WESTFIELD—The city’s Office of Community Development is seeking public input on how residents would like to see how certain federal grant funding is used later this year and next year.
The Office of Community Development will be holding two public hearings to try and gather public input on the use of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, a federally-funded program that can be used to benefit low- and moderate-income areas. Director of Community Development Peter Miller and his office will utilize the suggestions to create its 2018-2019 Action Plan for use of over $340,000 in expected funds.
Peter J. Miller, Director of Community Development for the City of Westfield. (Photo by Amy Porter)
“We’re beginning, this is the first step in the Action Plan. Basically, the start of our budget process,” Miller said.
The public hearings are expected to be held Jan. 16, both in room 315 at City Hall on Court Street, with one hearing at 11 a.m. and another at 6 p.m. Only activities that are CDBG-eligible will be considered for the process.
A full list of activities can be found on the City of Westfield website, but among the activities listed are as follows:
-Economic development activities
-Public services such as employment assistance, substance abuse, crime prevention and others
-Housing rehabilitation
-Homeowner assistance
Among the activities that were funded this past year, according to Miller, included the Noble Avenue sidewalk project, business façade improvements, Whitney Playground, as well as funding several public agencies.
Miller said that the program is still operating under a five-year plan. The program began in 2015, though there were concerns entering this year.
The funding was previously uncertain for this coming year, following the election of President Donald Trump and a possible budget cut to Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which oversees the CDBG funding.
However, Miller said that funding is expected and plans can move forward.
“We’re confident that the program, after much discussion in Washington, that the program will continue,” Miller said. “Congress has been supportive on both sides.”
Miller said that they are anticipating “level funding” from last year, which could total about $345,000.
