Montgomery County, PA

MONTGOMERY COUNTY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL CDBG and HOUSING FUNDS

The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Development is accepting applications for Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and the Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG). Municipalities, local nonprofit agencies, Community Housing Development Organization's (CHDO) and housing developers are all welcome to apply to these programs along with funding from the Montgomery County Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). 

The County is in the process of developing the Consolidated Annual Action Plan for the program year Oct. 1, 2004 to Sept. 30, 2005.  The overall goal of this annual plan is to document the community planning and development needs in the municipalities and implement programs that result in the development of viable urban communities.  This is to be achieved by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate-income persons.  The Consolidated Annual Action Plan requires the County to state its plan to pursue the goals established in the Five-Year Consolidated Plan, originally adopted August 15, 2000, for all the community planning and development programs, as well as for housing programs.  The County expects this year's allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to be approximately $6.19 million.  The deadline for receipt of all proposals is Thursday April 15, 2004.   

The FY'2004 CDBG (Approx. $4.445 Million) Program entitlement may include but is not limited to the following activities:

1)   Acquisition of real property in whole or in part by the sub-recipient for any public purpose, subject to program limitations.

2)   Public Facilities and Improvements including acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or installation of;

3)   Provision of Public Services

4)   Removal of Architectural Barriers (Handicapped Accessibility)

5)   Rehabilitation Assistance - Housing purposes

6)   Economic Development 

The FY'2004 HOME (Approx. $1.586 Million) Program entitlement will be used for the following:

(1)  maintaining and increasing rental assistance provided to renter households who are cost burdened;

(2)  increasing housing opportunities for first-time homebuyers;

(3)  facilitating rehabilitation of the existing housing stock for a variety of household types; 

(4)  supporting and encouraging the provision of housing assistance and support services to the homeless, those threatened with homelessness and non-homeless persons with special needs; and

(5)  facilitating new construction of affordable housing. 

The FY'2004 ESG (Approx. $165,961) Program Grant will be used for homelessness prevention.  This includes;

1)   the renovation, substantial rehabilitation or conversion of buildings for use as an emergency shelter;

2)   Essential Services (including but not limited to) physical health, mental health, substance abuse, education or food;

3)   Homelessness prevention in the form of emergency rent, mortgage, utility or financial assistance;

4)   Operations, (including but not limited to) maintenance (including rent, but not staff), insurance, utilities and furnishings; and,

5)   Administrative costs for the activities described herein. 

Citizens are encouraged to participate in the formulation of local project proposals.  To ensure that participation, the Department of Housing and Community Development will conduct three public meetings in strategically located areas of the County.  To become involved, citizens should contact their local municipal officials to discuss the proposed use of Federal funds in their community and watch for the announcement of the local meetings in their local newspapers. 

THE LOCATION, DATE, AND TIME OF THE MEETINGS ARE: 

1. Wednesday, February 18, 2004 6:00 p. m. at the Willow Grove Annex Eastern Courthouse Annex 102 York Road (3^rd Floor Conference Room )  Willow Grove,  PA. 

2. Monday, February 23, 2004 6:00 p. m. at the Montgomery County Human Services Center 1430 DeKalb Street (Community Room) in Norristown,  PA. 

3. Monday, March 1, 2004 6:00 p.m. at Pottstown Borough Hall - 100 East High Street - Council Chambers Meeting Room - Third (3^rd) floor in Pottstown,  PA.