5.6.2020 Community Development Agency - Public Hearing

On May 6, 2020, Michael Dion, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Fall River Community Development Agency (FRCDA), conducted a public hearing on proposed substantial amendments to the 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan, the 2019 Annual Action Plan, and the FRCDA Citizen Participation Plan. The amendments detail the planned allocation of CARES Act federal relief funds provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prepare, prevent, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency received $1,723,628 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $866,031 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds, with plans to submit the amendment to HUD on or about May 14, 2020.

Under CDBG funding, $1,228,903 was budgeted for a small and medium business stabilization program administered by Jobs for Fall River, Inc., providing loans and grants to support job creation and retention. Additionally, $150,000 was dedicated to a meals distribution program for elderly, disabled, and low-income residents affected by COVID-19, with $344,725 allocated for program administration. The ESG allocation targeted homelessness support, including $50,000 for renovations at Solomon's Porch at 371 Bay Street to establish an auxiliary COVID-19 shelter, $130,000 for shelter operations at the First Step Inn and Our Sister's Place, $20,000 for motel vouchers at the Capri Motel in Dartmouth as a last resort, $116,000 for a street outreach program, $400,000 for homeless prevention, $53,428 for rapid rehousing administered by Catholic Social Services, $10,000 for HMIS data systems, and $86,603 for grant administration.

Dion noted that a public notice had been published in the Fall River Herald News and O Jornal on May 4, 2020, and announced that public comments would be accepted through May 11, 2020, via mail, email, or telephone before the final submission to HUD.

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