Notice is hereby given that the first of two required public hearings regarding North East Borough’s FY 2022 CDBG program will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, April 4, 2022 at the North East Borough Municipal Building, 31 West Main Street, North East, PA 16428. Items to be discussed include a brief summary of the CDBG program, a review of the Borough’s current Three Year Plan, and discussion of community development and housing needs which could potentially be addressed with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
The Borough is entitled to apply for and receive an annual allocation of CDBG funds from the PA DCED pursuant to PA Act 179 of 1984 and since 1985 has received approximately $3.7 million in CDBG funding.
The Borough has not been informed as to the amount of its FY 2022 allocation nor the deadline to submit its funding request to DCED, but anticipates it will be eligible to apply for and receive approximately $95,000, with the application to be submitted by early October.
CDBG funds can be used to undertake a wide range of “eligible” activities, including, but not limited to: water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer construction; street reconstruction; curb and sidewalk replacement; recreation/park improvements; handicapped accessibility improvements; single family/rental housing rehabilitation; first-time homebuyer assistance; fair housing activities; and administration/planning. It is noted that North East Borough would be responsible for replacing all low and moderate income housing units that may be demolished or converted as a result of a CDBG funded activity. The Borough does not anticipate the demolition or conversion of any housing units.
Eligible activities must meet one of three National Objectives:
1) principally benefit low-to-moderate income persons,
2) aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; or
3) meet a need having a particular urgency.
It is noted that the primary objective of the CDBG program is to “principally benefit low-to-moderate income persons” and at least 70% of the funds must be allocated for this purpose.
All interested persons are encouraged to attend the hearing. Those who are unable to attend but would like to comment may do so by contacting the Erie County Department of Planning (ECDP), 150 East Front Street, Suite 300, Erie, PA 16507 / Phone: (814) 451-7330 / e-mail: jberdis@eriecountypa.gov. Comments will be accepted until the time of the hearing.
The meeting room where the hearing will be conducted is handicapped accessible. The Borough will make reasonable accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s ability to participate in this public hearing. Persons needing an accommodation should notify/contact Nancy Anderson, Borough Administrative Assistant at 725-8611 at least 48 hours prior to the hearing.
Borough Manager
Patrick Gehrlein