City to Develop Community Development Block Grant Action Plan

SALEM, MA - Salem is developing its annual Action Plan that will outline priority activities for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds that Salem anticipates receiving during fiscal year 2017.

This funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, assists income-eligible households and low- to moderate-income neighborhoods through a variety of programs, services and improvements.

The FY17 Action Plan will outline Salem’s housing, economic, and community development needs and funding priorities for the period of July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. The plan will continue to put into action the goals and strategies established in the 5-Year Consolidated Plan, which was completed following an extensive public participation process in 2015.

“Last year, CDBG and HOME funds assisted 5 families to purchase their first home, renovated 4 housing units, helped 42 families with first/last rent and/or security deposits, funded 23 social service program that served over 8500 persons, issued 3 businesses loans, improved 2 business storefronts, and created 20 new jobs,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “The funds supported the Salem Main Streets Program, expanded the Teen Resource Center, assisted with the environmental clean-up of Splaine Park, helped develop 15 Ward Street into a neighborhood pocket park, planted 26 trees, replaced sidewalks in Rainbow Terrace and the Point Neighborhood, and provided matching funds for a Working Cities Challenge Project. We are fortunate to have these significant federal grants that assist persons, households, and neighborhoods most in need through the provision of community and economic development programs and neighborhood improvements.”

Salem’s residents and representatives of businesses, organizations, and agencies are invited to participate in the citizen participation process that will kick off on January 21, 2016 with a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. in the third floor conference room at 120 Washington Street.

The purpose of this hearing is to give interested persons the opportunity to comment on the housing, community, and economic development needs of Salem’s low- to moderate-income residents and on the types of activities that could be undertaken to meet those needs. In the event of a meeting cancellation due to inclement weather, this meeting will be rescheduled to January 25, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Interested parties may also provide written comment addressed to the City of Salem Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) by January 25th.

Following this hearing, the DPCD will prepare the draft Action Plan for FY17, which is expected to be available for public comment at the end of March. Copies of the draft plan will be available for viewing at the DPCD, the Salem Public Library, and the Salem Housing Authority and on www.salem.com.