Pittsfield CDBG Applications Exceeding Funding
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has 24 applicants for human services funding, and last year's awardees stretched their dollars as far as they could.
The Human Services Advisory Council recently outlined its process for allocating Community Development Block Grants, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Last year, 23 city programs received a total of $206,250 from Pittsfield's general fund and the CDBG Program.
Nate Joyner, Pittsfield's community development and housing program manager, reported that beneficiaries nearly doubled their impact with the last cycle of awards.
"In last year's program, under the CDBG program, there were 556 proposed beneficiaries across all the different programs," he said during the virtual meeting.
"That was what they expected to serve with the funding we allocated, and the actual beneficiaries were 993, so we see these agencies kind of stretching the dollars, serving a lot of folks, and it kind of shows there's high demand for the services being offered."
A public comment period for community members to communicate support for agencies or applications, or for broader needs within the city. Comments can be sent to the Pittsfield Community Development Office or to njoyner@cityofpittsfield.org.
The federal CDBG program supports community development activities that build strength and resilience. The Human Services Advisory Council, after presentations from applicants, provides the mayor with recommendations on how Pittsfield should allocate its human services dollars.
The first of five of Thursday nights of presentations will begin Jan. 29 and end March 5, with the exception of Feb. 19, and the commission will vote on a final number at the end of March.
Executive orders from the Trump administration have restricted language in the CDBG process, specifically around affirmative action policies and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The city had to rewrite its contract agreements to ensure they aren't afoul of the executive orders, and applicants are advised of the executive orders.
Joyner reported that there are promising indications in Washington that the HUD budget will be approved without much disruption, and said the city should be on track to issue grants in May or June.
It was announced that the panel, typically 11 members, is seeking two additional members after some resignations.
Tags: CDBG,
