CITY OF BIDDEFORD
Planning and Development Department Notice of Public Hearing
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Entitlement Program
Proposed Amendments to CDBG Year 5 Action Plan
Proposed CDBG Year 6 Action Plan
Proposed CDBG Citizens’ Participation Plan
Public Hearing
Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 5:30 PM
City Hall Second Floor Conference Room & Zoom
https://biddeford.zoom.us/j/99155675618
&
30-Day Public Comment Period
Wednesday, May 3, 2023 to Friday, June 2, 2023
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals wishing to submit comments and/or who need assistance participating in the Public Hearing should contact Jessica Wilson at 207-284-9115. Those needing assistance due to language barriers may use the same contact or fill out the translation assistance form on the City website: www.biddefordmaine.org/translation.
Please be advised that there will be a Public Hearing on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 5:30 PM, for the purpose of obtaining citizen comment regarding: (1) proposed amendments to the CDBG Year 5 Action Plan; (2) proposed CDBG Year 6 Action Plan; and (3) proposed new Citizens’ Participation Plan. This Public Hearing is pursuant to Biddeford’s participation in the program noted above. There is also a Public Comment Period that is open from Wednesday, May 3, 2023 to Friday, June 2, 2023.
The proposed amendments to the CDBG Year 5 Action Plan are: (1) add a social service activity to support the Biddeford Food Pantry; (2) add an infrastructure activity to improve public safety in community parks/gardens; (3) add acquisition of real property for the development of affordable housing; (4) add a down-payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers; and (5) expand the 2-to 4-unit Owner-Occupied Housing Rehab Program to include loans for moderate rehabilitation and energy efficiency upgrades in both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied income-eligible properties with between 2 and 7 units and grants for emergency repairs to qualified single-family homeowners. The amended document can be viewed on the Community Development page of the City’s website: www.biddefordmaine.org/2221/community-development.
The proposed CDBG Year 6 Action Plan activities and budgets:
- Acquisition / rehabilitation of real property for affordable housing development: $750,000.00
- Residential housing rehabilitation (1 to 7 units): $315,000.00
- Down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers $100,000.00
- Public facilities $151,512.11
- Public services $ 58,626.15
- Administration $ 78,168.20
Total Year 6 Annual Budget (including prior year resources): $1,453,306.46
The proposed CDBG Year 6 Action Plan document can be viewed on the Community Development page of the City’s website: www.biddefordmaine.org/2221/community-development.
The proposed CDBG Citizens’ Participation Plan can be viewed on the Community Development page of the City’s website: www.biddefordmaine.org/2221/community-development.
In addition to the website, copies of the Draft CDBG Year 6 Annual Action Plan and budget will be available for review at the Planning & Development Office located on the 2nd floor of Biddeford City Hall. Free copies are available upon request.
Provide input in writing by email to Jessica Wilson (jessica.wilson@biddefordmaine.org), Community Development Coordinator or mail to Biddeford Planning & Development, c/o Jessica Wilson, PO Box 586, Biddeford, Maine 04005. Physical mail must be received by the final day of the comment period to be considered. Questions may be answered through the same contact. Verbal comments can be provided at the Public Hearing or by calling Jessica Wilson at 207-284-9115.
