By CHRISTIAN MAITRE
Waltham Times Contributing Writer
Attendance has been sparse at the Planning Department’s public meetings that will determine how funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will be allocated.
The CDBG is a federally funded housing and community development program. According to federal regulations, the grant must benefit moderate- to low-income individuals.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards municipalities CDBG funds based on their poverty rate, population and needs identified by the general public.
The Planning Department is required to release an annual public evaluation of their performance in providing assistance with the grant.
According to the city’s CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report for the 2023-2024 program year, the grant has primarily funded projects in Waltham’s “Southern Neighborhood District,” colloquially known as the South Side.
This is due to past U.S. Census data showing that 55% of residents on the South Side identified as moderate to low income and that the neighborhood was home to 72% of the city’s subsidized housing units.
CDBG funds have been used on a variety of projects. The Planning Department acts as a grant manager, allowing nonprofits and local government agencies to apply for and receive the grant money.
For example, the Waltham-based nonprofit Work, Community, Independence received $61,850 in CDBG funds to expand its accessible ramp last year.
The Chesterbrook Learning Center and Prospect Hill Community Foundation received $9,000 to provide educational programs to children living in properties managed by the Waltham Housing Authority.
Additionally, $220,000 of last fiscal year’s fund was used to repay a loan given to the city by HUD for the creation of a park at the former Woerd Avenue landfill.
Low turnout
To apply for a CDBG, municipalities must present the government with a five-year plan that details how the funding will be used, and that plan must be informed by public feedback.
The Planning Department’s Jan. 2 meeting, held at Government Center, was an attempt to collect this feedback, but only four people attended, and only two attended a virtual meeting held later that day, at 3 p.m.
According to the principal planner, Frank Nakashian, the department released an online survey that has recorded around 85 responses so far. (Click here for English or Spanish versions of the survey.
Nakashian said there were common themes within the survey responses, with many citing a need for more green spaces in the city as well as making the city more pedestrian friendly and improving traffic safety.
Waltham received $871,572 in CDBG funds for last fiscal year, and the Planning Department expects to receive $875,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026.
HUD has not released an official deadline for the five-year consolidated plan, but the Planning Department anticipates releasing a draft in late March.
The Planning Department will release the application for interested parties to apply for CDBG funds on Jan. 9, at 3 p.m. in a public meeting in Government Center and a Zoom meeting at 10 a.m.
Applications for nonprofits are due Feb. 10.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to provide public input at the next meetings held on Jan. 9 and March 26. More information can be found here.
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