| Office for Community Development |
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| Written by Community Development Admin |
| Monday, April 28 2008 14:52 |
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OFFICE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT City Hall Annex, Room 400 Holyoke MA 01040 (413) 322-5610 (413) 322-5611 (Fax) Linda B. McQuade, Administrator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Alicia M. Zoeller, J.D., Deputy Administrator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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 only.
Community Development Block Grant Community Development Block Grants are awarded to programs, projects and recipients that meet the HUD eligibility requirements and criteria. Funds are used for a wide activity of activities, including, after-school activities for children, meal delivery for elders, work-force education and training and municipal park improvements.
FY2011 Allocations- Spreadsheet updated on March 11, 2011.
The FY2011 (July 1, 2011- June 30, 2012) application process is now closed.
The review process for CDBG Applications has begun. The funding recommendations for each proposal from OCD staff, the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), the Redevelopment Committee, the City Council and the Mayor are available on the FY2011 Allocation Spreadsheet which is updated throughout the review process.
The Second Year Consolidated Annual Action Plan 2011 for July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 (Draft as of March 25, 2011) is available for review and comment.
What are Holyoke's CDBG and HOME allocations for FY2011?
As of April 22, 2011, the FY2011 funding allocations are still unknown. According to unofficial sources, the April 8, 2011 federal compromise budget that avoided a government shutdown included a 17% cut for CDBG and a 15% cut for HOME.
The City of Holyoke is currently proceeding with the recommendation and allocation process using last year's grant amount. When the final FY2011 allocation is known, it will be reflected on the FY2011 allocation spreadsheet.
How are CDBG Funds allocated?
Allocation of the CDBG funds is done through a competitive multi-step grant process according to the 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, 2011 for activities beginning on July 1, 2011.
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.
A thirty-day public comment period on the proposed allocations and the 2011 Annual Plan opened on March 23, 2011. Read the draft Annual Plan and provide This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. here!
The Consolidated Plan Schedule lists the currently scheduled meetings for FY2011. Please confirm meeting time and date with OCD or the City Clerk.
How were the FY2010 CDBG funds allocated? For the year beginning July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, the City received $1,454,677 in CDBG and $635,804 as its share of the Holyoke-Chicopee-Westfield Consortium HOME funds. The FY2010 CDBG Allocation Spreadsheet lists the yearly CDBG proposals and HOME categories that were funded and reports on the recommendations as made by the OCD, Citizens Advisory Council, Mayor and City Council during the review process. 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 2010 Annual Action Plan
How is progress of funded activities monitored?
By September 30th of each year, OCD must prepare and submit to HUD, a Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to report on the progress of funded projects. Below is the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the period ending June 30, 2010. 2009 CAPER_I.pdf 2009 CAPER_II.pdf
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
HOME funds are allocated via a separate Request for Proposals procurement process.
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.
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_Recertification_Application.doc
Additional OCD Programs and Public Services
Is assistance available to homeowners for home 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? 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.
Are you a business owner in need of a small loan?
The Business Small Loan Program may be able to help!
Are you in need of child care or tutoring, food, shelter, job training, adult education or other assistance? The Community Development Block Grant Program funds a variety of public services for the Holyoke community. Please see the FY2010 Public Servics Directory for additional information about available services.
Compliance and Fair Housing Office
The Compliance Office monitors employment, advertising and hiring for the City of Holyoke and the Community Development Block Grant recipients. This office also produces quarterly and annual reports submitted to the state and federal government.
The Compliance Office works with the Holyoke Fair Housing Commission to eliminate discrimination and increase access to housing in Holyoke. To file a complaint of housing discrimination, fill out the Housing Discrimination Complaint Form and mail it to Compliance Office, Room 400, City Hall Annex, Holyoke MA 01040 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. it.
The Compliance Office works to ensure full and equal access to public services and accommodations in partnership with state and federal agencies. The Compliance Office coordinates and monitors the City's compliance with federal and state laws for persons with disabilities.
For information about Fair Housing or compliance, please contact Dan Burns, Compliance Director at (413) 322-5610 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Additional resources: Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Report- September 2006
Projects funded by CDBG or HOME funds undergo an environmental review pursuant to 24 CFR Part 58 to ensure compliance with a variety of environmental laws, regulations and policies. For additional information about the environmental review process, please visit the HUD website.
Environmental review public notices including notification of public comment periods are posted below. For information regarding environmental reviews, please contact Alicia M. Zoeller, J.D., Deputy Administrator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Community Field Park Re-Development The City of Holyoke is about to embark on a redevelopment of Community Field to create a year-round multi-generational park. Recreational amenities will be upgraded and added; park access and parking will be improved; and significant work will be done to Day Brook and the stormwater management system to alleviate flooding. Park design and environmental permitting were completed in 2010.
Funding for this project is from several sources including the HUD Community Development Block Grant Program. As part of CDBG, the federal government requires grantees (the City of Holyoke) to review the proposed project to ensure that the project will not have an adverse impact on the human or natural environment.
Over the next few weeks, the Office for Community Development will be issuing a series of public notices. These notices serve to document the City of Holyoke’s compliance with HUD CDBG requirements (Part 58) including a detailed evaluation of the work proposed in wetlands.
The project design and plans have not changed from that permitted by the City of Holyoke Conservation Commission and MA DEP. VHB prepared a Project_Narrative_VHB.pdf and wetland delineation (mapping) as part of the prior permitting process.
Wetland Notice #1 Written comments related to the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposal to Support An Activity in and near Jurisdictional Wetlands must be received by the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development: City Hall Annex, Room 400, Holyoke MA 01040 by February 22, 2011. Comments may be mailed, faxed to 413-322-5611 or emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Wetland Notice #2 Written comments related to the Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in Wetlands must be received by the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development: City Hall Annex, Room 400, Holyoke MA 01040 by March 11, 2011. Comments may be mailed, faxed to 413-322-5611 or emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For additional information, please see the HUD Eight Step Process Analysis. March 11, 2011 RROF/FONSI The City intends to Request the Release of Funds for Community Field from HUD. Notice of Intent to Request the Release of Funds and Finding of No Signficant Impact
Historic Holyoke Detailed information about historical development of Holyoke is available in the 1982 MHC Reconnaissance Survey Town Report.
Coming soon! The Holyoke Historic Inventory of individual property addresses will be available here. Some historic property information is 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.
Rehabilitating an historic home or property? Check out these resources!* Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation 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.
CDBG- Making in a Difference in Holyoke!
In FY2009, over five thousand people were served by Holyoke’s CDBG allocation. These included:
Over the last five years, projects funded by Community Development Block Grants have improved housing and public facilities, revitalized neighborhoods and assisted thousands through public services. In Holyoke these projects included:
Pulaski Park Playground
Pulaski Park Spray Pool- A Whale of Fun
Linden/Dwight Streets Sidewalks and Granite Curbing
Photos by Daniel Burns, Compliance Director
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| Last Updated on Friday, April 22 2011 09:29 |
