CDA Public Hearing 1 7 2026

Tonight is January 7th, 2026.

We're at the city council chambers for our first public hearing on needs and requests for funding. Um my name is Michael Dion. I'm the executive director CFO of the Florida Community Development Agency. Um F FRCDA is responsible for administration of the US uh department of housing and urban development community planning and development programs among other grant programs on behalf of the city of Fall River. The

agency's mission is to assist local government to do the following. Achieve [clears throat] highquality locally responsive programs, make committees uh communities better places to live and work. and improve low and low moderate income residents. FRCDA has performed this function over 50 years and we began in the 1970s.

Each year, FRCDA receives approximately $10 million in federal, state, and private funds which it disperses to community agencies that provide a vast array of services and activities. F FRCA serves as a lay on between citizens, service providers, subreipients, city government, and HUD. All planning documents and efforts require public hearings and citizens input prior to completion. Tonight's public hearing is

being held to provide residents of Fall River and all interested parties with the opportunity to express their views on the following areas. Housing and community development needs, the needs of the homeless, strategies to affirmatively further fair housing, requests for funding and proposed activities, including activities related to community housing development organizations, non-housing needs, and program

performance in the city of Fall River.

[clears throat] The city of Fall Rivers consolidated plan was approved by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development on July 17th 20125.

That document identified community development, housing, and homeless needs, and a schedule of strategies to address them over a five-year period, a time frame that will conclude on June 30th 2030.

The strategies identified are implemented through annual action plans.

This consolidated plan allowed for the implementation of programming that address the needs of low and moderate income residents of the city of Fall River over the past fiscal year. The city through the F FRCDA has embarked on development of an annual action plan that will present a schedule of activities and projects to be undertaken during this second year of that five-year cycle. These projects and

activities are designed to meet and address community needs in conformance with the established five-year goals which were identified in 2025 via the following methods. We had public hearings, written testimony, stakeholder consultations, communitywide surveys, petitions, and formal requests.

Testimony statements letters requests for funding, and petitions submitted at tonight's hearing will be used in the development of the year 2 annual action plan for the program year commencing July 1, 2026.

Completed request for funding must sub be submitted to the F FRCDA no later than January 21st, 20126 by 4 p.m. Copies of the request for funding applications are available at the sign-in table at the office of the forever community development agency one government center for river mass 6th floor room 633 and are posted on the city of Fall River municipal website which is www.fall

rivermma.gov gov and on the community development section uh department page under forms. A summary of the proposed year 2 annual action plan will be published on February 25th, 2026 at the following locations. the city of F River municipal website, the city clerk's office bulletin board, and the Fall River government television local ACT cable access channel 18. Uh this year we we stopped uh uh uh advertising

in the for Herald News um because of the cost. We could we thought we could do it cheaper and we thought we could um uh save that funding for direct uh uh um services to people of Fall River. The summary describes the contents and purpose of the plan and includes a list of the locations where copies of the entire proposed plan may be examined.

The full draft plan will be made available for public review at the office of the for community development agency, the city clerk's office, the main public library, and on the city of for river municipal website. If citizens or groups request a copy of the draft plan, the FRCDA will provide a number of free copies to them. Another public hearing has been scheduled for March 11th at 2000 uh 2026 at 5:30 p.m. here

in the city council chamber to afford residents the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed year 2 annual action plan. Residents will have until March 30th, 2026 to submit comments. All statements received during this review period will be considered in the development of the city of photo of a year 2 annual action plan. A summary of the comments and re uh views received from residents of the community in

writing or orally at the public hearings and a summary of any comments or views not accepted shall be included with the final plan. Residents are also encouraged to view the city of for citizens participation plan which is published on the municipal municipal website. According to the submission timetable, copies of the plan and pertinent relatedformational materials will be submitted to the city council by

April of 2026.

The city council will consider enactment of a resolution authorizing Mayor Paul E. Coogan to file the year 2 annual action plan with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development on or about May 6th, 20126.

Year 52 of the community development block grant program, year 35 of the home investment ship partnership program, and year 40 of the emergency solutions grant are scheduled to begin July 1, 2026.

The city of Fort River anticipates receiving about $2.4 million for eligible CDBG program activities, $1,165,000 for home program activities, and $227,000 for ESG program activities. This estimation assumes the city will be level funded for the upcoming year.

Federal regulations require that citizens be provided with information concerning the amount of funds that will be available and the range of activities that may be undertaken. This and additional information was furnished in display advertisements in the following locations and are contained in the m materials provided for tonight's hearings at the signin table, the city of for municipal website, the city

clerk's office bulletin board and FRGTV local access cable uh channel 18. The format of this public hearing will be to allow participants the opportunity to express their views of the city's housing and community development needs, the needs of the homeless, strategies for furthering uh fair housing, program performance, and to submit requests for funding. Persons wishing to speak have

been asked to sign a separate speaker sheet and will be called to testify.

Each speaker should state his or her name and address and if appropriate the agency or organization they represent.

Before we begin tonight uh in the proceedings and the testimony I would like to acknowledge the following statements or requests for funding that have been received by the for community development agency. We received uh a letter from Jennifer Milrich which is the associate associate director of the forever council on aging and we also received a letter from the community housing resource board Joseph Rodri for

continued funding. So we will start the public hearing also by calling our first person to speak which is Kenneth Fiola.

He's the executive vice president and he represents the Bristol County Economic Development Consultants 139 South Main Street for River Mass.

Uh good evening. Um nice to see uh Michael and Erica again. Um I'm not I have letters here that I'm going to submit as part of uh my testimony. I won't read them verbatim because I think they are pretty self-explanatory. So, I'll be short and sweet, but I'd just like to point out a couple a couple of things if I may. [clears throat] So, as you know, we've been actually securing

my office has been securing CDBG funding uh since 1978. We're probably one of the first and the longest CDBG recipients uh throughout the the history of the uh the CDBG program itself.

um from 1978 through fiscal year 2025.

Uh this office has invest in invested CDBG EDA and SBA funds in distressed census tracks and in projects that have created and retained more than 25 20,000 quantifiable jobs for low and moderate income eligible individuals. Uh in addition throughout this time frame, Jobs has also been able to provide more than $86 million in lowterest financing to more than 800 for businesses from

CDBG and other loaning grant programs, which has helped to leverage more than 3 million in private sector investments.

So the um importance of the CDBG funding in context with the other funding that we've secured throughout this time period is very very helpful. And even though the funding has diminished over the years, I can remember when CDBJ allocations were much higher than they currently are now, um they do certainly play an important overall role within the economic development uh sector in

allowing us to provide job opportunities for lower moderate income individuals.

uh these job opportunities have in fact helped to grow businesses have allowed businesses to uh expand to locate and to relocate and has generated more than $3.75 million annually in property taxes and excise taxes to the city. So having said that we do intend to be supply uh um submitting the application uh at the appropriate deadline which I believe is the 21st is that correct?

Yeah. So, we will be filing a complete application uh before then. Uh but I'd just like to once again let you know that we'll you know we'll be doing that and also thank you for your you know your your assistance throughout the years and moving the economic development agenda forward. Thank you very much.

Thanks Ken. Thank you so much. Um Grace Gerland representing Greater Fall River Recreation Committee Inc. She's the executive director 45 Rock Street.

Thank you.

Try to be brief.

No problem.

Um, I'm just going to read uh the letter that I just presented to you.

Greater Fall River Recreation Respectfully requests continued CDBG funds to support programs that have served the city of Fall River for more than 50 years. Our organization remains committed to improving quality of life for residents through accessible recreational, educational, and outreach services that prime primarily benefit low to moderate income households.

During the mo the most recent program year, recreation served 1,690 individuals with 90% meeting HUD's lowinccome guidelines. We also provided 30 special events annually and 100 direct service programs. These outcomes demonstrate our strong alignment with CDBG national objectives and our ongoing focus on servicing residents with the greatest need.

Youth development is a central priority of our work. Through targeted outreach, we serve nearly 250 atrisisk youth, offering safe spaces, mentorship, and structured programming that pro promote positive development and reduce risk factors.

Our outreach program is inclusive and provides affirming support for LGBTQ youth, ensuring that all young people feel safe, supported, and connected in response to persistent food insecurity.

Recreation provided over 54,000 meals to youth ages 18 and under, supporting the health, stability, and academic success of children and adolesccents across the city. In addition, our organization's food pantry has served over 500 individuals within the past year.

CDBG funding is critical to sustain these services. Continued investment with will allow recreation to maintain essential programs, meet increasing community demand, and continue serving lowincome residents and vulnerable youth with a proven record of responsible stewardship, strong community partnerships, and measurable outcomes.

Recreation MA remains a reliable and effective community partner. We respectfully ask you, Mr. Dion to please continue your support CDBG funding so we may carry forward our mission and longstanding service to the Fall River community. Again, thank you Mr. Dion and Mayor Coogan for your continued support and your consideration.

Thanks.

Thank you, Grace.

Have a great night.

You too. I appreciate it. Thank you. I think I'm going to say this next name wrong, but Heather Jery, who is represents the women's center, New Bedford Women's Center, who is the finance and administration director. All right, get that right.

Good.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So, as you said, my name is Heather Jervy. I'm the finance and administrations director for the New Bedford Women's Center located at 174 Union Street in New Bedford. The New Bedford Women's Center is a nonprofit domestic violent sexual assault agency um that services the South Coast region.

For nearly 53 years, the Women's Center has supported individuals in families and children through comprehensive traumainformed services including counseling through therapy count and counseling advocacy, court advocacy, housing assistance, and emergency shelter services. The Women's Center currently operates three confidential emergency shelters located in New Bedford and in Fall River, as well as 10

confidential apartment units across both cities. During FY25, the Women's Center provided services to a total of 1,137 participants, including 118 individuals who resided in our three shelters. One of our confidential emergency domestic violent shelter is located in the city of Fall River and has been in operation for well over 20 years and the city of Fall River has graciously supported

through ESG funds for over 13 years for that program. We will be applying for ESG and CDBG funds this year to support the continued operations and services at our Fall Riverville confidential location. During FY25 and 26, the Fall River shelter housed 15 individuals and families and this number is expected to continue to increase as the need for this population is um for emergency services. Uh the need is expected to

increase for emergency shelter and supportive services rises. Funding from the Fall River Community Devel Development Agency plays a vital role in helping our survivors and their families remain in a safe and secure environment as they begin their healing and recovery journey. We are grateful for the continued partnership and support that makes this critical work possible and thank you for your consideration.

Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it.

You guys have a great night.

Awesome. You too.

Uh, next person is Sheila Chassis who is representing Catholic Charities.

She is um, director of housing and she's got a mask and she's making me nervous.

I have to travel this weekend and try to prevent getting sick, but I will take it down.

No problem.

We're far apart. Good evening. Um, as Mike said, Sheila Chasse with Catholic Charities of Fall River. As many of you know, um we are a nonprofit organization that has been serving the community for several several years. We have many departments within our agency that offer community services and supportive services to the community and throughout Bristol County. Um we're submitting this

request to continue to administer our HUD's emergency solutions grant funds awarded through the um FRC CDA. Um, ESG funds specifically targets low-income households within the community that are enduring a housing crisis or uh, desperate need as we all see these days.

Um, it alleviates the housing burden for the cohort since they're the most vulnerable within our city. Um, this current fiscal year we've received an on average about 11 calls regarding um, receiving rental assistance within the community. We all we have also served 21 households with ESG funding um since July of 2025 which is makes a major impact and these are not just households

that are receiving a subsidy already.

These are people hardworking people that are out there in the community struggling um that have a lower income that often requires a two-income household to support a rental burden. Um we're honored to work with the Fall River CDA and all of the um supporting service providers within Fall River. Um and we look forward to carrying out the mutual mission to develop a viable urban community by providing decent housing

and by expanding economic opportunities um principal for its low and moderate income families and residents. And we hope to continue this relationship.

Thank you, Sheila.

You're welcome.

We feel the same. you you guys run a great program over there and uh the partnership is wonderful. We love it.

Thank you. Thank you. Um Rosa Medeiros representing Stepping Stone and I'm probably going to get this title wrong, but homeless coordinator, but I director of homeless programs.

So, my name now is Rosa Tavar.

Oh, I'm sorry.

And I'm the director of homeless services. I have been doing that for 28 years in this community um through Stepping Stone Incorporated. Um and we've been providing a lot of homeless services, but I'm here to represent the um homeless shelter and the ESG funding that we've received continuously um since we've started the shelter with that wonderful um initial collaboration of just trying to get it done in 2003.

And it's all it's been a pleasure to to work with the community, to work with CDA, and to work with um the homeless individuals that um are struggling in this community.

In those 28 years, I don't think I've ever experienced um the numbers that we're seeing today. It's very disheartening because we've for all these years we've worked so hard and looking at the gaps, building resources, you know, uh everything that we've put together in the city and all the wonderful organizations like um Catholic Charities, Stepping Stone, um we had we had so many different programs

um you know, the women's center, family resource center, the cherub um we've all come together and we've created some wonderful wonderful things in this community and it's just not enough and it's not any of our faults. You know, the numbers um are growing across the theii all of the world especially in the United States and I want to first thank you um and thank everybody in the community that's come

together to always fight the good fight.

Um, this community has always, in my opinion, uh, put together a plan um, to combat what was what's coming and what's coming is just incredible. I've never seen it, like I said. Um, and it's really disheartening because there is never enough that we can do. And I'm here to just request level funding. I we're always trying to look for ways to find funding to be able to provide whatever is needed each year

and all that I'm here for with the CSG funding is asking for level of funding.

I know there's very little received and there is so much need in this community and um I wanted also to note that we have been at 50 beds since last November and we're going to continue to do that because it's our commitment to do that and um it's always been a goal to get to 50 when we move that shelter down to that location on at in 2016.

So basically that's all I want to say.

We've got a lot to fa to do. Um and we're going to continue doing it. This winter has been a wonderful experience.

We have um a lot of people, a lot of homeless individuals that we all have to work with as a community to do the best we can for them. and you know from having the 50 and being a little scared as to be ready to go to the winter because we always had the extra 20 beds to open up to the street homeless and we didn't have those and I was concerned but we've always had to

uh you know pastor Tom is at it again and um we're doing all the intakes for for that process. We uh the first step in does the intakes, processes everyone, gets them in and then you know keeps filling the beds and um we're over there and then having um you know the conference center and working together to put more people in on the winter has been a real pleasure. In addition to

that, it gives us the opportunity to have the individuals come right over to the shelter and connect to housing services. So, we're getting them connected to case managers much quicker so they can get housed. And um that whole little continuum seems to to be working. We also um have managed um to try to put together another response for the winter with motel rooms and and a lot of us are doing that. So,

uh, we have a lot of good resources and it's the winter's going really well and I just want to thank everybody for, um, everybody coming together and working together and that is really meaningful to me and I wanted to thank you for that.

Yeah, I want to say thank you too. I want to thank Stepping Stone because um, uh, a lot of work has gone into our homeless programs in the city. Um we we you know Stepping Stone has stepped up and they've gone to 50 beds all year around. Um I I asked the other day, we've opened up the cold weather shelter eight times so far this this winter. Um which which brought in uh about

I want to say the last count was 41 people at our last last night that was held. Um so I mean that would be 40 40ome people that would have slept out in the cold plus the 25 plus the 50. It's unbelievable what's happening in the city of Fora. I just wish people would know more about it. We've opened up the tomato center there.

And I have 56 people in motel. Like those are more numbers.

It's unbelievable uh what's happening. I mean um and I just want to say thank you because it's not one person. It's not one organization. It's everybody. It's Catholic Charities. It's you guys. It's the Tomo Center. I mean, it's it's it's it's really um been a been it's been a tough winter so far, but I think with the collaboration that we have going on, we'll we'll survive this winter and

we'll, you know, we'll just keep going.

But I really want to thank you guys and thank everybody for for their for their uh um just standing behind the the the homeless population. It's it's incredible. Absolutely.

So, I appreciate it.

It's a good mission to have.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. And I I thought that you would have already received our proposals. The um the grant staff has sub asked me all my questions. So, it's all ready to go in um the cover letter is also there.

Yeah, we haven't received it yet, but I'm assuming we'll be receiving within the next couple days. So, I appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Um is there anybody else that would like to speak? No.

Okay. Um I want to thank everybody for coming out tonight. Uh this is the end of our public hearing again. Um we're going to have another public hearing in March, I believe March 11th. And again um your uh RFFS are due January what? 20 21st. So um uh please get those in. And uh I thank you for your attendance tonight and this will close out our public hearing. Thank you.