Public Hearing discusses annual plan for $650K CDBG funding

By Barbara Taormina

The City’s Department of Planning and Community Development has been putting together another annual plan to fund programs and services to benefit the city’s low-and moderate-income residents with roughly $650,000 from the U.S. Dept. Of Housing and Urban Development.

Danielle Osterman, program manager for the department, led a brief public hearing this week that focused on the city’s priorities for the federal funding which continue to align with Revere’s five-year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program plan.

Economic Development is a priority and planners have earmarked $200,000 for small business loans and assistance. Last year, $165,000 was used to launch four local businesses.

Physical development and improvements in neighborhoods that includes park makeovers, complete street projects and infrastructure will see $800,000 in funding. Osterman stressed that funding was only available for projects in neighborhoods where 51 percent of the residents are low-to-moderate income.

Last year’s grant covered the repaying of Pamona Street and will fund the reconstruction of Broadway at Page Street. Osterman said that project goes out for bid next week.

Public Services are covered by the grant but limited to 15 percent of the total. Last year, Mystic Valley Elder Services which provided meals to 97 Revere seniors and Housing Families supported 107 residents with legal services related to housing. The plan for this round of funding places a strong emphasis on affordable housing.

The CDBG plan is available on the city’s website and at the Planning and Community Development office.

Residents have until May 3 to submit comments on the plan.