Public Hearing On Block Grant Priorities For 2023 Application Process

Source: amherstma.gov

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has designated the Town of Amherst a Mini-Entitlement Community that is eligible to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.  In accordance with DHCD regulations, Amherst’s CDBG Advisory Committee will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 7 PM to receive comments and suggestions from local residents and service providers regarding Community priorities for the 2022 and 2023 CDBG application process. 

The CDBG Advisory Committee will receive suggestions and comments on how to prioritize activities within the following areas:

• Social services (Household stabilization, Support services for those experiencing homelessness, Youth services/development, Adult education, Food and nutrition, etc.) 
• Non-social services such as affordable housing, public infrastructure, and business assistance; 
• Target area neighborhoods where non-social services can take place; and
• Review of the Community Development Strategy

The Public Hearing will be conducted virtually at https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/83234814199  and will accommodate public comment. To join the meeting via telephone: Call (312) 626-6799 or (646) 876-9923 and enter Webinar ID when prompted: 818 9282 3982. 

More information can be viewed on the committee’s webpage and on DHCD’s webpage.

As a reminder, the 2022-2023 CDBG process is different this year. Here are the highlights:

• The Town will issue the RFP to agencies on September 30th with a due date on November 4.
• Contracts for the 2022-2023 grant would begin on July 1, 2023 at the earliest, but late summer/early fall is more likely.
• This means current 2021 grantees will have a funding gap of at least 3 months but possibly 5-7 months as the 2021 grant runs through April 30, 2023.
• The 2022-2023 grant covers a 2-year cycle, so there will be no grant round for 2023. This grant has a 24-month implementation window and twice as much money will be allocated
• We are still bound to funding only five (5) social service activities and (3) non-social service activities this round.

Questions?
 Contact Amherst Planner Ben Breger at bregerb@amherstma.gov