responsible Entity Responsible Entity
Type
Role Geographic Area Served
Highland Valley Elder
Services
Regional organization Homelessness
Non-homeless special
needs
Planning
Region
PIONEER VALLEY
HABITAT FOR
HUMANITY
Community/Faith-
based organization
Ownership Region
Soldier On Community/Faith-
based organization
Homelessness
Ownership
Rental
Region
THE CENTER FOR
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
(CHD)
Non-profit
organizations
Homelessness Region
A Positive Place Non-profit
organizations
Homelessness
Rental
Region
City of Northampton
Veterans Agent
Government Homelessness
Rental
Jurisdiction
ELIOT COMMUNITY
HUMAN SERVICES
Non-profit
organizations
Homelessness State
Northampton Recovery
Center
Non-profit
organizations
Non-homeless special
needs
Table 51 - Institutional Delivery Structure
Assess of Strengths and Gaps in the Institutional Delivery System
There are some program components that address each target population if not locally, regionally. But
those services are not sufficient to meet the needs. More State resources are needed for the
Department of Mental Health, as so many homeless present with mental health issues. Resources for
the DMH system have been woefully inadequate to serve the deinstitutionalized populations that now
inhabit our jails and homeless shelters. The DMH system has shifted responsibility to other areas of
service provision, as a result of inadequate funding for case managers, community based programs and
community based residential facilities.
With regard to affordable housing production, it takes multiple application rounds to secure funding at
the State level. State funding for domestic violence shelters and services have been cut by a third, for
several years. There are over 20 funding sources that make up the Housing and Shelter Division at
ServiceNet, which results in an inordinate amount of time away from direct service provision, just trying
to keep the division adequately funded. The State created a Commission on Unaccompanied Youth and
a Point in Time Count specific to youth was undertaken to define the universe of the population. Now it
is time for the State to fund programs and services to address the needs of LGBT youth, those aging out
of the foster care system and those struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges.
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Addressing these issues with youth is the only way to close the door to an ever present and growing
adult homeless population.
Availability of services targeted to homeless persons and persons with HIV and mainstream
services
Homelessness Prevention
Services
Available in the
Community
Targeted to
Homeless
Targeted to People
with HIV
Homelessness Prevention Services
Counseling/Advocacy X X X
Legal Assistance X
Mortgage Assistance X
Rental Assistance X X X
Utilities Assistance X
Street Outreach Services
Law Enforcement X X
Mobile Clinics
Other Street Outreach Services X X
Supportive Services
Alcohol & Drug Abuse X
Child Care X
Education X
Employment and Employment
Training X
Healthcare X X X
HIV/AIDS X X
Life Skills X X X
Mental Health Counseling X X X
Transportation X
Other
Table 52 - Homeless Prevention Services Summary
Describe how the service delivery system including, but not limited to, the services listed
above meet the needs of homeless persons (particularly chronically homeless individuals and
families, families with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth)
Eliot CHS Homeless Services, through a grant from the Department of Mental Health, provides clinically
based outreach services to unsheltered adult homeless individuals with mental illness or mental illness
and substance abuse issues. They work closely with ServiceNet, Inc., SMOC and other housing and
homeless service providers via monthly REACH meetings to identify and prioritize services for the most
vulnerable and chronically homeless. Work is progressing on formalizing the new HUD centralized intake
process to accomplish centralized intake and assessment through the V1-SPDAT. Eliot provides 2 full-
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time employees focused on outreach coverage for Hampshire County. They network with the
Northampton Police, DMH and work with the City to identify and work with unsheltered populations to
facilitate access to housing and treatment. Eliot clinicians accomplish this through stabilizing acute
issues (psychological, behavioral and medical), by developing a common language between clinician and
client that reinforces ownership and initiative toward attaining rehabilitative goals inclusive of housing.
Assessment and referral may be to a variety of systems of care, such as MRC-SHIP, Public Health -
Substance Abuse Services, DMH, DDS).
The Hampshire County Resource Center, collocated at downtown with the winter shelter, serves as the
entry point for our service delivery system for homeless individuals. Case managers do intake and assess
the clients need for services. Health Care for the Homeless nurses and doctors are on site several times
a week. Clients who agree to participate in case management services are given access to showers and
laundry facilities. Housing search begins there. Referrals are made to emergency shelter beds locally,
and regionally if no local beds are available. Housing placements are made whenever possible. The
Housing Partnership partnered with ServiceNet Inc. to garner a funding award from the Community
Preservation Committee for first, last months rents and security deposits for those exiting homelessness
to access housing. The Benefits Analyst links clients to MassHealth and income supports they may be
eligible for.
Veterans services are addressed by the City’s Veteran’s Agent, Soldier On and the Veteran’s
Administration Campus in Leeds. Between the VA, Soldier On and the HUD VASH Program, there is a
complete care continuum for men and women Vets, ranging from psychiatric and medical services to
emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent supported housing and limited equity coops.
A Positive Place is a program of the Cooley Dickinson Hospital and receives HOPWA funds through the
City of Springfield. Referrals are often made from medical settings. Support services to access
mainstream resources occur through case management. Provision of tenant based rental assistance,
housing information services, permanent housing placement and access to medical care are offered.
Although people with HIV/AIDS are impacted by the lack of affordable housing, A Positive Place does not
have housing, nor are there any in the three county area. However, they do have 17 TBRA scattered site
HOPWA subsidies that they administer and 14 TBRA scattered site McKinney-Vento subsidies that are
earmarked for HIV+ people. Both programs require chronic homelessness to get a voucher, with HOPWA
funding offering more flexibility for helping families and people experiencing DV -although it does
require homelessness for those cases.
Families with children can get referrals for health care and other mainstream resources through the
Center for Human Development and the Department of Transitional Assistance.
Describe the strengths and gaps of the service delivery system for special needs population
and persons experiencing homelessness, including, but not limited to, the services listed
above
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The strengths in the City's system is the accessibility and availability of the Eliot PATH team for the street
outreach and engagement services, as well as the commitment of the staff of the Resource Center who
contribute countless hours to keeping the center open during inclement weather and struggle with
housing search for a very challenged population. The local housing, social service, and homeless service
providers are extremely dedicated and accomplish amazing things with limited resources.
The gaps that have been identified through meetings and consultations include the following:
• Street outreach, supportive housing, and services for unaccompanied youth
• Transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and their children
• Next step housing for post-incarcerated individuals
• Housing for sex offenders
• Safe Haven program model for chronically homeless individuals
• Not all service providers are using trauma-informed care
• Limited youth housing (4 units)
• Limited HIV/AIDS housing
• Rapid Rehousing
Provide a summary of the strategy for overcoming gaps in the institutional structure and
service delivery system for carrying out a strategy to address priority needs
The Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals continues to solicit requests from local housing
and homeless service providers to partner on the creation new programs. Where bigger service
providers leave gaps in service, Friends of Hampshire County Homeless looks where they can
complement services, not duplicate them. Specific gaps that they have filled are shoe vouchers and rent
security deposit programs. They are looking to partner with the City and other service providers on the
creation of a resiliency hub - that would serve people who are experiencing chronic issues
(homelessness, hunger, weather exposure) and acute emergencies like hurricanes or pandemics. The
Covid-19 pandemic has shown more gaps in the system and Friends of Hampshire County Homeless,
ServiceNet, Community Action and other partners will continue to look how they can better serve the
City.
Dial/Self successful built teen housing (8 beds) and is actively fundraising to pay off the debt of the
project. There are no plans to expand their teen-housing at this point. Dial/Self also provides
employment, education, and civic opportunities specifically designed for teens. They have partnered
with the ACT Volunteer Center and AmeriCorps to increase their institutional capacity to gets teens
involved. At-risk youth have been identified by several service providers as a population that needs
housing, more direct engagement, and social services, so all opportunities will be investigated.
It is difficult to achieve new production goals when State funding takes multiple application rounds to
secure. Funding for domestic violence shelters and services has been cut substantially over the last few
years. That creates a critical gap in local systems. The ServiceNet Shelter and Housing division is
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composed of 26 funding sources; keeping track of that takes time away from client service. The State
created a Commission on Unaccompanied Youth but has yet to allocate any programmatic dollars. State
resources addressing the needs of youth aging out of the foster care system, LGBT youth, youth
struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues, is where the intervention is needed in order
to quell an ever burgeoning adult homeless population.
Overall, the institutional structure operating in Northampton is comprehensive, holistic and
collaborative. The service delivery system works as well as possible with limited resources. Greater
collaboration with underserved populations is needed, as well as greater proactivity affirmatively
furthering fair housing.
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SP-45 Goals Summary – 91.215(a)(4)
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
Affordable
Homeownership for
Individual & Families
Housing for At - Risk
& Special Needs
Populations
Economic
Development
Housing Support
Services
Addressing Basic
Needs
CDBG:
$511,755
Public service activities other
than Low/Moderate Income
Housing Benefit:
1900 Persons Assisted
Public service activities for
Low/Moderate Income Housing
Benefit:
75 Households Assisted
Homeless Person Overnight
Shelter:
1000 Persons Assisted
Overnight/Emergency
Shelter/Transitional Housing
Beds added:
25 Beds
Homelessness Prevention:
500 Persons Assisted
Jobs created/retained:
150 Jobs
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Sort Order Goal Name Start Year End Year Category Geographic Area Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
2 Preserve Affordable
Housing, Tenancy
Help & Rehab
2020 2024 Affordable
Housing
Non-Homeless
Special Needs
Homelessness
Prevention
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
Housing Support
Services
Elimination of Slums
and Blight
CDBG:
$998,673
Rental units constructed:
25 Household Housing Unit
Rental units rehabilitated:
35 Household Housing Unit
Homeowner Housing Added:
12 Household Housing Unit
Homeowner Housing
Rehabilitated:
15 Household Housing Unit
Direct Financial Assistance to
Homebuyers:
15 Households Assisted
Buildings Demolished:
1 Buildings
3 Economic
Development &
Income
Maximization
2020 2024 Non-Housing
Community
Development
Economic
Development
CDBG:
$316,800
Jobs created/retained:
50 Jobs
Businesses assisted:
50 Businesses Assisted
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Sort Order Goal Name Start Year End Year Category Geographic Area Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
4 Improve Public
Facilities &
Infrastructure
2020 2024 Non-Homeless
Special Needs
Public Facilities
and
Infrastructure
Public Facilities
Public Infrastructure
CDBG:
$951,096
Public Facility or Infrastructure
Activities other than
Low/Moderate Income Housing
Benefit:
6450 Persons Assisted
Public Facility or Infrastructure
Activities for Low/Moderate
Income Housing Benefit:
48 Households Assisted
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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 2024 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
Elimination of Slums
and Blight
CDBG:
$682,340
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Sort Order Goal Name Start Year End Year Category Geographic Area Needs Addressed Funding Goal Outcome Indicator
6 Removal of Slums
and Blight
2020 2024 Affordable
Housing
Non-Housing
Community
Development
Public Facilities
Elimination of Slums
and Blight
CDBG:
$60,000
Buildings Demolished:
1 Buildings
Table 53 – Goals Summary
Goal Descriptions
1 Goal Name Public Services
Goal
Description
CDBG public services allocations are made to a variety of grantees. Service provision ranges from elder meals on wheels,
youth employment readiness, emergency food distribution, mentoring at-risk youth, soup kitchen operation, and literacy and
language attainment.
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2 Goal Name Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help & Rehab
Goal
Description
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1"><tbody><tr><td valign="top">Rental Housing Construction and
Rehabilitation, Homeownership Housing Construction Rehabilitation, and down-paymnet assistance, and Preservation of
Housing Tenancy for low- and moderate-income families, individuals, and at-risk and special needs populations. The City will
also allocate CDBG funding for costs for winter shelters in the City. The City has allocated $83,175 of CDBG funds for the first
program year to rehabilitate a historical apartment complex and make one of the units ADA compliant.The housing rehab
program will continue, whether through PVPC or Community Action. The scope of work is 4-6 units to be completed each
year, if CDBG funding remains stable. The City will continue to look for opportunities to rehabilitate houses for accessibility,
code compliance, and emergency repairs. Lead paint abatement is another project area due to the age of the housing stock
and the possible impediment to access for families with children. This was clearly identified in the impediments to fair
housing study released last year. Down payment assistance grants and staffing capacity for first-time homebuyer program.
Educational workshops help to inform first-time homebuyers about the responsibilities and need for financial literacy to
avoid foreclosures. This has been an ongoing program for several years. The City regularly buy lands to portion off pieces for
conservation and creating affordable housing (“conservation limited development”). The Northampton Housing Partnership
monitors the expiring use properties in the City. The need for additional affordable housing units is imperative. The majority
of the units on the inventory are deed restricted for many years out. Many people who face financial challenges,
discrimination, and lack the resources to find housing, need special needs housing. These are formerly homeless, DMH case
managed people, those with criminal backgrounds and sex offender histories. Individuals with so many challenges often
struggle with access to and maintenance of affordable housing. The creation of new housing units for these populations has
not been identified for this current program year, but the City will continue to look for opportunities to create such units over
the remainder of this Consolidated Plan.</td></tr></tbody></table>
3 Goal Name Economic Development & Income Maximization
Goal
Description
Economic Development and Income Maximization, microenterprise, job retention and creation. Funds will be used to provide
one-on-one technical assistance and counseling to 8-10 income eligible residents for business startups. Assistance is also
provided to businesses with five or less employees to retain and or create new job opportunities.
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4 Goal Name Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Goal
Description
Public facilities and public infrastructure, including a community and resilience hub, infrastructure to serve low- and
moderate-income housing, and handicap accessibility improvements.
For program year one, the City will allocate $1000 for rehabilitation of a City-owned building's accessible bathroom and the
updating of its fixtures. The City will also install an accessible ramp at a local non-profit art center. The City will monitor the
needs and plan accordingly for the remainder of this Consolidated Plan. Eligible activities that will be considered are park
improvements, community and resiliency hub, street improvements, homeless-shelters, senior-centers, large housing
developments, and any infrastructure to serve low- and moderate-income residents.
River Run condominium development is considered a market rate(i.e., not subsidized) affordable housing off of Damon Road
and is isolated away from any sidewalks, so residents must walk in the road to access nearby services. Unit sales prices are
lower than most in the City and many of the units are absentee-owned and rented at affordable rates. Damon Road is highly
traveled and dangerous for pedestrians with a sidewalk access planned for 2021, Other goals for the City is improved
sidewalk accessibility from Damon Road down the River Run access drive.
5 Goal Name Planning and Administration
Goal
Description
CDBG planning and administration funds will be used over the course of the ConPlan to operate the program.
6 Goal Name Removal of Slums and Blight
Goal
Description
The removal of slums and blight helps alleviate potentially hazardous and dangerous properties. These can detract from the
character of the neighborhood or attract other unwanted outcomes like trash dumping or break-ins. While the City does not
often have slums and blight properties, these properties, once the blighted property has been removed, could be used to
have affordable housing, houses for first-time homebuyers, or a public facility located on them.
The City expects only one slums and blight property (spot basis) over the remainder of the Consolidated Plan. No areas of
slums and blight have been identified in the City.
Estimate the number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income families to whom the jurisdiction will provide
affordable housing as defined by HOME 91.315(b)(2)
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The number of extremely low-income families that will be provided affordable housing is 5. The number of low-income families that will
provided affordable housing is 15. The number of moderate-income people that will be provided affordable housing is 5.
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SP-50 Public Housing Accessibility and Involvement – 91.215(c)
Need to Increase the Number of Accessible Units (if Required by a Section 504 Voluntary
Compliance Agreement)
Despite the need for handicap accessible units expressed by the Stavros Center for Independent Living,
the Northampton Housing Authority reports low numbers on their wait lists for those units. It may be
related to minimal turnover, so people are reluctant to apply. All NHA elderly and disabled housing
developments meet or exceed Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 standards for accessibility.
All other NHA developments, including family projects, are at standard 504 levels and are handicap
accessible to the extent that building construction allows. Only seven families requested handicap
housing in 2019. Only 31 of the units managed by the Housing Authority are handicapped accessible.
Any new units being built in the future will add handicap accessible units to the inventory. There is no
Section 504 Voluntary Compliance agreement requirement for the Housing Authority to increase their
number of units
Activities to Increase Resident Involvements
The Housing Authority encourages tenants to attend the Board of Commissioners meetings held
monthly to express comments and concerns. Tenant associations exist in most of the elderly/younger
disabled developments but are not currently active in the two-family developments. The NHA has been
supportive of the Housing Partnership's application to the CPC to fund the Community Housing Support
Services Coordinator and is committed to working collaboratively with that person. The Housing
Authority issues a high number of notices to quit, usually for non-payment of rent, but does not evict
many families each year. That is indicative of their commitment to arrange payment plans and support
services to preserve tenancies when possible.
The Next Step Collaborative has invited the Executive Director to their meetings to provide context
about grants, programs, and share what the NHA's needs are.
The Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) Resident Services Program offers a wide variety of supports and
programming and the SHA program was examined as a model. The SHA offers on-site after school
programs, on-site recreational activities for youth, on-site financial literacy and budgeting workshops,
Department of Mental Health does home visits, an early childhood reading program, and cultivation of a
system of active tenant councils. The City is considering creating similar programming in Northampton.
Reinvigorating the tenant associations at Hampshire Heights and Florence Heights and strengthening
their relationships with the adjacent elementary schools is a prominent goal. The Jackson Street School
and Hampshire Heights are inextricably linked. Addressing language barriers is an issue due to a high
percentage of Spanish speaking people in the public housing complexes. Having a staff person on CHSSP
who fluent in Spanish would be helpful.
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Is the public housing agency designated as troubled under 24 CFR part 902?
No
Plan to remove the ‘troubled’ designation
Not applicable.
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SP-55 Barriers to affordable housing – 91.215(h)
Barriers to Affordable Housing
Previously, the 2014 Fair Housing Equity Assessment conducted by PVPC noted that collaboration
among governmental entities was an issue that created incomplete solutions to affordable housing. The
Housing Partnership’s Zoning Sub-Committee has identified zoning related issues, such as not allowing
multi-family housing by right in all zoning districts. This would lower the cost and speed up the process
at increasing the market rate affordable units in Northampton. Allowing two-family by right across the
City is being drafted as a parcel solution. The City, in a series of developer forums and working with a
real estate consulting firm, has been noted by developers by the ease at which they can work in the City,
so there are no major public policies under scrutiny at this time. However, the City of Northampton will
continue to do outreach and in the course of implementing the recommendations in the Analysis of
Impediments to Fair Housing from 2019, be open to proactively address specific policies that may be
identified that need to be examined and changed.
The 2019 "Unlocking Opportunity: An Assessment of Barriers to Fair Housing in Northampton" report
identified several barriers to affordable housing. They are listed here:
• Cost of housing
• Limited knowledge of fair housing
• Lack of trust in enforcement
• Lack of housing for families
• Impediments to access for people with disabilities
• Section 8 Voucher Discrimination
• NHA Local Preference
• Navigating affordable housing system difficulty
• Information access from NHA
• Affordable housing waitlist length
• Lead paint
• Zoning regulations that prevent multi-family homes in some areas
• Institutional racism
Strategy to Remove or Ameliorate the Barriers to Affordable Housing
To promote racial and economic integration and affirmatively further fair housing, Northampton should
develop more affordable housing. According to the impediments to fair housing study from 2019, many
current residents and minorities who are interested in residing in Northampton are priced out. The
starting price for a one bedroom is currently $1,100.
To increase housing opportunities for minority households and affirmatively further fair housing for
families with minor children, Northampton should create more three- and four-bedroom affordable
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housing units. Only 16% of all rental housing units in Northampton have three or more bedrooms. Yet
these units are needed by families of color in Northampton, where over 40% of Black and Latinx
households had four or more people living together. Over 30% of Asian family households had four or
more people living together. In comparison, only 28% of White non-Latinx households were made up of
four or more people.
There are also significant racial gaps in access to homeownership in Northampton. To address these
racial disparities in homeownership, Northampton must investigate best practices and provide options,
e.g. down payment assistance, to increase affordable homeownership opportunities.
Using the federal formula of affordability for rental housing (rent and utilities should be no more than
30% of a household’s income), an apartment for a household of two with the average gross household
income for Northampton, can barely meet that threshold for an affordable two-bedroom home.
The issue of the fair market rent being so much lower than rental rates continues to be a huge barrier to
accessing affordable housing in Northampton. The Housing Partnership will collaborate with other
groups in the City to address this in year one and develop a strategy in the program subsequent years.
The issue of unreported housing discrimination, related to income source, need for reasonable
accommodation, or presence of lead paint will also be investigated.
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SP-60 Homelessness Strategy – 91.215(d)
Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their
individual needs
The City of Northampton works closely with Eliot Homeless Services that operates locally through a
statewide vendor contract from the Department of Mental Health. The PATH Program (Project for
Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) provides mental health assessment, treatment, advocacy,
benefit assistance, DMH referrals, housing assistance and other support services to the adult homeless
population. PATH provides street outreach clinicians in Westfield, Holyoke, Greenfield, Pittsfield,
Amherst and Northampton.
Northampton’s outreach worker can often be found in his office at Bruegger’s Bagels on Main Street
(pre-Covid), meeting with clients. He visits the Resource Center (homeless drop- in site at 43 Center
Street) regularly, participates in coordinated case management meetings with Resource Center and
shelter staff, facilitates groups 2-3 mornings a week through the fall and winter that function as a
warming place where housing and employment information is disseminated, does one on one therapy
and surveys camp locations to link the unsheltered with needed resources.
Eliot Homeless Services works closely with ServiceNet, SMOC and other housing and service providers
via monthly REACH meetings and has made progress formalizing the new HUD Centralized intake
process to prioritize the most vulnerable chronically homeless individuals. The two fulltime Eliot
employees doing outreach coverage for Hampshire County also network with the Northampton Police,
the Department of Mental Health and accept community calls to help find unsheltered
individuals. Although no CDBG funds are allocated, this street level engagement component is critical to
the City's homelessness strategy. Street outreach updates are provided by the PATH clinician at the
monthly Next Step Collaborative meetings. The street outreach coordinator is in contact with the City's
land assistant who regularly finds homeless people encamped on City conservation land.
The family homeless system is operated by the Commonwealth. The Department of Housing and
Community Development and Department of Transitional Assistance have their own intake and
assessment system. With no family homeless shelter programs in Northampton and no unsheltered
families identified through the local PIT, family referrals are made to the Center for Human
Development which administers programs throughout Hampshire and Hampden counties.
Addressing the emergency and transitional housing needs of homeless persons
The City will continue to support the operations, with CDBG allocations and letters of support to other
funding sources, of the two emergency shelters for individuals operated by Service Net, Safe Passage
and Soldier On. There are two emergency shelters for the general individual population, an emergency
shelter for victims of domestic violence and 17 emergency beds at Soldier On for Veterans. Where
previously the amount of emergency shelter beds was considered sufficient, the Covid-19 pandemic has
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shown the number to be inadequate. The City is preparing plan to create a community and resiliency
hub that would support people with day programs and centralized referrals who are under acute stress,
such as those caused by a natural disaster or a pandemic, and chronic stress, such as homelessness,
housing insecurity, job insecurity, food insecurity, mental health and other issues. The Next Step
Collaborative makes an assessment at the end of each summer based on the numbers living outside, as
to shelter bed capacity for the coming winter. With the overflow beds in Easthampton and the winter
shelter in Amherst, the majority of those seeking emergency shelter have been accommodated.
The Grove Street Inn has four transitional beds where guests in need of more time beyond the 60 days
to assemble resources can stay. Soldier On has 17 transitional beds for Veterans and Grace House has 14
units or 35 transitional beds for women in recovery and their children. Safe Passage has expressed the
need for transitional housing units for their families. There are some providers who support the
transitional housing unit type, despite HUD's push to convert them to permanent supported units. The
defined time period of 24 months works as a parameter for clients to achieve certain milestones and
develop skill sets necessary to maintain permanent units. With the exception of Safe Passage, the City
has no current plans to increase the number of transitional housing units.
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 Northampton Housing Partnership has worked in conjunction with ServiceNet, Inc. to request for
CPC for funds for first and last month's rent, and security deposits for homeless people to access
housing. Most landlords require all three which makes it difficult for someone to accumulate in order to
rent an apartment. The local providers assemble and identify clients most ready to access housing. If
possible, repayments are made to the fund when people are stable in their housing, to keep dollars
available for the next person. Time periods for homelessness are largely dependent on available
resources for referral.
The CoC HMIS Administrator reports average lengths of homelessness as follows: for families = 0 days;
for individuals 95 days; for the chronically homeless 470 days, for Veterans = 145 days and 51 days for
persons with HIV/AIDS. All of these categories have seen decreases since the last ConPlan, except
Veterans, which saw a tripling of the length of homelessness.
The SRO Outreach Coordinator, Eliot Services, the Community Housing Support Services Coordinator,
Resident Services Coordinators and Department of Mental Health Case Managers all assist the formerly
homeless with what they need to remain stable in their housing. Activities could include income
maximization, community meal and food pantry access to ameliorate food insecurity and leave more of
their income for housing costs, nutritional support to be physically healthy, referrals to medical
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treatment, provision of transportation to appointments and food sites, information dissemination on
landlord tenant mediation to resolve conflicts that put housing at risk, intervention from the Tenancy
Preservation Program when mental health challenges manifest in hoarding situations that put housing
at risk, etc. The provider community benefits from a tool called the HOT, developed by the Data
Coordinator for the Network to End Homelessness which identifies vacant beds in the Continuum, so no
time is lost making referrals.
Help low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely
low-income individuals and families who are likely to become homeless after being
discharged from a publicly funded institution or system of care, or who are receiving
assistance from public and private agencies that address housing, health, social services,
employment, education or youth needs
There are several entities working on homelessness prevention:
• Community Legal Aid working with families in the court system with eviction notices
• Western Mass. Network to End Homelessness
• SRO Outreach Coordinator
• Tenancy Preservation Program
• Highland Valley Elder Services/Protective Services
• Community Housing Support Services Coordinator
• Center for Human Development working with families and FOR Families, working with Way
Finders doing case management for families in hotels/motels
All those efforts include case management focused on preserving existing tenancies, as it is more
humane and cost efficient than serving people in shelter. The CoC works on protocol planning with
publicly funded systems and institutions, all of which have State policies prohibiting them from
discharging people into homelessness.
The local Cooley Dickinson Hospital has a good working relationship with area shelters, the Department
of Mental Health is a present community partner and collaborator on housing placements and case
management, the Department of Children and Families increased their age limit for services to youth to
21, to serve those lacking life skills to live independently, and the Reintegration Program at the
Hampshire County house of Corrections holds a monthly roundtable with area providers to avoid
discharges into homelessness. These efforts are not always successful, due to the lack of options for
referrals, but the structure is in place to make the best use of what is available.
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SP-65 Lead based paint Hazards – 91.215(i)
Actions to address LBP hazards and increase access to housing without LBP hazards
The 2019 Assessment to Barriers of Fair housing identified lead paint as a barrier to housing availability
and affordability. The Northampton Housing Partnership has pledged to investigate this issue further.
The Childhood Lead Prevention Program (CLPP) rates for Massachusetts are not showing that the City
has a poisoning issue. However, landlords in the community are refusing to rent to families because they
think there may be lead paint on the premises and do not want to go through the abatement process.
With 63% of all housing units in the community having been built prior to 1960, there will be many
homes with remnants of lead based paint.
The Community Development Planner will investigate EPA programs or HUD's Office of Lead Hazard
Control and Healthy Homes to fund lead paint abatement and drive down the cost. Other
recommendations provided by the 2019 Fair Housing assessment will be investigated.
According to the 2019 Fair Housing assessment, "Massachusetts dropped the threshold for lead
poisoning to 10 micrograms per deciliter" and simplified the de-leading requirements in 2016. This is a
step towards ending discrimination based on lead paint, but there is still not enough public funding for
lead paint remediation.
The Northampton Housing Partnership (NHP) will continue to send out a letter under the Mayor's
signature in the annual census request to multifamily property owners with information on abatement
resources. If the State Get the Lead Out Program has funds, that information will be disseminated. The
NHP has been reluctant to hold informational workshops on abatement with no resources to offer.
Landlords do not want to come forward, as it is a public acknowledgement that they may need to
address the issue in their units. The Board of Health has agreed to collect data on abatement
certifications moving forward. The information they have now is in a card file, so it cannot be sorted. An
electronic data base will be used to collect only that data separately, in the future.
How are the actions listed above related to the extent of lead poisoning and hazards?
Current personnel in the Board of Health report they cannot give accurate data on the numbers of units
in the community where lead paint abatement has occurred. They will track this moving forward. The
Health Inspector says they are always contacted by doctor's offices if a child tests above minimum lead
standards during pediatric visits. Public housing and subsidized housing have been abated to their
knowledge. Private housing stock has a form that asks 1.) are there are children present and 2.) how old
are they. The Health Inspector occasionally get requests from concerned parents about flaking paint and
their worries about lead dangers. Some only call in their last month of tenancy for fear of the landlord.
Due to the age of the housing stock, there remains high levels of lead paint in the community. However,
poison incidence rates are non-existent and renters don't always come forward when denied an
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apartment by a landlord. It is difficult to get a handle on the universe of the problem, with no
complaints and no data. Work will continue during the term of this Consolidated Plan to do more
research.
How are the actions listed above integrated into housing policies and procedures?
Service providers are encouraged to inform their clients that anyone can call the Health and Building
Inspections Departments and ask for a Health Department housing inspection.
The City has not conducted workshops before because there were no abatement resources to offer. The
State's funding allocations fluctuate greatly. The City has heard from the landlord community that
people would be reluctant to come out because they fear the issue, the costs and the repercussions if
they reveal themselves having a potential problem. It has been difficult determining how to get the
information out to the people that need it. Lead Paint abatement is an area the City could focus a new
housing rehab program on.
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SP-70 Anti-Poverty Strategy – 91.215(j)
Jurisdiction Goals, Programs and Policies for reducing the number of Poverty-Level Families
The goal of the City's anti-poverty strategy is to continue to fund projects that focus on economic
empowerment for low- and moderate-income people - those families and individuals who are
underserved. CDBG allocations have been made to the Center for New Americans Career Pathways
Program, The Passport to Success Project of The Literacy Project, Community Action's Youth
Employment Readiness Project, the Valley CDC's Small Business Entrepreneurial Assistance Program and
have provided down payment assistance to First Time Homebuyers. City facilities are utilized by
Community Action Pioneer Valley, the regions CAP agency. The Vernon Street School houses the Fuel
Assistance and Weatherization Programs, as well as Head Start and other programs. The James House
child care room is used by their Early Child Intervention programs and home based child care providers.
The City also supports a Living Wage campaign that through the work of Community Legal Aid and
volunteers, has secured commitments from dozens of local businesses to pay a living wage to their
employees.
How are the Jurisdiction poverty reducing goals, programs, and policies coordinated with this
affordable housing plan
Valley CDC and Way Finders will finish rehabilitation and an addition of 16 units to their 15 unit Sergeant
House SRO in downtown Northampton. This SRO is on the main bus route with connections to Amherst,
Holyoke, and Springfield - all areas with access to jobs, services, and more transportation connections.
The SRO's location in downtown Northampton makes it convenient for Sergeant House residents to
access housing support, meals, financial literacy classes, and job training programs.
The last few program years have seen the opening of the Lumber Yard and Live 155 housing
developments on Pleasant Street in downtown Northampton. These fully rented-up affordable housing
units are now established and the City, through its Next Step Collaborative and other associations will
integrate them more fully with services. The City is working on acquiring and preparing land for RFP
process to develop affordable homes on a few lots in Northampton.
Permanent supported housing is the key to stabilizing individuals and families that face many
challenges. Northampton has an extensive and caring support services community. Most of the services
they provide to people that are housed are not compensated for. Securing financial resources from the
DHCD for support services is imperative.
Homeless prevention and housing stabilization activities will continue to be funded to the extent CDBG
allocations allow. Some of the amounts are so small the agencies use them merely to leverage other
funds and to show City support for their programming. Funding staff capacity for the two general
population emergency shelters and the SRO Outreach Project have been the core of the City's
commitment for decades.