The City of Chelsea will secure the maximum federal block grant allocation this year, though the funding level remains considerably diminished from previous years and reflects substantial reductions imposed by the White House over the past five years.
A total of $31 million in federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) will be distributed among 38 cities and towns statewide, according to an announcement by Gov. Deval Patrick. These funds support housing rehabilitation, public service projects and local infrastructure improvements.
Chelsea’s share reaches $900,000—the maximum available award—designated for multiple community initiatives. This matches the 2012 allocation but represents a $100,000 decrease from the amounts Chelsea received in both 2010 and 2011. Nationally, the CDBG grant program has experienced cuts exceeding $1 billion since 2009.
Advocates at municipal and county government levels nationwide have voiced strong objections to the ongoing reductions affecting this program, which was established in 1974 and has gained substantial support among local communities.
Gov. Patrick nevertheless expressed appreciation toward the Obama Administration and Congress for approving the grant award.
“When we invest in infrastructure projects in our communities, we put people to work and leave a better Commonwealth for the next generation,” stated Governor Patrick. “We thank the Obama Administration and our Congressional delegation for their continued commitment to investing in our future.”
Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and distributed through the State’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the CDBG program serves as the Commonwealth’s primary tool for neighborhood revitalization. It addresses housing and public service requirements in low- and moderate-income communities throughout Massachusetts while supporting essential infrastructure. Eligible recipients are cities and towns with populations under 50,000.
Chelsea’s allocation will enable the City and its community-based partners to acquire and renovate three foreclosed units, upgrade Bosson Park, strengthen targeted code enforcement, maintain the Centro Latino citizenship program, provide ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes and sustain after-school and summer programs, according to City Manager Jay Ash.
“Each program is important and together they represent a significant commitment that we can offer to residents to improve their lives and their neighborhoods. We’re indebted to the federal government and our state officials for seeing the value of investing with us in Chelsea,” offered City Manager Jay Ash.
Recognition for Chelsea’s congressional and state delegations also came from Ash.
“To a person, they have all taken an interest in our goals for Chelsea. I’ve talked with Senators Warren and Markey about our particular needs, and Congressman Capuano continues to be an active partner in addressing issues and identifying resources to respond to those issues. We really couldn’t be better served than by them, and on the State level by Senator (Sal) DiDomenico and Representatives (Kathi-Ann) Reinstein and (Eugene) O’Flaherty),”concluded Ash.