The Town of Amherst is pleased to announce the award of $321,577 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
DHCD made 36 awards across the State through a competitive application process that seeks to address impacts from COVID. The Town would like to acknowledge the hard work of the CDBG Advisory Committee to thoughtfully review and recommend project proposals, the agencies that submitted applications in a very short timeframe, and the public that offered support.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said, “While the needs of our community far outstrip the funds available, I am grateful to the Department of Housing and Community Development for funding these very important initiatives in the Town of Amherst.”
The activities that will be funded align with the State’s priorities as outlined in the Notice of Funding Availability. Approximately half the funding, $160,000, is allocated to a microenterprise assistance program that will award grants up to $10,000 to businesses with 5 or fewer employees and which are income-eligible. Valley CDC is working with the Town to administer this program.
The other funding will be distributed to organizations that address food insecurity and housing instability, and to support those experiencing homelessness. The Food Pantry at the Amherst Survival Center will receive $90,000 due to the exponential increase in the need for those services, Family Outreach of Amherst will receive $52,000 to support residents in retaining their housing and to find affordable housing, and Craig’s Doors Resource Center will receive approximately $20,000 to support individuals experiencing homelessness with case management and in their search for housing.
Contact: Brianna Sunryd sunrydb@amherstma.gov