City Commissioners approved three plans Tuesday that will help move the Northwest Neighborhood Revitalization project forward. The commission also approved additional funding for the project with money made available through the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The project — aimed to increase property value and provide much-needed rehabilitation to homes in northwest Owensboro — is set to begin July 1.
The three plans approved at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting included the 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan, the 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan, and the Northwest Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) Plan.
The money will come from Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership funds and — after approval Tuesday — an additional $294,117 from the CARES Act.
“At the March work session, Community Development Director Abby Shelton presented a plan for the NRSA,” said City Manager Nate Pagan. “This municipal order approves [all three plans] and identifies the methods in which we will spend the next five years of CBDG and Home Partnership federal funds.”
The City’s allocations for this year include $499,172 in CDBG funds and 266,184 in Home Partnership funds, Pagan added.
“With this funding, we will carry out programming mainly within the northwest NRSA, including programs such as homeowner exterior rehabilitation, rental rehabilitation, new home construction, down payment assistance, beautification projects and safety improvements,” he said.
A recent survey conducted by the City revealed that those living in northwest Owensboro have a number of concerns about their neighborhood, which is comprised of approximately 1,000 structures. The neighborhood also houses a population of which 76% fall at or below the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s poverty line.
Survey results indicated that inhabitants of the northwest sector were most concerned about stagnant growth, safety issues and crime, drugs, a lack of green spaces, a lack of business opportunities, the appearance and quality of housing stock, a lack of affordable housing, a lack of shopping facilities, poor street and alley maintenance, a lack of community life, loitering/transients, and the Cadillac Motel.
Money from the CARES Act will go specifically toward small business and rental assistance programs to qualifying low-income applicants, Pagan said.
After approval from the commission, the programs will be submitted to HUD for review and approval, Shelton said, adding that CDBG and CARES Act funds will be released to eligible applicants once HUD gives the OK.
“Once the contracts are signed, we can start dispersing money,” she said.
Shelton also said that applications for the northwest project can now accepted. Once those applications are accepted, the projects will be refunded upon receipt of the federal funds.
