The Office for Community Development (OCD) administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program Grant (HOME)  received by the City from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The CDBG funds may be used for a wide range of activities that improve housing, the living environment and economic opportunities, primarily for persons of low to moderate income. The HOME funds can be used for housing (rehab, new construction, homebuyer) only.

Please explore the Community Development webpages for information on homeownership, fair housing, historic resources, and CDBG-funded public services available to Holyoke residents and businesses.

We appreciate your patience as we update this new webpage!  Some links may be temporarily disabled.

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The Office for Community Development welcomes public input and participation in its public hearings. Public hearings and meeting notices are posted here and outside the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall. Check back often and feel free to attend!

Environmental Assessments

The City of Holyoke has completed two Environmental Assessments and will request the Release of Funds from HUD  for the acquisition of vacant parcels and subsequent construction of three single family houses on Walnut Street and one duplex on Chestnut Street for income-eligible owner-occupants with HOME Funds.  Comments will be accepted by the Office for Community Development until May 28, 2013.  Date of Notice:  May 3, 2013.

FY2013-2014 Annual Action Plan Thirty Day Public Comment Period

The FFY2013 Allocation Process is underway.  Here’s the latest Allocation Spreadsheet with the funding recommendations from the Office for Community Development, Citizens Advisory Council, Redevelopment Committee, City Council and Mayor (preliminary). 

The thirty day public comment on the draft FFY2013 Annual Action Plan is open effective March 20, 2013.  A draft copy of the FFY2013 Annual Action Plan will be available for comment and will be posted here shortly.  Comments can be made on the proposed FFY2013 Allocation Spreadsheet which lists the proposed activities for July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 and the funding levels.  Comments may submitted to the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development, Room 400, City Hall Annex, Holyoke MA 01040 Attn: Linda B. McQuade, Administrator until April 22, 2013. 

HOME Investment Partnerships Program- Request for Proposals

 The City of Holyoke is accepting Proposals for its HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds. The amount of HOME funds expected to be awarded is up to $700,000, which may include up to $50,000 specifically designated for direct homebuyer assistance. Funding will be in the form of grants, loans or deferred payment loans, the amount and terms of which will be determined by the City. Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) in good standing are encouraged to apply.

 The City’s 2010- 2014 Consolidated Plan housing priorities are as follows:

1. Increase availability of  housing stock for purchase and occupancy by low and moderate income persons in Holyoke.
2. Preserve and improve the existing owner-occupied housing stock in Holyoke by moderate rehabilitation through home improvement programs.
3. Facilitate homeownership for low and moderate income persons in Holyoke by  providing assistance with downpayment and closing costs.
4. Increase  availability of elderly units in Holyoke  for low and moderate income persons.
5. Preserve  and improve the rental housing stock by rehabilitation of rental properties.

 The City is seeking HOME proposals for Priorities 1, 3, or 5 at this time.

HOME is authorized under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended. Program regulations are at 24 CFR Part 92. HOME program regulations and standards contain property value and sale price limits, completion deadlines, rent limits, household income limits, developer capacity, fiscal soundness and experience criteria as well as other requirements and stipulations. HOME also requires enforceable provisions to ensure housing affordability.   Interested parties are encouraged to review the HOME Program prior to submitting a Proposal.  Additional information about the HOME Program can be reviewed at

http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/programs/home/

Proposal Packets may be obtained from the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development.  The Proposal Packets will be distributed in electronic form and only upon request.  Please contact the Office for Community Development at (413) 322-5610 to request a copy.  The deadline for submission of proposals is 4:00 PM, on Friday, May 3, 2013. 

Questions about the process, submittals, or HOME Program must be submitted in writing to martinsj@ci.holyoke.ma.us or by fax to (413)322-5611 until April 26, 2013.  Written responses will be provided to the Applicant and posted at the Office for Community Development webpage, www.holyoke.org.

Resources for Property Owners, Businesses and Residents 

The Office for Community Development funds several programs offering assistance to homeowners, rental property owners, small businesses and developers. Check here for a program that may help you.

Is assistance available to HOMEOWNERS for improvements?

Yes! The Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) administered by Olde Holyoke Development Corp. provides up to 60% rebates for home improvement of one-to-four unit, owner occupied properties. Program eligibility and the rebate percentage are based upon family size and income. Homeowners must be current on city property taxes and utilities.

Funded improvements include, but are not limited to:

New siding, new wiring, new plumbing, insulation, storm windows and doors, new driveways, lead-based paint removal, asbestos removal, roof repair, chimney repair, porch replacement, ceiling replacement, foundation repair, bathroom expansion for ADA accessibility, gutter and downspout replacements and smoke/heat detection systems.

Improvements must meet all NIP Program, OHDC, OCD, and HUD requirements including Safe Lead Practices, asbestos requirements, and Massachusetts Historic Commission approval, as applicable.

Homeowners must apply and be approved prior to starting work. All applications are subject to a home inspection and eligibility verification.

Funding is subject to the City receiving CDBG funds and funds being awarded to the NIP during the CDBG allocation process.

Please contact Olde Holyoke Development Corp. at 533-7101 for additional information.

Is assistance available to RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS for improvements?

 Yes! The Rental Neighborhood Assistance Program (RNIP) administered by Olde Holyoke Development Corp. provides low interest loans for multi-family (5+ units) property improvements.

Priority consideration is given to those projects that bring occupied buildings into compliance with applicable codes. Refinancing of existing debt is not allowed. Loans up to $21,500/unit, depending on building equity and projected income.

Projects must meet all RNIP Program, OHDC, OCD, and HUD requirements including Safe Lead Practices, asbestos requirements, procurement, Section 3, federal wage rates and Massachusetts Historic Commission approval, as applicable. Property owners must be current on City of Holyoke property taxes and utilities. Tenant income requirements must be met and will be verified.

Property owners must apply and be approved prior to starting work. All applications are subject to property inspections and eligibility verification.

Funding is from the RNIP Revolving Loan Fund. RNIP is now open. Please contact Olde Holyoke Development Corp. at 533-7101 for additional information.

Is assistance available to BUSINESS OWNERS?

Is assistance available for SMALL BUSINESS development?

The Small Loan Program Pamphlet may be able to help by providing loan guarantees to businesses.

The Holyoke Chamber of Commerce offers business advocacy, education and training and job placement assistance.

Is assistance available to DEVELOPERS?

 At least once a year, the OCD issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) for housing development under the federal HOME program. HOME provides direct funding for new construction and rehabilitation of housing. If you are interested in knowing more about HOME program funding or the RFP, please contact our office.

The HOME Program Request for Proposals is now open and is available under the Announcements section.

Are you or your family in need of educational services, summer camp, child care, food,

employment training or other services?

The Community Development Block Grant Program funds a variety of public services for the Holyoke community. Please see the FY2012 Public Service Directory for additional information about available services.

Choosing where you live is a right.   Here are some excellent resources if you have questions about Fair Housing-

MA Fair Housing Center

MA Justice Project

HUD Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

The following links may be disabled.  Please be patient as we rebuild our webpage!

Have You Found Closed Doors When Looking for Housing?  Espanol

Fair Housing Domestic Violence Victims

Fair Housing Sexual Orientation

Fair Housing HIV-AIDS

Vivienda justa para individuos con VIH/SIDA

Fair Housing Physical Disabilities

Vivienda justa para individuos con discapacidades fisicas

Fair Housing Mental Disabilities

Fair Housing Mental Disabilities Espanol

Fair Housing Families with Children

Discriminacion contra familias con ninos

Fair Housing for Individuals Receiving Public or Housing Assistance

Fair Housing Public or Housing Assistance Espanol

The City of Holyoke is an Entitlement Community for the Community Development Block Grant and is the Lead City in the Holyoke-Chicopee-Westfield HOME Consortium. These grants are awarded directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Community Development Block Grant Program

What agencies/programs were funded for July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)?

FY2012 Allocation Spreadsheet

How are CDBG Funds allocated?

Allocation of the CDBG funds is done through a competitive multi-step grant process whereby interested agencies and others submit proposals to provide public services benefiting low and moderate income persons in Holyoke .  For more information on the process schedule, please see the FY2013 Consolidated Plan Schedule

OCD staff, the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC), the Mayor and the City Council review the proposals and make funding recommendations. The Mayor makes all final award decisions and submits the allocation plan to HUD by May 15, 2012 for activities beginning on July 1, 2012.

Proposals must meet HUD regulatory eligibility criteria and be able to demonstrate performance objectives and outcomes.

How can the public participate in the CDBG allocation process?

The public is invited to attend CAC and City Council meetings to observe allocation discussions and to attend public hearings regarding annual plans and re-programming requests.  The FY2013 Consolidated Plan Schedule  lists all public meetings and hearings.  Please confirm dates, times, and locations with OCD or the City Clerk.

How are the City of Holyoke’s needs and priorities determined?

Every five years, OCD prepares a five-year Consolidated Plan with specific annual updates detailing the projects to be undertaken in that program year.

The 2010-2014 Strategic Consolidated Plan presents an overview of the City’s priorities for the next five years.  The Annual Plan details the activities to be funded by CDBG and HOME for that year.

Consolidated Strategic Plan 2010-2014.pdf

Five Year Appendices.pdf   

2012 Annual Plan

How is progress of funded activities monitored?

OCD conducts fiscal and performance monitoring of each funded agency to ensure that all programs and projects are in compliance with OCD and HUD regulations.

By September 30^th of each year, OCD must prepare a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to report on the progress of funded projects.  The CAPER is then submitted to HUD.

Below is the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the period ending June 30, 2011.

2010 CAPER 

HOME Investment Partnerships Program

HOME funds are allocated via a separate Request for Proposals procurement process .  The HOME Program is now open (June 15, 2012 through July 20, 2012).

CHDO Certification

The City of Holyoke, on behalf of the Chicopee-Westfield-Holyoke Consortium, conducts Community Home Development Organization (CHDO) certification for the Consortium’s HOME program.  At least 15% of the Consortium’s HOME allocation must be awarded to qualified CHDO’s.

Currently certified CHDO’s for the Consortium are:  Chicopee Neighborhood Development Corporation, Domus, Inc.

All new and existing CHDO’s must become familiar with CHDO Policies and Procedures.  All new CHDO’s must complete the CHDO application.  A Recertification Application will not be accepted for initial certification.  Deadline for certification submittal is November 30th for CHDO status eligibility December 1st- December 1st.  Recertifications for existing CHDO’s will be due annually on November 1st.

CHDO_Policies.doc

CHDO_Application.doc

CHDO Recertification Form 

What’s the history of my home- is it on the Historic Inventory?  

 Detailed information about historical development of Holyoke is available in the 1982 MHC Reconnaissance Survey Town Report.

The Holyoke Historic Inventory  of individual property addresses is available here.  Historic property information may be available online from the MA Cultural Resources Information System (MACRIS).

If you are using HUD funds (like the CDBG or RNIP programs) for the rehab work, the Massachusetts Historical Commission must approve your work before you begin.  Rehab and renovation work must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.  The Office for Community Development will coordinate MHC review for you as part of the Environmental Review Process.

How do I renovate in an historically sensitive manner?*

Holyoke Historical Commission

Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation

Preservation Mass

Preservation Mass Consultant Directory

New England Window Restoration Alliance

*Please note that OCD provides these links for public information

purposes only and in no way endorses, recommends or suggests 

any specific service, contractor or advertiser.

Thinking of Buying a Home in Holyoke?

Check out Buy Holyoke Now 

Buy Holyoke Now is an initiative that establishes a collaboration of public, nonprofit and private-sector organizations to preserve and promote homeownership opportunities throughout the City of Holyoke.

Need to Know More About the Homebuying Process?  Be an Educated Homebuyer!

The Holyoke Housing Authority and HAP, Inc. offer first time home buyer education classes. Topics include money management, securing a mortgage, avoiding scams, understanding credit, and creating individual financial plans and timelines.  Classes are required for those income-eligible persons seeking down payment assistance.

Need Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance?

The Holyoke Housing Authority also offers first time home buyer financial assistance. Recipients of first time home buyer funds must meet HHA, HUD and OCD eligibility criteria and complete a first time home buyer education class

Ready to Buy? Home Ownership Opportunity

From time to time, the OCD provides federal funds to develop homes for sale to income qualified buyers.  Check back for available properties.

 Equal Housing Opportunity

For information on lead paint removal/abatement loans, visit MA Get the Lead Out.  The local lender for Hampden County is HAP in Springfield (413-233-1500).

Information of deleading, the MA laws, and searchable databases, visit MA Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Center

If your agency receives Community Development Block Grant funds, this page is just for you!

Sub-Recipient Manual

Monthly Monitoring Report Form

Monthly Activity Funding Update Form

Sub-Recipient Training Program

Monitoring

OCD staff will be contacting each agency to schedule Performance and Fiscal Monitoring.  Here are the Performance Monitoring Checklist and Fiscal Monitoring Checklists for your reference.  Please have all documentation ready and accessible for the monitoring visit.