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Date: 9/1/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Office of Community Development hosted a public hearing on Aug. 16 to solicit comments from any person or organization wishing to be heard in regard to the development of the town's fiscal year 2021 (FY21) Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application.
Stephanie Welch, community development director, began the hearing with the review of the budget for the current fiscal year, along with FY18, 19, 20, and the COVID-19 Grant. The grant is administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) then awards the funds to the Office of Community Development.
Every year, Welch explained that they apply for $825,000. “The goal is to remove barriers – remove for resource equity. We want to give everyone opportunities regardless of income.”
During the meeting, Welch discussed each FY21 grant application program in detail, beginning with housing rehabilitation. “$120,000 is proposed to rehabilitate three units in the Southeast target area of West Springfield for low-income individuals. The program is administered through Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.”
Next, the public facilities/infrastructure included Chapin Street paving improvements. A total of $90,960.27 was proposed to repave the street and repair the tree belt of Chapin Street, which is phase two of the improvements. In phase one, a part of the FY20 grant will replace the existing waterline which according to Welch, was in “urgent need of repair.”
For phase three of the Boys and Girls Club renovations and improvements, $325,000 was proposed to complete this project. “This phase will focus on improving the preschool and games room spaces and updating the HVAC systems and bathrooms,” said Welch.
Regarding public social services, the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) of Massachusetts Path to Employment Program had $25,000 proposed to its program, including eight courses throughout the year, of 12 classes each, “to include, but not be limited to: web resources for resume creation, web-search training in online-based job websites and databases, tips for online translation services, and social networking as a career-building tool.”
In addition to this digital training, participants will learn skills such as how to prepare for a job interview and appropriate behaviors in the workplace. Welch stated, “Altogether, these services will provide a more comprehensive approach to facilitating successful job placement.”
For the Community Action Pioneer Valley, $15,000 was proposed for Head Start and Early Learning Programs which promotes school readiness by “enhancing the social, cognitive, and emotional development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families.”
These programs allow for parents to be engaged with their children’s learning and assisting them toward educational, literacy and employment goals for the future. Welch said, “In order to provide such comprehensive services, translation services for program materials and providing interpretation is critical.”
The West Springfield Public Library offers an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program. For the FY21 grant application, $10,000 was proposed for these ESOL classes that take place for 30 weeks throughout the year. Every six weeks, new classes form and people may alternate classes based on their levels. During these classes, students learn vocabulary, necessary writing skills and grammar, along with conversation.
Next, Welch discussed the Boys and Girls Club and their Summer Camp Scholarship Program. The Office of Community Development proposed $20,000 toward this program. This program will operate for eight weeks, beginning in June and lasting until August 2022. Welch said this camp will serve about 150 children, six through 13 years of age, in the Pioneer Valley. Of those 150 children, approximately 20 will receive the CDBG-funded scholarships.
An additional $38,000 for the Wayfinders’ First Time Home Buyers Education and Counseling and Downpayment Assistance Program was proposed. Welch said, “The First Time Homebuyer Educational Program targets low and moderate-income families with the goal of stabilizing neighborhoods and communities through increased homeownership.”
“CDBG funds are sought to cover the costs of two homebuyer education workshop courses [that take place] in West Springfield for low and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. Individual counseling services will be provided to many of these families. In addition, Wayfinders proposes the Downpayment Assistance Program to make four loans available for qualifying low-moderate income households who plan to purchase their first home in West Springfield,” said Welch. “We estimate that at least 70 percent will be current West Springfield residents or those who wish to purchase homes in West Springfield.”
Following Welch’s detailed descriptions of the FY21 Small Cities CDBG application, Katelyn Fogarty, hearing officer, asked attendees for any comments or questions; there was none. The Office of Community Development also accepted written statements until Aug. 20.