County CDBG Funding Announced

Several local communities will benefit from the county's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding allocations, passed unanimously by the Northampton County Council at its Thursday night meeting.

Wilson is slated to receive $100,000 to rehabilitate five homes owned by people with low-incomes in the coming year, and West Easton will receive $54,600 to repair an overflowing sewer.

Hellertown will get $100,000 to demolish a blighted public school building.

And in the borough of Nazareth, residents at 29 properties along Spring Street will benefit from $194,000 in storm water runoff improvements, while in Upper Nazareth Township, $311,322 is allocated to rehabilitate 15 homes owned by people with low-incomes.

Several agencies also received funding in support of county-wide programs.

The Lehigh Valley Community Land Trust plans to acquire and rehabilitate as many as four homes with the $350,000 it was allocated. Homes sold through the trust go to qualified low-income buyers and are deeded to remain permanently affordable.

New Bethany Ministries intends to assist 65 Northampton County residents with personal finance issues with the $23,000 it will receive, and North Penn Legal Services will use $30,000 of the CDBG funds to investigate fair housing complaints, as well as provide education and fair housing outreach services.

The Northampton County Department of Economic Development will receive 9.9 percent of the county CDBG funding allocation, which totals $1,624,288 for the 2011 fiscal year, to cover administrative costs.