City of New Bedford to host public forums to focus on housing, annual action plan for federal funding

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The City of New Bedford’s Office of Housing & Community Development is holding two virtual public meetings this week to discuss the best use of federal funding to improve the quality of life for New Bedford residents. The public meetings will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11 and Wednesday, Jan. 12. Both meetings will be conducted via Zoom:

Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81589048038?pwd=UFJRbWhobFJxL3ZPckt1bTF4SlltQT09
Meeting ID: 815 8904 8038 Passcode: 320337

Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87956484822?pwd=OHFmajRmZ2crOHd5c1ZkOVMrVkZpZz09
Meeting ID: 879 5648 4822 Passcode: 464507

These public meetings are hosted by the City and designed to gather critical input from New Bedford residents. The public input will help the City formulate a strategic plan for using federal funding to address needs and priorities in housing, public facilities, public infrastructure, parks and playgrounds, community services, homelessness resources, and economic development. Input from the community is integral in shaping the priorities of these federal programs.

The City of New Bedford anticipates receiving about $2.7 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, $975,000 through the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and $230,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding to serve low- and moderate-income residents and neighborhoods in Fiscal Year 2022, which runs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

The public meetings will include presentations by the City staff, an assessment of community needs and priorities, and a review the City’s recent Housing and Community Development accomplishments.

The meetings will be an excellent opportunity for citizens to voice their opinions about how the City can best use its federal money to improve the quality of life in New Bedford and to suggest specific additions or improvements to facilities and services in its neighborhoods. Anyone who intends on applying for funding is strongly encouraged to attend and participate in one of these two public forums.

The Office of Housing & Community Development will also conduct two virtually based RFP Workshops on Friday, Jan. 14, at 9 a.m. for CDBG funds and at 10 a.m. for ESG funds, to assist potential applicants with the Request for Proposal process and provide technical assistance.

People interested in attending one or both of these workshops are asked to contact the Office of Housing & Community Development no later than Thursday, Jan. 13, to receive the necessary Zoom access information.

Questions regarding the public meetings or the Annual Action Plan process may be directed to Jennifer Clarke, Deputy Director of Community Development, at (508) 979-1500 or by email at jennifer.clarke@newbedford-ma.gov .

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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