Announcements and Public Notices
The Office for Community Development welcomes public input and participation in its public hearings and meetings. Public hearings and meeting notices are posted here, on Facebook @HolyokeOCD and outside the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall. Check back often and feel free to attend!
Persons requesting accessibility or translation services for this document are asked to call the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development at 413-322-5610 in advance of meetings.
For all meeting and public hearing notices issued by the Office for Community Development, please select the Public Hearings tab.
Effective March 2025, the City revised the FY2025 Annual Plan Development Calendar to be aligned with delays at the federal level.
City of Holyoke Office for Community Development
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Date of Notice August 14, 2025
Name of Responsible Entity [RE] City of Holyoke, Massachusetts
Office for Community Development
Address (e.g., Street No. or P.O. Box) City Hall Annex, Room 400
Holyoke MA 01040
Telephone Number of RE 413-322-5610 zoellera@holyoke.org
The City of Holyoke Office for Community Development is reviewing an application for Community Development Block Grant funds (FY2024 CDBG Reprogramming) from the Wistariahurst Museum for repairs to the stone retaining wall at the perimeter of the property to ensure safe usage of this public facility by the general public. This notice is strictly issued to meet the regulatory requirements of HUD that must be completed prior to use of CDBG funds.
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS, AND PERSONS:
On or about August 28, 2025, the City of Holyoke will request the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of FY2024 reprogrammed Community Development Block Grant funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, for the following project:
PROJECT NAME: Wistariahurst Museum
DESCRIPTION: Stone retaining wall repairs
LOCATIONS: 238 Cabot Street, Holyoke, Hampden County, MA
ESTIMATED COST: Total Project $810,000.00
CDBG Funds $471,000.00
$339,000.00
The activity proposed is categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements or alternative. Consultations with the Massachusetts Historic Commission and Tribal representatives have been completed. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development, City Hall Annex, Room 400 where ERR can be examined and name and address of other locations where the record is available for review and may be examined or copied (for a fee) weekdays 8:30 A.M to 4:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development, City Hall Annex Room 400, Holyoke MA or by email to zoellera@holyoke.org. All comments received by 3:00 pm EST on August 27, 2025. will be considered by the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Holyoke certifies to HUD that Joshua Garcia in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfied its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Holyoke to use program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the City of Holyoke’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Holyoke; (b) the City of Holyoke has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations a 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to (but not mailed to):
U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development
Boston Regional Office – CPD Environmental Review
Boston Federal Office Building
10 Causeway Street
Boston, MA 02222 – 1092
Objections must be emailed to: CPDRROFBOS@HUD.GOV. The email address is the centralized inbox for potential objectors. Persons without email access may request assistance from the City of Holyoke Office for Community Development by calling 413-322-5610.
Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Mayor Joshua Garcia
FY2024 CAPER
City of Holyoke MA Office for Community Development
Notice of Availability of Draft FY2024 CAPER
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and Holyoke-Chicopee-Westfield HOME Consortium
Public comment period on draft FY2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) from August 29, 2025 to September 17, 2025. FY2024 CAPER is the year-end report on how the CDBG and HOME grant funds from US HUD were used by the City of Holyoke and HOME Consortium cities from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Public comment is welcome until September 17, 2025 at 4:30 pm EST. Send comments to: zoellera@holyoke.org or call: 413-322-5610 or mail to: OCD, City Hall Annex, Room 400, Holyoke MA 01040. Draft available at www.holyoke.org, on Facebook @HolyokeOCD, in person by appointment (City Hall Annex) or will be emailed or mailed upon request. Translation or accessibility service upon request with five-day notice.
FY2025 CDBG Applications
April 2025 Update- HUD has not released the FY2025 CDBG or HOME allocations.
FY2025 CDBG Applications are due by 1:00 pm EST on Friday January 17, 2025.
All Application Materials can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1am_tqixtYGAfYvY4vrjpgCsNEyTPu6gu?usp=drive_link
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1:00 pm EST on Friday January 17, 2025
**No extensions or exceptions will be granted.**
Activities or programs that have not been previously funded with CDBG should be reviewed with OCD staff prior to submitting an application to ensure HUD eligibility. Please note that the FFY2025 Applications have been revised from previous versions. Application forms from previous years will not be accepted.
Accessing CDBG Funds Workshop
October 16, 2024
12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Virtual
Are you a new leader or development director of a non-profit or other agency in Holyoke? Is your non-profit or faith based organization interested in applying for Community Development Block Grant funds?
Join this free virtual workshop to learn the nuts and bolts of applying for Federal grants from the City of Holyoke. Workshop will be recorded and Spanish captions will be provided.
Wednesday, October 16 · 12:00 – 1:00pm
Time zone: America/New_York
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/sis-nepq-kom
Or dial: (US) +1 513-760-6910 PIN: 874 903 825#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/sis-nepq-kom?pin=6519555645371
City of Holyoke in conjunction with
Holyoke-Chicopee-Westfield Consortium
CDBG/HOME Programs
FY2025-2029 Community Needs and Priorities Public Hearing Notice
The City of Holyoke, lead city for Holyoke-Chicopee-Westfield Consortium, will conduct a public hearing to gather community input on the following topics:
(1) introduction to the development of the FFY2025-2029 Five Year Consolidated Plan and FFY2025 Annual Plan; and
(2) solicit comments on annual housing and community development needs and priorities like public services related to food access, child care, homelessness, mental health and addiction services, legal services; public facilities like parks; public infrastructure like sidewalks and sewer; and economic development in preparation of the FFY2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and the FFY2025 Annual Plan for submittal to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Additional information can be obtained from the Office for Community Development, Room 400, City Hall Annex, Holyoke, MA or by calling 413-322-5610 or online at www.holyoke.org. Comments and testimony may be provided at the hearing, by calling and speaking with a staff member, by email to zoellera@holyoke.org or by mailing comments to the address above for receipt by November 28, 2024.
5:00 pm on Wednesday October 16, 2024
In person- Conference Room- City Hall (Old Tax Collector’s Office- 1st Floor)
536 Dwight Street, Holyoke
Language translation services and accessibility services are available for all meetings upon request at least five business days prior to the meeting date by calling 413-322-5610. Este aviso describe reuniones públicas para discutir las necesidades de desarrollo comunitario en la ciudad de Holyoke.
Los servicios de traducción de idiomas y los servicios de accesibilidad están disponibles para todas las reuniones que lo soliciten al menos cinco días hábiles antes de la fecha de la reunión al 413-322-5610.
Notice of Availability of Draft FY2023 CAPER- Posted August 2, 2024
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and Holyoke-Chicopee-Westfield HOME Consortium
Public comment period on draft FY2023 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) from August 23, 2024 to September 12, 2024. FY2023 CAPER is the year-end report on how the CDBG and HOME grant funds from US HUD were used by the City of Holyoke and HOME Consortium cities from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Public comment is welcome until September 12, 2024 at 4:30 pm EST. Send comments to: zoellera@holyoke.org or call: 413-322-5610 or mail to: OCD, City Hall Annex, Room 400, Holyoke MA 01040. Draft available at www.holyoke.org, on Facebook @HolyokeOCD, in person by appointment (City Hall Annex, Room 400) or will be emailed or mailed upon request. Translation or accessibility service upon request with five-day notice.
Request for Release of Funds and Finding of No Significant Impact- April 29, 2024
South Holyoke Homes Phases 2A,B,C and Phase 3 (2 different env. reviews)
Request for Release of Funds and Finding of No Significant Impact
Library Commons II Environmental Review Public Notice- April 19, 2024
City of Holyoke Office for Community Development
Draft FY2024 Annual Action Plan
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Holyoke-Chicopee-Westfield HOME Consortium (HOME)
Public hearing, review and comment of the draft prior to submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development on how the City of Holyoke and the Consortium intend to allocate Federal funds.
Public Hearing on Wed. April 10, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
City Hall Annex, 4th Floor Conference Room, 20 Korean Veterans Plaza, Holyoke MA
Public comment on the draft is welcome until April 30, 2024 at 4:30pm EST.
Send comments to zoellera@holyoke.ma.us or call 413-322-5610.
Draft available at www.holyoke.org, on Facebook @HolyokeOCD, in person by appointment, or will be emailed upon request starting March 27, 2024. Translation or accessibility services upon request.
Development of the FY2024 Annual Plan for submittal to HUD is underway. The FY2024 Annual Plan Schedule is the one stop for all meetings and opportunities to participate in the City's CDBG/HOME grant application to HUD.
The FY2024 CDBG Proposals have been released for review by the Mayor, City Council, and the Citizens Advisory Committee.
2024 is the 50th Anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant Program!
Watch for National Community Development Week highlights from April 1-5, 2024!
#CDWeek2024
The City of Chicopee’s Office of Community Development will once again sponsor a series of rental property owner sessions. The sessions will be held on three consecutive Wednesday evenings, April 17th, April 24th, and May 1st.
The workshops will cover:
Workshop 1. The Rules of the Game
Topics: Finding the right tenant: Advertising Your Property; Applications and Screening, and Rental Agreements vs. leases; and Fair Housing Do’s and Don’ts.
Workshop 2. Avoiding Code Problems.
Topics: The Implied Warranty of Habitability. Complying with the recently revised State Sanitary Code, other building codes; Massachusetts lead paint requirements and the federal Repair, Renovation and Painting (RRP) requirements; and the Importance of Inspections and Documenting Conditions (before and during the tenancy).
Workshop 3. Rights, Responsibilities and Evictions.
Topics: Mutual Expectations and Requirements; Strategies for Building a Successful Landlord-Tenant Relationship; and the Changing Face of the Eviction Process
The sessions are free to Holyoke property owners. You need not attend all three sessions, but we strongly recommend that you pre-register for the dates you wish to attend. To register call Chicopee the Office of Community Development at 413-594-1490 or electronically to jdias@chicopeema.gov.
