City To Get $713,000 Community Development Funds

The City will receive $713,042 in Community Development Block Grant funds for 2016-2017. This is an increase in over $1,000 from last year's allotment. David Bachrach, Community Development Coordinator outlined his process for spending this money before the city council in March. "This federal entitlement money helps the city with various programs and public projects. We've been planning for a year and many were involved in our process. Citizens, public agencies, planning officials were all involved," Bachrach told the council.

The Community Development Office, which is part of the Planning Department, is federally funded. A Block Grant is awarded to the City of East Providence by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) yearly in which the Community Development office’s duties are to allocate these funds according to HUD Regulations after they have been presented to the City Council and approved. The City also receives program funds from previous grants for its Housing Improvement Program that help low to moderate income families in East Providence to rehabilitate their homes for a safe and healthy environment.

Bachrach outlined a process in which the City is currently soliciting proposals for the use of $713,042 of 2016- 2017 Community Development Block Grant funds. These funds will be available for programming during the fiscal year July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017. Funding categories include economic development, public facilities, affordable housing, and public services.

"All are encouraged to participate in determining how these funds are spent over the next year and the goals for the next 5 years" he said. Applications and technical assistance are available by calling David Bachrach at 401.435.7536, mailing a request to: Community Development Division, 145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914, or e-mailing dbachrach@cityofeastprov.com.

"The proposals are geared towards families, youth, seniors, just about any members of the community," said Bachrach. Bachrach said he intends to bring his proposals to the City Council meeting on April 19th. Asked about the amount of money allocated to the City, Bachrach explained that it is not a competitive grant but a formula-based entitlement fund. "For the past decade, we have seen declining funding but this is the first year we've seen an increase," said Bachrach.

Ward 4 councilman Tim Conley asked about the selection process for groups receiving money. "I have a mild concern with some agencies receiving monies in the past. Is there an evaluation process," asked Conley.

"Yes, we have an evaluative process. The RFP also asks applicants to include an evaluation process. If the RFP benefits just East Providence residents they receive more points," explained Bachrach. "I monitor the programs and services are documented. Applicants are funded based on points scored and not judgment," he said. Some of the criteria in seeking funding includes what problems or needs will this program address, an explanation of needs in numerical terms and/or as compared with other areas. Also applicants must provide demographic details of who will be served by the program. Also what income range are the persons served and what race, family type, sex, age, etc. of the people will be benefited.

All proposals must be submitted on the 2016 - 2017 Application for Funding Form as a Word document, no later than the Application Deadline of April 8, 2016 by 4:00 p.m. Those that submitted a proposal are invited to make a brief presentation of their proposal during this hearing. The Public Hearing starts a comment period, from April 20, 2016 through May 23, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. Written comments regarding the presented funding plan should be directed to David Bachrach, Community Development Division. All comments must be received by the last day of the comment period to be reviewed and considered. A copy of all comments will be included in the 1 year funding plan to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by May 25, 2016.