City Council approves $1.76 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget for FY27

Linden Park playground ($450K), Section 108 Loan payments ($691K), Malden Skate Park renovations ($100K) top the list, with local public service program grants

By Steve Freker

The Malden City Council Tuesday evening approved a $1.76 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) package highlighted by improvements to community recreational space and funding for a number of public service programs and agencies. An ambitious project to replace the playground amenities at Linden Park, located adjacent to the Linden STEAM Academy, will receive a $450,000 grant, while $100,000 is heading to fund renovations to the Malden Skate Park on Willow Street. An additional $100,000 is going to Affordable Housing Rehab and Redevelopment, specifically for a rehabilitation program already underway, with the funds also allowed to be spent on a vacant/foreclosed property program.

Other funds allocated for infrastructure/physical improvements following the City Council approval are for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sidewalks and crosswalks improvement ($65,000). The Council also approved $281,533 for Planning, Administration and Management by various municipal departments. A total of $586,132 was allocated for Federal Section 108 Loan repayments, including Malden River Works ($100,000), General Road Improvements ($169,662), Senior Center Rehab ($221,470) and Roosevelt Park Lead Removal Project ($95,000).

Public service grants to various Malden or regional agencies/programs included: Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) ($19,500 for homeless outreach and housing for Malden residents); Asian Community Development Corporation ($11,000) (Financial Management workshops for Malden residents); Housing Families (homelessness prevention for regional communities); Just A Start ($21,500), Cambridge-based agency, Housing Stabilization and Mediation; Malden Neighborhood Basketball League ($8,500), Basketball League for High School Aged Boys; Malden Senior Center ($49,000), Malden Elderly Transportation; Malden Teen Enrichment Center ($5,500), Youth Services Program; Malden Warming Center ($20,000), regional temporary night shelter for homeless adults; Mystic Valley Elder Services ($10,000), Meals Program; Mystic Valley YMCA ($14,500), Youth Services Program; YWCA Malden ($14,500), Youth Services Program.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which is administered by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides federal funding to state and local governments for housing, infrastructure, public facilities and economic development. These funds come in the form of grants and do not have to be repaid by cities and towns that receive them.