New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
New Bedford Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD) is conducting a consolidated planning process which will serve as the framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing and community development priorities for federal funding New Bedford will receive over the next five years. To engage the public, OHCD has made available a comprehensive survey and is seeking public input through January 15, 2015.
When completed, the Five-Year Consolidated Plan will identify how New Bedford would like to spend federal dollars it will receive over the next five years to help low and moderate income individuals, households and families. Each year, the City of New Bedford receives federal funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address various priorities.
The investment of CDBG, HOME, and ESG funds in New Bedford is guided by the Five-Year Consolidated Plan that identifies housing, community, and economic development needs, the resources available, and strategies to address identified needs.
In order to encourage and promote the participation of New Bedford residents, community stakeholders, and service providers in the development of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan, as well as each One-Year Action Plan, the city will utilize a comprehensive community needs assessment survey, in addition to community and stakeholder meetings. The survey also allows residents to identify, and prioritize the most important needs in their neighborhoods and the city as a whole.
The Five-Year Consolidated Plan survey is translated into English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and will be made available in both paper and online versions on the city’s Office of Housing & Community homepage at http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/community-development/ under the Five-Year Consolidated Plan link. Paper versions of the surveys will be made available at several library branches including the Main Library located downtown, the Howland Green Branch, and the Wilks Branch. In addition, surveys will be available at City Hall located at 133 William Street, and the Office of Housing & Community Development located at 608 Pleasant Street. Surveys will also be made available at various events throughout the city including health fairs, community clean-ups, and at other community meetings.
Anyone with questions about the survey or the Five-Year Consolidated Plan may contact Patrick Sullivan, Director, Office of Housing & Community Development at (508) 979-1500 or by email: patrick.sullivan@newbedford-ma.gov.
