Agenda Text
title
Grants Development Manager responding to #205206 re: grant opportunities for the proposed Office of Housing Stability.
body
Official Text
To the Honorable Board:
I hereby convey a response to Agenda Item 205206, submitted on February 22, 2018: That the Manager of Grants Development investigate grant opportunities available to the city’s proposed Office of Housing Stability.
The Grants Development office recently assisted OSPCD’s Housing Division with preparing and securing a federal grant in the amount of $1.7 million for their Somerville Lead Hazard Abatement Program. This HUD grant not only secures four staff positions in Housing, it also increases the supply of reasonably priced, safe housing for families in Somerville, thereby providing more opportunities for families to stay in Somerville. With this grant, the Housing division is aggressively relaunching the program, to ensure more publicity and utilization of services, as one element of their strategy in addressing the important city-wide priority of improving housing instability.
My office is very aware of this significant issue that municipalities throughout the Boston metro region, and nationwide, are struggling with and conducts searches for relevant funding opportunities. Even opportunities that are not an exact match for satisfying this need are considered to the fullest extent and thought about creatively to determine if there might be an entry point for the City. We are in frequent communication with Housing regarding any potential sources of funding and have had many discussions about this issue.
In addition, the Grants office supports their efforts in any way we can: In 2017, the City’s Grant Writer, Laura Haas, conducted an extensive review of their Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing document prior to submission to HUD. Providing additional support, beyond strict grant preparation assistance, ensures we are more knowledgeable about their programs and services and are better prepared when we reach the proposal development stage.
As an active community member and member of a local moms’ network, I can attest to the fact that housing instability is a significant concern to residents and families here in Somerville, and there is no easy solution. But we will continue to search for potential funding sources to further the City’s efforts in this arena.
Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Kate Hartke
Manager, Grants Development