New Items of Interest
Did you Know…
• The Lehigh Valley is projected to continue to grow another 145,000 people by 2030, with an additional 72,000 households by 2030.
• The median home price is $189,000, but the median income in Northampton County is $58k and only $53k in Lehigh County.
• Five Food Deserts exist in the Lehigh Valley.
• The amount of open space and agricultural lands has decreased by 22% since 1975? Will there be enough fresh food to support our growing population?
How do these Factors Affect our Quality of Life now and in the Future?
Over the course of the next three years, Envision Lehigh Valley will be gathering input from all residents of the Lehigh Valley in order to create a vision for the future of the region and to update the region’s current Comprehensive Plan. The project will focus on the main areas of: Economic development, Fresh food access, Transportation choices, Housing choices, Jobs/housing balance, and Climate and energy.
Have your voice heard at any of the 25 public meetings planned throughout the Lehigh Valley this fall. Better yet, bring friends, family, and colleagues and help us in spreading the word!
Read more about the plans and upcoming events at: www.envisionlehighvalley.com
Follow on Facebook @Envision Lehigh Valley or on Twitter @envisionthelv
2013 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT
2013 Community Development Block Grant Application
Please click on the link above for the
2013 Community Development Block Grant Application
The County of Northampton’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is pleased to release a Request for Proposals for approximately $1.3 million in available funding under the federal FY 2013 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for urban entitlement communities. Proposals will be considered from participating municipalities and nonprofits throughout the County for projects that address the needs of low- to moderate-income individuals. The deadline for submitting a full application is 4 pm on May 24, 2013.
Please note that the DCED will hold a public hearing on April 16, 2013 at 4 pm in County Council Chambers, 3rd Floor of the Northampton County Courthouse. The purpose of the hearing is to:
1 Obtain the views and comments of individuals and organizations concerning the County's housing and community development needs that can be met with FY 2013 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding;
2 Provide an opportunity for non-profits and municipalities to discuss projects or suggest activities that could be funded with CDBG funds that would meet community needs; and
3 Discuss the federal rules and regulations applicable to CDBG-funded projects.
All interested individuals and organizations are invited to attend this hearing and offer their views and comments on the housing and community development needs of the boroughs and townships within Northampton County. Individuals requiring special accommodations to facilitate participation in the hearing may call the Office of Community & Economic Development (610) 559-3200, ext. 5.
2013 Gaming Revenue and Economic Redevelopment
Authority
Local Share Municipal Gaming Grant-Round 1 Funding Announcement
Please click on the link above for the
2013 Local Share Municipal Gaming Grant Application and Grant Program Criteria
The Northampton County Gaming Revenue and Economic Redevelopment Authority (NCGR&ERA) requests applications from municipalities interested in applying for funding through the Local Share Municipal Gaming Grant Program-Round 1. Funding requests for 2013 Local Share Municipal Gaming Grants must be received by NCGR&ERA no later than 4:00 P.M. on Friday, March 1, 2013. Applicants must electronically submit the official 2013 NCGR&ERA Local Share Municipal Gaming Grant Application which can be accessed by clicking on the link above
HUD Guidance on Section 3 Compliance, Issued May 2009
HUD has issued guidance for recipients of CDBG, NSP, PIH/PH Capitol Funds on compliance with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. Section 3 is one of HUD’s tools for ensuring that the expenditure of federal funds in economically distressed communities has a multiplier effect by targeting local low- and very low-income persons and qualified businesses for jobs, training, and contracting opportunities.
For applicants interested in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (CDBG-R), the requirements of Section 3 apply in the same manner as they do for other types of covered HUD financial assistance. Since ARRA funding is specifically intended to create jobs and other economic opportunities for those most impacted by the recession, compliance with the requirements of Section 3 is critical. The attached guidance was tailored to the ARRA requirements but is helpful for all potential recipients of HUD funding. Click here to open the document.
Housing-Related Grant Reporting
Agencies receiving housing-related grants, namely Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) and Affordable Housing grants, must submit Fiscal Status and Beneficiary report forms semi-annually and upon close-out of the grant. These reports are due every January 31 and July 31 during the contract period. The forms may be accessed at the "Housing Report Forms" link under Community Development Programs.
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