The funding is given to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which in turn distributes it to eligible communities for qualifying programs.
AMHERST — The Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee is holding a public hearing Jan. 10 for those with non-social service projects who are seeking federal funding.
Although the town has lost mini-entitlement status for 2013, it is eligible for at least half of its prior $900,000 grant in transitional funding.
And despite what could be a cut, the town must still abide by the funding formula because it is federal grant program, said Town manager John P. Musante. He recently asked state officials that administer the grant if that could change.
With the formula the same, the town can seek 20 percent of whatever it is allotted for social service programs and about 60 percent for other projects. The remaining percentage covers the grant administration.
The funding is given to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which in turn distributes it to eligible communities for qualifying programs.
Nine communities including Greenfield and West Springfield are eligible for the mini entitlement grants for 2013.
Housing and community development officials said the town would receive $450,000 in transitional money in 2013 provided all of its paperwork is filed, Musante said. At the same time, he said, officials are encouraging the town to seek the full funding in the competitive block grant process.
He said once he receives the recommendations from the block grant committee, he’ll present them to the Select Board before he files the funding request.
The town must get everything in order and filed by Feb. 15.
Block grant money pays for projects that help low- and moderate-income people.
The priority for non-social service projects is to make improvements in the town’s village centers, with an emphasis on the North Amherst, Town and East Amherst centers.
The town recently completed a second phase to make Main Street barrier free with non-social service funding. Money has also been used to buy land for low-income housing.
Money from the social service funding pays to operate the town’s emergency homeless shelter among other projects.
The town was first eligible for the money in 2005. The hearing begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Bangs Community Center.
