CDBG Public Hearing: May 8th
- COSAHC
- Apr 25
- 3 min read
Town of Amherst
Public Hearing for Re-Allocation of Funds
Excess funds from the 2022/23 grant round are available for re-allocation for non-social service activities. A public hearing to discuss proposals for the re-allocation is scheduled for May 8, 2025. Hearing notice is posted below:
Notice of Public Hearing
CDBG Advisory Committee
Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 7 PM
The Public Hearing and Meeting will be conducted virtually at https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/82979780937 and will accommodate public comment to the extent practical. To join the meeting via telephone: Call (312) 626-6799 or (646) 876-9923 and enter Webinar ID when prompted: 829 7978 0937.
PUBLIC HEARING
The Amherst CDBG Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss and vote on the re-allocation of funds from the 2022/23 grant. These funds can only be used for a non-social service project that meets the criteria laid out in the Town’s 2025 RFP, available on the CDBG Advisory Committee page on the Town’s website.
The Committee reserves the right to allocate all the funds to a single project or to divide the amount among more than one proposal. Priority will be given to proposals that are ready to be implemented as soon as funding is available. Final approval of projects will be the decision of the Town Manager based on the Committee’s recommendations.
2025 Non-Social Service Priority:
To continue meeting the goals of the community’s Master Plan, Community Development Strategy, and Community Priorities by focusing efforts on target areas (areas in which 51% or more of residents are low- and moderate-income) including the Town Center, East Amherst Village Center, and the East Hadley Road/Pomeroy Village Center. Non-social services include infrastructure, buildings, housing rehabilitation, and small business assistance.
INTRODUCTION
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) has designated the Town of Amherst a Mini-Entitlement Community that is eligible to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Each year the Town can apply to receive federal funds administered by the EOHLC, which are awarded primarily to projects, programs, and services that improve the lives of Amherst's low and moderate income residents (defined as individuals or families whose annual income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income as determined by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - HUD), and be located in an identified neighborhood or target area.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Amherst must apply each year to EOHLC to receive the funding. The CDBG Advisory Committee, with assistance from Town staff, oversees the public input process by holding Public Hearings and Public Meetings so that Amherst residents and Boards & Committees have an opportunity to discuss priorities and target areas. The CDBG Advisory Committee also solicits proposals from the community to help determine which projects receive funding. These proposals can be submitted by various parties, including but not limited to a single individual (i.e. a developer), a Town Board / Committee, or a non-profit organization. Those interested in making a funding request are encouraged to contact Town staff.
During the application process, Amherst residents have an opportunity to discuss the following components of the Town's application to EOHLC:
Community Priorities: A summary of community development goals that will have a positive impact in Amherst, especially low and moderate income residents.
Community Development Strategy: A 3-page document that summarizes the Town's Master Plan, including identification of goals and objectives of community development efforts over a 3-to-5-year period.
Map of Target Areas: A map that identifies areas in Town that are a priority to receive funding.
Project Proposals: Proposals are submitted to the CDBG Advisory Committee for review and prioritization as part of the Town's CDBG application.
Comments