Pittsfield Seeks Public Input for Draft CDBG Annual Action Plan

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development has released the draft Annual Action Plan outlining how federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will be used to address housing and community development needs in Pittsfield for the city's 2025 fiscal year.
 
The Community Development Office, in conjunction with the City Council's subcommittee on Community and Economic Development, will hold a public hearing on May 21 at 6:00 p.m. on the proposed CDBG program budget and draft 2025 Annual Action Plan. The public hearing will be held at City Hall, 70 Allen Street, in the Council Chambers.
 
The hearing is part of a 30-day public review process that is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides an opportunity for public input on the draft plan. Through what HUD terms an entitlement grant, HUD provides the city with CDBG funding on an annual basis. The 30-day public review and comment period runs from Tuesday, April 23, 2024 until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
 
The draft 2025 Annual Action Plan proposed budget of $2.2 million consists of $1.3 million in estimated new CDBG funds and $140,000 in expected program income and reprogrammed funds as well as an estimated $470,567 in carryover funds.
 
Community Development has proposed using CDBG money during the upcoming 2025 fiscal year for projects that include public facilities, removal of architectural barriers, public services, housing rehabilitation, economic development, clearance, planning activities, and administrative costs.
 
Copies of the draft 2025 Annual Action Plan are available for public review in the Community Development office, and on the city's website: www.cityofpittsfield.org/departments/community_development/community_development_and_housing/index.php
 
If residents are unable to attend the public hearing, they may submit their written comments to Community Development at any time during the 30-day comment period via email at njoyner@cityofpittsfield.org or by mail to the Department of Community Development, 70 Allen St., Room 205, Pittsfield, MA, 01201.
 
Persons with special needs should contact Community Development at (413) 499-9368 or TTY 413-499-9340 prior to the public hearing and every effort will be made to accommodate their requests.

Tags: CDBG,   

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Shoes at Pittsfield City Hall Give Shocking Visual of Countywide Child Abuse

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Amy Hall, president and CEO of Child Care of the Berkshires, speaks at Friday's annual Step Up event at Pittsfield City Hall.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — One case of child abuse is too many, Berkshire leaders say.

The steps of City Hall were lined with 56 pairs of children's shoes on Friday, representing the average number of children with confirmed abuse and neglect cases each month in the county. The Children's Trust and Child Care of the Berkshires coordinate this shocking visual yearly.

"Let's just take a minute and realize how many kids that is. That's probably about the number right here that are all together," Jennifer Valenzuela, executive director of the Children's Trust said.

"Fifty-six is  too many children that are being entered into our system and that something is happening in their home. The last time we were all here it was 2019 and there were 58 pairs of shoes so we're doing better. We've gone down by two a month."

She said the goal is for more children to have access to great child care and strong adult support. How does this become a reality? Strong programming and a strong workforce.

"Our home visitors and our family support staff wake up every day and they give unselfishly to the families across Massachusetts. They're supporting our families day in and day out. They're helping them learn about parenting and child development and helping them get set up in the systems that are available and signing up for programming. They're listening to the highs of what it is to be a parent and the lows and for those of us who are parents here, we know that there are many highs and lows," Valenzuela said.

"Their stories of why they do this are heartfelt and I've been going around the state over the last year and a half since I started. What I hear over and over again is, 'I love what I do. I wake up every day and I'm so grateful for the engagement I have with these families and the partnerships that we create. I want to do this for as long as I possibly can.'

"The problem is, they can't afford to stay. We're not paying our workforce enough for them to be able to live and to sustain in this type of work."

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