Community Development Block Grant
West Hartford will submit 2011 to 2012 Annual Action Plan to HUD
The Town of West Hartford is preparing to submit its 2011 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan (AAP). This plan includes the allocation and prioritization of federal funds to be used for housing and community development programs over a one-year period from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. On or about May 20, 2011 this plan will be submitted for approval to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The AAP includes specifically defines the programs and activities to be funded by West Hartford’s 2011 to 2012 CDBG allocation of $1,202,058. Activities and programs currently approved include: Code Enforcement, Housing Rehabilitation, CDBG Program Administration, Public Services and Public Facility Improvements.
Based on passage of a Federal Budget in Washington, DC it is possible the amount of CDBG funding made available to West Hartford will be reduced. If this occurs West Hartford will modify its 2011 to 2012 AAP accordingly. Further, if such modifications are substantial a public hearing will be held during which citizens can learn about and make public comment on the proposed changes.
A Citizen Summary of the Annual Action Plan is shown below along with a listing of West Hartford’s CDBG budget for each of the previous two years. During the next 30 days individuals can make public comment on the AAP by contacting Edward Sanady, Department of Human Services, at (860) 561-7565; e-mail: ed@westhartford.org.
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Town of West Hartford Community Development Block Grant
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2011 to 2012 PROPOSED Budget
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Adopted for
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Adopted for
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Proposed for
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Program - Activity Title
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2009 to 2010
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2010 to 2011
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2011 to 2012
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Volunteer and Geriatric Social Services
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$62,049.00
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$63,786.00
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$63,786.00
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Hillcrest Avenue Neighborhood Outreach Center (HANOC)
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$103,658.00
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$115,586.00
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$115,586.00
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CD Administration
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$210,832.00
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$231,015.00
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$231,015.00
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Greater Hartford Legal Aid
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$7,000.00
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$7,000.00
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$7,000.00
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Housing Education Resource Center
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$3,000.00
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$3,000.00
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$3,000.00
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Housing Rehab -grants & loans
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$558,299.00
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$275,000.00
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$275,000.00
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Housing Rehab Administration
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$252,147.00
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$256,671.00
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$256,671.00
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Health Code Enforcement (WHBHD)
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$100,000.00
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$100,000.00
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$100,000.00
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Building Code Enforcement
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$50,000.00
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$50,000.00
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$50,000.00
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Public & Private Partnerships
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$50,000.00
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$100,000.00
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$100,000.00
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TOTALS
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$1,396,985.00
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$1,202,058.00
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$1,202,058.00
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West Hartford to Receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Spring 2011
Town of West Hartford anticipates the receipt approximately $1,202,058.00 in Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds will be appropriated within West Hartford’s FY 2011-2012 budget. All CDBG activities must provide a benefit principally to low-mod income persons.
During March & April 2011 the West Hartford Town Council will host several meetings and hearings during which interested parties will have the opportunity to share their viewpoints on the use and appropriation of West Hartford’s 2011 to 2012 Community Development Block Grant funds. Notice of these events will be posted by the West Hartford Town Clerk’s office.
Individuals with a disability or persons needing special assistance in order to participate in the hearing process or those seeking additional information should contact Edward Sanady in West Hartford’s Department of Human & Leisure Services at 561-7565.
Overview of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides federal grant funding to state and local governments. The program provides these annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing:
- decent housing
- a suitable living environment
- expanding economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate income persons.
West Hartford is defined by HUD as a CDBG “entitlement” community. As such, based on the size and the age of its housing stock, West Hartford receives a formula-based grant to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services. The table below indicates the amounts of these grants for the past ten years.
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Program
Year
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HUD/CDBG
Entitlement
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2000 to 2001
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$1,337,000
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2001 to 2002
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$1,322,000
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2002 to 2003
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$1,244,000
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2003 to 2004
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$1,270,000
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2004 to 2005
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$1,306,000
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2005 to 2006
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$1,234,582
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2006 to 2007
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$1,115,814
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2007 to 2008
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$1,117,178
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2008 to 2009
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$1,083,518
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2008 to 2009
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$1,083,518
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2009 to 2010
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$1,102,902
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As an Entitlement community, West Hartford develops its own programs and funding priorities. HUD requires that grantees give maximum feasible priority to activities which benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Grantees may also carry out activities which aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight. Additionally, grantees may fund activities when the grantee certifies that the activities meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs. CDBG funds may not be used for activities which do not meet these broad national objectives.
On June 5, 2009 West Hartford submitted to HUD a substantial amendment to its 2005 to 2009 Five-Year Consolidated Plan and to its 2008 to 2009 Annual Action Plan. This amendment outlined West Hartford’s planned use for the additional $294,161.00 in CDBG-R funding. Click here to view the CDBG-R Substantial Amendment American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
CDBG Eligible Activities
CDBG funds may be used for activities which include, but are not limited to:
- acquisition of real property;
- relocation and demolition;
- rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures;
- construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood centers, and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes;
- public services, within certain limits;
- activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources; and
- provision of assistance to profit-motivated businesses to carry out economic development and job creation/retention activities.
Activities Ineligible for CDBG Funding
Generally, the following types of activities are ineligible:
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acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of buildings for the general conduct of government;
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political activities;
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certain income payments; and
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construction of new housing by units of general local government.
HUD Administrative Requirements
To receive its annual CDBG entitlement grant, a grantee must develop and submit to HUD its Five-Year Consolidated Plan; a jurisdiction's comprehensive planning document and application for CDBG funding. A Five-Year Consolidated Plan must identify the jurisdiction’s goals for housing programs, community development activities and economic development activities. Click here to view West Hartford's 2005 Consolidated Plan.
The goals will serve as the criteria against which HUD will evaluate a jurisdiction's Plan and its performance under the Plan. Also, the Consolidated Plan must include several required certifications, including that not less than 70% of the CDBG funds received, over a one, two or three year period specified by the grantee, will be used for activities that benefit low and moderate income persons, and that the grantee will affirmatively further fair housing. Click here to view West Hartford’s 2005 to 2009 Housing and Community Development Strategic Plan Measurable Goals.
Citizen Participation
A grantee must develop and follow a detailed plan which provides for, and encourages, citizen participation and which emphasizes participation by persons of low- or moderate-income, particularly residents of predominantly low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, slum or blighted areas, and areas in which the grantee proposes to use CDBG funds. The plan must:
- provide citizens with reasonable and timely access to local meetings, information, and records related to the grantee's proposed and actual use of funds;
- provide for public hearings to obtain citizen views and to respond to proposals and questions at all stages of the community development program, including at least the development of needs, the review of proposed activities, and review of program performance;
- provide for timely written answers to written complaints and grievances;
- and identify how the needs of non-English speaking residents will be met in the case of public hearings where a significant number of non-English speaking residents can be reasonably expected to participate.
For more information: If you are an interested citizen, contact your West Hartford’s Department of Human and Leisure Services; 860-561-7565.
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