Community Development

Each year, the City of Northampton receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In accordance with HUD regulations, CDBG funds must be awarded primarily to projects, programs, and services that improve the lives of the City's low- and moderate- income residents (defined as individuals or families whose annual income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income as determined by HUD). A CDBG-funded activity must also meet at least one of the following CDBG program goals:

1. Provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing
2. Provide a suitable living environment
3. Expand economic opportunities

In order to access CDBG funds, the City is required to submit an Annual Action Plan to HUD which includes, but is not limited to, the following: a citizen participation plan; a description of local service providers and City departments consulted for the plan; identification of the City's priority housing, economic, and community needs; and a list of activities ('the plan') to address the identified needs.

Additionally, every five years the City must submit a Five-Year Consolidated Plan to HUD. The Consolidated Plan includes a housing and homelessness needs assessment, a housing market analysis, and a strategic plan whereby the City identifies its priority needs and how they will be addressed by CDBG funds over a five-year period. Activities undertaken in an Annual Action Plan must address the priority needs identified in the Five Year Consolidated Plan. Copies of these plans and other CDBG resources are provided in the links below.