Action Plan YR4 July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014

8/13/2019 Action Plan YR4 July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014

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City of Medford

Fourth Program Year Action Plan 1 Version 2.0

Fourth Program YearAction Plan

The CPMP Annual Action Plan includes theSF 424and Narrative Responses to

Action Plan questions that CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, and ESG grantees mustrespond to each year in order to be compliant with the Consolidated PlanningRegulations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACTION PLAN.............................................................................................................................. 4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 91.220(B) ....................................................................................... 4Executive Summary Response: Include the objectives and outcomes identifiedin the plan .................................................................................................................................... 4

HOUSING ..................................................................................................................................... 7PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS TO CITY SYSTEMS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES.................................... 8PUBLIC SERVICES ......................................................................................................................... 9

Executive Summary Response: Evaluation of Past Performance .......................... 14

Executive Summary Response: A Summary of the Citizen Participation andConsultation Process (24 CFR 91.200 (b)). ................................................................... 16Executive Summary Response: A Summary of Comments or Views and aSummary of Comments or Views not Accepted and the Reasons therefore (24

CFR 91.105 (b)(5)). ............................................................................................................... 17

GENERAL QUESTIONS ............................................................................................................ 18Medford Square/Central Medford/Lawrence Estates Tract 3391....................... 21

Brooks Estates Tract 3392 ............................................................................................... 21West Medford Tract 3393 ................................................................................................. 22Hillside Tract 3394 .............................................................................................................. 22Central Medford Tract 3395 ............................................................................................. 22South Medford Tracts 3396 and 3397 ......................................................................... 23Wellington Tract 3398........................................................................................................ 23Glenwood/Haines Square Tract 3399 .......................................................................... 23Glenwood/Fulton Heights Tract 3400.......................................................................... 24North Medford Tract 3401 ................................................................................................ 24

MANAGING THE PROCESS ................................................................................................... 27Community Participation .................................................................................................................... 28

Organizations and Municipal Departments Consulted in Preparation of the Annual Action Plan ..... 29

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION .................................................................................................... 31Public Meetings in Development of Program Year 4 Action Plan ........................................... 32

Organizations and Municipal Departments Contacted and Consulted in

Preparation of the Program Year 4 Plan ......................................................................... 33

INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE ............................................................................................ 36
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MONITORING ........................................................................................................................... 37Performance Assessment ......................................................................................................... 37Monitoring Schedule ................................................................................................................ 38On-Site Monitoring Process ...................................................................................................... 38Monitoring Report .................................................................................................................... 39Performance Measurement System ........................................................................................ 39

Davis Bacon Compliance ........................................................................................................... 40Section 3 Compliance................................................................................................................ 40Fair Housing Compliance .......................................................................................................... 41

LEAD-BASED PAINT .............................................................................................................. 41

HOUSING ................................................................................................................................... 42

SPECIFIC HOUSING OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................... 42

Summary of Community Development Block Grant Housing Objectives ................................................ 44

NEEDS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ............................................................................................... 45

BARRIERS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING ........................................................................... 46

HOME/ AMERICAN DREAM DOWN PAYMENT INITIATIVE (ADDI) ....................... 47

HOMELESS ................................................................................................................................ 49

Specific Homeless Prevention Elements ................................................................................................. 49

EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANTS (ESG) ............................................................................ 52

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................ 54

Physical Improvements to City Systems and Public Facilities ................................................................. 57

Economic Development ......................................................................................................................... 58

Public Services Programs ....................................................................................................................... 59

Community Development Response ...................................................................................................... 63Economic Development, Public Facilities, and Improvements ........................................................... 63Economic Development and Job Creation .......................................................................................... 63Medford Square .................................................................................................................................. 63South Medford/Hillside/West Medford/Haines Square/ Middlesex Avenue ..................................... 64Mystic Avenue..................................................................................................................................... 64Riverside Industrial Area ..................................................................................................................... 65Wellington Circle ................................................................................................................................. 65Historic Preservation ........................................................................................................................... 66


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Youth Services ..................................................................................................................................... 66Senior Services .................................................................................................................................... 66Other Human Services ........................................................................................................................ 67

ANTIPOVERTY STRATEGY .................................................................................................. 68

NON-HOMELESS SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING .................................................................. 69

Non-homeless Special Needs (91.220 (c) and (e)) ................................................................................... 69

HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH AIDS ................................................ 70

Specific HOPWA Objectives.................................................................................................................... 71

OTHER NARRATIVE ............................................................................................................... 72Fair Housing Compliance .......................................................................................................... 72

INDEX OF TABLES

TABLE 1: FEDERAL RESOURCES ....................................................................................................................... 6TABLE 2: FEDERAL RESOURCES MEDFORD HOUSING AUTHORITY .............................................................. 7TABLE 3: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT BUDGET ................................................................. 11TABLE 4: PUBLIC SERVICE FUNDING ............................................................................................................. 12

TABLE 5: SUMMARY OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTOBJECTIVES............................. 13TABLE 6: HUD DEFINED LOW/MOD PERCENTAGES BY CENSUS TRACT AND BLOCK GROUP ....................... 20TABLE 7: MEDFORD MINORITY CONCENTRATION BY CENSUS TRACT ......................................................... 24TABLE 8: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION MEETINGS...................................................................................... 29

TABLE 9: HOUSING OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................... 44TABLE 10: CHAPTER 40B SUBSIDIZED HOUSING INVENTORY (SHI) AS OF MAY 20, 2012 ............................ 47TABLE 11: 2013-2014 AWARDS TO ORGANIZATIONS SERVING MEDFORD .................................................. 50TABLE 12: PHYSICAL AND PUBLIC FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS OBJECTIVES AND

PERFORMANCE MEASURES ................................................................................................................ 57TABLE 13: ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS OBJECTIVES & PERFORMANCE MEASURES ............... 58TABLE 14: PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS AND OUTCOMES ........................................................................... 59

CPMP ATTACHMENTS

SIGNED SF424 NEEDS.XLS

SIGNED GRANTEE INFORMATION GOALS.XLSSIGNED CERTIFICATIONS PROJECTS.XLS

HUD CHECKLIST FOR AP3.DOC SUMMARIES.XLS

1CPMP.XLS


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ACTION PLANAnnual Action Plan includes theSF 424and is due every year no less than 45 daysprior to the start of the grantees program year start date. HUD does not acceptplans between August 15 and November 15.

Executive Summary 91.220(b)

The Executive Summary is required. Include the objectives and outcomesidentified in the plan as well as an evaluation of past performance, asummary of the citizen participation and consultation process (includingefforts to broaden public participation) (24 CFR 91.200 (b)), a summary ofcomments or views, and a summary of comments or views not accepted andthe reasons therefore (24 CFR 91.105 (b)(5)).

Program Year 4 Action Plan Executive Summary:

Executive Summary Response: Include the objectives and outcomesidentified in the plan

This Action Plan provides the basis and strategy for the use of federalfunds granted to the City of Medford by the U.S. Department of Housing andUrban Development (HUD) under the Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) program. This Plan presents proposed objectives and outcomes forthe fourth program year of the Five Year Consolidated Plan beginning July 1,2013 and ending June 30, 2014.

The primary objective of the CDBG program is to develop viablecommunities and to meet the needs of its low- and moderate-incomeresidents through a broad range of activities that provide:

a suitable living environment, decent, safe, and sanitary housing or economic opportunities.

The City of Medford, under the leadership of the Mayor, administersCommunity Development Block Grant funds through the Office of CommunityDevelopment. The City has identified a number of pressing needs throughinput from agencies and residents, data collection and analysis. As part ofthe process to establish priorities and strategies, public and private agencies

and organizations serving populations within the City are invited to proposeprojects. These proposals are then reviewed by staff who make projectfunding recommendations to the Mayor.

The City plans to focus efforts this year in the following areas:

Economic Development/Jobs, Livability,
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Housing, Historic Preservation, Public Facilities and Improvements, Handicap Accessibility, Public Services.

Principal among the issues confronting low and moderate-incomeMedford residents are housing affordability and jobs. Funding for smallbusinesses and businesspersons is essential to allow for businessdevelopment and to foster the creation of jobs for residents.

The City will work with existing and potential developers in an effort toencourage and support economic development, resulting in job creation andretention. It will continue its relationship with ACCION, a nonprofitorganization which promotes and supports microenterprise development,creating employment to serve the needs of low-income residents.Additionally, infrastructure and physical improvements will continue in the

Citys commercial areas utilizing federal and state grants when available.The City will continue its efforts to encourage and support businessdevelopment and expansion.

Medford will continue to enhance community livability throughimplementation of its 7-year Open Space and Recreation Plan, completed in2012. This focuses on the preservation, improvement and expansion of allthe Citys active and passive recreation resources and conservation areas andincludes an implementation schedule for goals and objectives identified in theplan. The City will apply for nonfederal sources to fund park rehabilitationand use federal sources to remove architectural barriers.

Housing activities will continue with the majority of funding expectedto continue with public and private resources. The City will continue to seekfinancial support from the North Suburban HOME Consortium (NSC) to assistin the development of affordable housing; the NSC includes the communitiesof Arlington, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere andWinthrop. The NSC provides resources for the development of newaffordable housing units, the rehabilitation of existing affordable housingunits, and assistance to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers.The HOME program will assist the City of Medford in its plan to increasehousing choices for low- and moderate-income Medford households. This hasbeen successful in the past in a number of private developments that have

sought administrative relief from zoning. CDBG funds will be used toleverage HOME and private resources. The public nonprofit partnership withthe Boston Avenue Housing Corporation will continue as they renovate 61Boston Avenue creating two affordable rental units. Financing is acombination of HOME, CDBG and private sources.


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The City of Medford is planning to continue to closely monitor andassess foreclosures. Foreclosures have increased in the City but not to thealarming rate of other area cities.

The City will continue to support efforts to preserve structures andlandscapes of historic value. Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust (M-BELT) willcomplete handicap access improvements funded in Program Year 37.

Public Facilities improvements will continue to be a high priority for theCity, with parks, street, sidewalk and infrastructure improvement projects.The City will implement handicap access improvements focusing onsidewalks, access to public parks and public buildings. Projects will includePhase 3 of Columbus Park and accessibility improvements to Morrison andHickey Parks and the locker rooms at the Community Schools pool atMedford High School. Streets will include Trout Avenue, Eliot and KenwayStreets, and Alexander Avenue from Main Street to Willis Avenue.

The City is committed to continuing to work with and support publicnonprofit agencies such as the Council on Aging and other elder serviceorganizations, homeless providers and other special needs providers in theirmission to meet the needs of the underserved population of the area.

Table 1: Federal Resources

The City and related housing agencies expect to receive the following sourcesof federal funds for the program year July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014:

So u r c e Am o u n tCity of MedfordHUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) $ 1,341,642.00CDBG Program Income from Revolving Loan $ 5,000.00COC Medford Portion of McKinney Request $ 595,290.00HOME $ 200,000.00

Total: $ 2,141,932.00

It is estimated that approximately 90% of specific CDBG expenditures willbenefit low- and moderate-income persons. According to federal regulationsgoverning the Block Grant program, a minimum of 70% of these funds must

be allocated to benefit the Citys low- and moderate-income residents. Inaddition, a maximum of 15% of the Block Grant funds may be used for publicservice programs. As of the preparation of this plan, final formula allocationswere not available. The CDBG budget is based on an anticipated 5%reduction. Once final formula allocations are made, the budget will berevised as funded. Public agencies will be increased or decreasedproportionally so as not to exceed 15%, planning and administration shall not


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exceed 20%. Physical Improvements shall be increased or decreased asnecessary to meet the final allocation.

Table 2: Federal Resources Medford Housing Authority

The Action Plan requires the City to identify resources available to theMedford Housing Authority. The Medford Housing Authority is anindependent, municipal corporation located in Medford, MA and wasestablished under Chapter 121B of the State Statutes. The Medford HousingAuthority submits its own planning documents to HUD and the StatesDepartment of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). CDBG fundswill not be allocated to the Medford Housing Authority in this Action Plan.

So u r c e Am o u n t

Medford Housing Authority State FederalPublic Housing Operating Funds $ 625,842 $ 2,001,044

Public Housing Capital Funds $ 481,752 $ 805,794Leased Housing (HCV) & (MRVP) $ 95,048 $ 10,582,957

TOTAL $1,202,642 $ 13,389,795

Program Year 4 Action Plan

Summary of Statement of Objectives and BudgetFor The Thirty-Ninth Program Year

July 1, 2013 June 30, 2014

The Citys objectives for the use of $1,341,642.00 in CDBG funds forthe 2013-2014 program year are presented in several categories below.

HOUSING24 CFR 570.202(a)(2) & (b)/570.208(a)(3)

$ 5,000.00

The City seeks to improve the quality of housing and increase housingopportunities available to low- and moderate-income households. Activitieswill be overseen by the Citys Affordable Housing Production Specialist.Specific objectives include the following:

The enhancement of conditions and quality of life for low-incomeresidents of public housing;

Oversee affordable housing lotteries and ensure timely delivery ofaffordable units at market rate developments where affordableunits have been required;


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Assist and possibly fund area nonprofit housing developers inidentifying appropriate development sites and in accessing fundingfor the development of those sites including but not limited to 61Boston Avenue;

Administer the various housing activities;

Develop affordable rental housing opportunities for low- tomoderate-income households;

Monitor foreclosed properties within the City.

PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS TO CITY SYSTEMS ANDPUBLIC FACILITIES

24 CFR 570.201(c)/570.202(b),(d)/570.208(a)(1),(3)&(b)

$ 867,068.00

The City seeks to reconstruct its infrastructure, park, recreation, publicservice, water, sewer, drainage, sidewalk, and roadway facilities and removearchitectural barriers. Commitments include the following:

The upgrading and replacement, where necessary, of the water,sewer, sidewalk, drainage, and street systems including: sewer, waterand drainage rehabilitation; fire hydrant and water gate replacement;removal and replacement of lead service connections; sidewalkreconstruction and tree planting.

The City will implement handicap access improvements focusing onsidewalks, crosswalks, access to public parks and public buildingsincluding:

Improvement to Columbus Park softball fields and relatedimprovements;

Removal of architectural barriers to Hickey and Morrison Parks;

Removal of architectural barriers at the Community Schools pooland locker room at Medford High School;

Historic Preservation project at Medford-Brooks Estate Land Trust(M-BELT) will complete handicap access improvements;

Street reconstruction at Trout Avenue, Eliot and Kenway Streetsand Alexander Avenue from Main Street to Willis Avenue;


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Remove architectural barriers at Winthrop Street to Condon Parkand Veterans Memorial Park;

Removal of architectural barriers to various public facilities;

Improvements to Senior Center.

PUBLIC SERVICES24 CFR 570.201(e)/570.208(a)(2)(i)

$ 201,246.00

The City seeks to provide a variety of public service programs. TheCity objectives include:

Combating social illnesses, public safety and substance abuse, which

weaken the stability of the Citys households and neighborhoods;

Improving quality of life for Medfords school children, through theprovision of after school child care programs;

Improving the resources available to the Citys population at risk ofhomelessness, residents in crisis, local consumers, and the physicallyand emotionally disabled population;

Improving quality of life for Medfords elderly population, through theprovision of day health and recreational programs and transportationto reduce isolation;

Encouraging the creation of affordable housing and assisting thosewith emergency and transitional housing needs. Programs includelegal aid, food pantry and meals, and referral and counseling services;

Providing vocational, social, recreational and educational opportunitiesfor developmentally disabled Medford residents and their families.

PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

24 CFR 570.206$ 268,328.00

The City seeks to conduct the above activities in an efficient manneraccording to an overall strategy. In administering the CDBG program theOffice of Community Development shall strive to maximize the impact of thefunds expended.


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The City will work through the Office of Human Diversity regardingregulations concerning Fair Housing, Section 3 Requirements, and theAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Whenever possible, the City will make every effort to attractdiscretionary and formula grant funds from federal and state sources to meetcommunity development objectives.

PROGRAM INCOME24 CFR 570.504

$ 5,000.00

Payments received from a previous housing rehabilitation loan program willbe utilized for housing programs.

HOME BUDGET24 CFR 570.208(a)(1)/570.201(m)&(n)

Low/Moderate Housing Benefit

The City may apply for HOME money to fund owner-occupied orinvestor-owned housing rehabilitation and construction. The proposed HOMEaccomplishments are:

Support the development of new rental housing units. This will be acombination of federally assisted units and privately funded units with

affordability restrictions;

Provide a series of certified first-time homebuyer workshops inMedford, with Medford Community Housing as the regional nonprofitleading the classes;

Assist with the lotteries for affordable units;

Provide income eligible homebuyers with downpayment and closingcost assistance.

Medford is a member of the North Suburban Consortium (NSC) that iscomprised of eight communities located north of Boston (Arlington, Chelsea,Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere and Winthrop). The membercommunities focus cooperative efforts to maintain and create affordablehousing for all low-income residents in the region. Medford will participatein the HOME First-Time Homebuyers Workshop Program providingcounseling, training and downpayment assistance to low- and moderate-income prospective homebuyers in purchasing affordable housing.


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Community Development Block Grant Budget

YR 39 Allocation: $ 1,341,642.00

July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014

Table 3: Communi ty Development Block Grant Budget

HOUSING PROGRAMS $ 5,000.00

PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS $ 867,068.00

Water, sewer, drainage, streets, sidewalks;

Handicapped Access improvements of sidewalks

and crosswalks, access to public parks and buildings;

Senior Center improvements;

Historic Preservation.

PUBLIC SERVICES $ 201,246.00

PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION $ 268,328.00

TOTAL: Estimated Allocation $ 1,341,642.00

Estimated Program Income 5,000.00

$ 1,346,642.00

Reallocated funds: An additional $300,000.00 of prior year funds allocatedto the Medford Housing Authority is reprogrammed to physical improvementprojects; $150,000.00 is reallocated to Columbus Park Improvements and$150,000.00 to Community Schools Pool at Medford High School locker roomaccessibility improvements.

As of the preparation of this plan, final formula allocations were not provided

to Grantees. This budget is based on an anticipated five percent (5%)reduction. Once final formula allocations are communicated, the budget willbe revised as funded. Public Service agencies will be increased or decreasedto ensure that Public Service funding does not exceed 15% of the grantamount. Planning and Administration, as required by regulation, shall notexceed 20% of the grant amount. Finally, funding to physical improvementsshall be increased or decreased as necessary to meet the final allocation.


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YR 39 Public Service Funding

July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014

Table 4: Public Service Funding

Agency YR 39 Funding

1. A Better Tomorrow Services, Inc. $ 3,532.00

2. Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County $ 1,766.00

3. Bread of Life $ 955.00

4. Community Family, Inc. $ 1,590.00

5. Consumer Advisory Commission $ 6,358.00

6. Council on Aging $ 56,441.00

7. EMARC, Inc. $ 4,237.00

8. Heading Home, Inc./Medford Family Life Ed. Ctr. $ 3,532.00

9. Immigrant Learning Center $ 3,532.00

10. Medford Public Schools - After School Care $ 7,950.00

11. Mystic Valley Elder Services $ 7,630.00

12. Salvation Army $ 1,060.00

13. SCM Community Transportation $ 78,424.00

14. Tri-Cap Community Action Program, Inc. $ 5,087.00

15. West Medford Community Center $ 19,152.00

TOTAL $ 201,246.00


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For Year 4 of the 5-year period (2013-2014), the objectives and outcomesare listed below:

Table 5: Summary of Housing and Community DevelopmentObjectives

Housing Objectives Outcomes

Decent Housing:Rental Monitorthe impact of expiring use properties.

Maintain availabilityof current affordablerestrictive housing stock.

Decent Housing:Rental - AffordableHousing Production

Increase the supply of affordablerental units.

Decent Housing:Affordablehomeownership

Increase access to affordablehomeownership opportunities in the City.

Decent Housing:Assist homelesspersons and those at risk ofhomelessness

Availability: Utilize ESG funds to helpat-risk families prevent homelessness.

Physical Improvements to PublicFacilities and City Systems

Suitable Living Environment:Water, sewer, drainage, street andsidewalk improvements

Sustainabilityfor the purpose of creatingsuitable living environments.

Suitable Living Environment:Handicapped accessibility.

Sustainability: Increase access to publicbuildings, parks and walks.

Suitable Living Environment:Handicapped Accessibility

Accessibility for removing physicalbarriers for persons with disabilities.

Economic Development

Suitable Living Environment:Support the Citys Green Community

Initiatives

Sustainability: Conserve energy resourcesand use renewable energy sources.

Suitable Living Environment:Begin implementation of 7 Year OpenSpace Plan

Sustainability: Improvement andexpansion of Citys open space andrecreation system. Remove architecturalbarriers.

Suitable Living Environment:Design Medford Square and an EDA inorder to access State tax and financialincentives for assessment andremediation of brownfields.

Sustainability: Facilitate redevelopment,economic development and job creation.

Create Economic Opportunities:

Partner with ACCION, USA to enablethe support of business expansion forlow- and moderate- income persons;

Sustainability: Promote viable

communities, create and retain jobs.Help create and sustain microenterprisebusinesses.


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Executive Summary Response: Evaluation of Past Performance

The City of Medford received $1,412,255.00 in federal CommunityDevelopment Block Grant funds for the thirty-eighth program year. TheCitys Office of Community Development administered these funds. Over

$811,545.00 in CDBG funds has been expended since July 1, 2012. TheCitys accomplishments in meeting objectives set forth in the ConsolidatedPlan are as follows:

Objective: Decent Housing

Under this objective, the City aims to assist low-income owners inmaintaining dwelling units that meet all safety codes and to increase theamount of permanently affordable housing in Medford.

Fi r s t - t i m e H om e b u y e r s P r o g r a m : The City participates in the NorthSuburban HOME Consortium (NSC) First-Time Homebuyers program.

Financial assistance is given to income qualified first-time homebuyers fordownpayments and closing costs. In Program Year 38 five Medfordhouseholds received downpayment and closing cost assistance through theNSC.

A f f o r d a b l e H o u s i n g : The City continues to work with nonprofit and for-profit developers. Medford Community Housing, in conjunction with WestMedford Baptist Church, is redeveloping two affordable rental units forhouseholds at or below 60% median income at 61 Boston Avenue. Theproject is funded with private, HOME and CDBG funding and will be restrictedfor thirty years. The units are planned for occupancy by fall, 2013.

Additionally, the City has permitted and construction has begun on a 163-unit luxury apartment development. Sixteen of the units will be affordablefor households at or below 80% median income.

Homeless: The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (HPRP)program was completed in July 2012. One hundred and eighty-fourhouseholds were served with case management; one hundred nineteenhouseholds received rental assistance to prevent them from becominghomeless; and thirty-nine homeless families received case management,with all of those households also receiving rental assistance, using HPRPfunds.

The City of Medford coordinates with a wide variety of local, regionaland state departments to meet the range of needs of families and individualsfacing homelessness. The City participates in the Tri-City Continuum ofCare, a collaboration of nonprofit and municipal service agencies from thecities of Everett, Malden and Medford to create a comprehensive strategy toend homelessness. Public housing, transitional housing and social servicesfor homeless persons provide a means of meeting basic needs and stabilizingfamilies in poverty. The City is also utilizing Metropolitan Boston Housing


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Partnership (MBHP) or local Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds throughDHCD, to provide rental assistance to households who are experiencinghousing crises for the first time.

Objective: Suitable Living Environment

I m p r o v e m e n t s t o p u b l i c f ac i l i t i e s a n d c i t y s y s t e m s : The City hasexpended $87,006.41 since July 1, 2012 on the installation of street andsidewalk improvements. Roadway reconstruction on Alexander Avenue andBradshaw, Cushing and Pembroke Streets was completed. Removal ofarchitectural barriers has been completed at Wrights Pond and at Barry Parkwith a total of $196,440.16 expended. Additional accessibility improvementswere completed at Edgerly fields and are underway at Hickey and MorrisonParks and field improvements are planned at Columbus Park, with$77,502.59 expended thus far. These improvements will increase safety andaccessibility in these target areas.

Pu b l i c S e r v i c e s : CDBG funds were used to provide a broad range of publicservice activities effective in promoting self-sufficiency and addressing thesupportive service needs among low- and moderate-income families,disabled individuals and the elderly. These services include transportationfor the elderly and disabled, hot meals and food pantry programs, adult dayhealth care and senior programs, emergency supportive services,occupational training and employment opportunities for persons withdevelopmental and physical disabilities, afterschool care services, and youthactivities. To date, the City has expended over $172,028.58 for publicservice agencies.

En e r g y c o n s er v a t i o n / R en e w a b l e En e r g y : The City will continue its longcommitment to green initiatives and clean and renewable energy. Medfordcreated a City Department of Energy and Environment in 1999 and hasaggressively pursued energy efficiency and renewable energy projects eversince. The City is designated as a Green Community and passed theMassachusetts Building Stretch Code. The code, which requires higher thannormal energy efficiency standards in new buildings and large renovations,became effective in January 2011 and is enforced by the Citys buildingdepartment. As part of the Green Communities Program the City iscommitted to reduce its municipal energy usage in 5 years by 20% from thebaseline year of 2009 and by 2013 reduce its municipal energy usage by30%. Reductions were achieved through a combination of effectively

managing energy management systems and replacing systems with moreenergy efficient systems including lighting upgrades in most municipalbuildings. The City has a 100-kilowatt wind turbine at the Andrews andMcGlynn Schools, and is actively pursuing municipal solar power options.

For residents the City recently launched an energy efficiency program and a

renewable energy program. Go Green Medford Residential encouragesresidents to take advantage of utility funded home energy assessments and


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residential energy efficiency retrofits including air sealing and insulation.Solarize Massachusetts - Medford educates residents on residential solarinstallations and uses the aggregate buying power of residents to reduce thecost of solar for homeowners.

H i s t o r i c P r e s er v a t i o n : A survey of historic properties using State andCDBG funding was completed. Plans to construct a handicapped accessiblelift at the Shepherd Brooks Estate, using prior year CDBG funds are currentlyunderway with construction planned for fall, 2013.

Objective: Creating Economic Opportunities.

The City hascompleted the design of a parking garage to be located atGovernors Avenue in Medford Square. The City received an EconomicallyDistressed Area (EDA) designation for Medford Square, enabling propertyowners to apply for tax credits for brownfields cleanup.

The City has achieved the job creation goal associated with the Section108 loan for the Rivers Edge Project. The Rivers Edge office building,houses a number of tenants including Marriott ENE Regional Sales Office andthe Spanish biotechnology company Progenika. A number of smalleroperations including PL Management Company and Undine are also located inthe building. During 2012 additional tenants, including Aetna Student HealthServices, Physicians Professional Services and Labthink, have moved into thebuilding bring the total number of created jobs to 300. Linear park andlandscape improvements have been completed with pathways andlandscaping installed along the Malden River.

Construction of the Wellington Greenway project has been completed.This multipurpose pathway along the Malden and Mystic Rivers, will link theRivers Edge project to the MBTAs Wellington Station and other developmentprojects along the river. The Massachusetts Economic AssistanceCoordination Council designated census tracts 339400, 339100, 340000,339900 and 339802 as an EDA. Properties in these tracts may qualify forState economic and tax incentives for brownfields assessment andremediation in order to facilitate redevelopment and promote economicgrowth and job creation.

Executive Summary Response: A Summary of the CitizenParticipation and Consultation Process (24 CFR 91.200 (b)).

The City sponsored a series of information gathering sessions, publicmeetings and hearings on relevant issues with nonprofit providers, privateentities, the public and elected officials to refine housing and communitydevelopment needs, define the Fourth Year Action Plan and receive approvalfor the CDBG plan and application. On February 28, 2013 a Public Hearingwas held at the Medford Senior Center; a Committee of the Whole Public


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Meeting with Medford City Council was held on March 26, 2013; and a PublicHearing with Medford City Council was held on April 23, 2013.

Agencies and organizations with programs that use or could useresources outlined in the Annual Action Plan were notified of the developmentof the plan and were invited to submit suggestions, ideas and requests forsupport.

The City received verbal testimony during the preparation of the ActionPlan. Input was received from seniors, public housing developmentresidents, City Departments and public service agencies and beneficiaries.People expressed their continued support of the ongoing public serviceprograms.

Agencies and groups that provide housing and public service needsserving minorities and low-income persons were invited to participate in theprocess to identify goals and suggest strategies. To ensure inclusion of

underserved populations, agencies specifically representing the underservedwere contacted to verify needs as identified in the plan.

Representatives from each public service agency attended, informingcitizens of the services provided and responding to questions. Medford CityCouncilors also attended to hear from the public service agencies and toinquire about the agencies.

In addition, attendees were invited to submit data and writtencomments after the meetings. Any input received from organizations andcitizens was considered and incorporated into this plan, if appropriate.

The draft Plans were made available on April 12, 2013 at City Hall,online atwww.medford.organd by request, during the 30-day publiccomment period.

Executive Summary Response: A Summary of Comments or Viewsand a Summary of Comments or Views not Accepted and the Reasonstherefore (24 CFR 91.105 (b)(5)).

The Office of Community Development did not receive any writtencomments on the Plan during the public comment period. However, following

a City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held on May 14, 2013regarding an update on various projects, a citizen submitted writtencomments via email to the Citys Director of Personnel and budgets. Some ofthese comments referred to accessibility improvements at the CommunitySchools pool and locker room. The City is taking these comments underadvisement and the plans requested will be made available by the City.
http://www.medford.org/http://www.medford.org/http://www.medford.org/http://www.medford.org/


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General Questions

1. Describe the geographic areas of the jurisdiction (including areas of lowincome families and/or racial/minority concentration) in which assistancewill be directed during the next year. Where appropriate, the jurisdiction

should estimate the percentage of funds the jurisdiction plans to dedicateto target areas.

2. Describe the basis for allocating investments geographically within the*jurisdiction (or within the EMSA for HOPWA) (91.215(a)(1)) during thenext year and the rationale for assigning the priorities.

3. Describe actions that will take place during the next year to addressobstacles to meeting underserved needs.

4. Identify the federal, state, and local resources expected to be madeavailable to address the needs identified in the plan. Federal resourcesshould include Section 8 funds made available to the jurisdiction, Lowincome Housing Tax Credits, and competitive McKinney-Vento Homeless

Assistance Act funds expected to be available to address priority needsand specific objectives identified in the strategic plan.

Program Year 4 Action Plan General Questions response:

1. Describe the geographic areas of the jurisdiction (including areas of lowincome families and/or racial/minority concentration) in which assistancewill be directed during the next year. Where appropriate, the jurisdiction

should estimate the percentage of funds the jurisdiction plans to dedicateto target areas.

The City of Medford, a historic suburban city located on the MysticRiver, was incorporated as a city in 1892. Medford is bordered by Everettand Malden to the east, Stoneham to the north, Somerville to the south,Arlington to the west and Winchester to the northwest. The 2010 censusfigures for Medford indicate that the city as a population of 56,173 persons,which is a very slight 0.7% (or 408 persons) increase from the 2000 number.The average population density is 6449 persons per square miles in 8.71square miles. The housing stock in Medford is dominated by two and three

unit buildings, with a significant number of single-family colonial style homes,particularly in the northern and western regions of the city. Of the citys22,810 occupied housing units 57.1% are owner occupied, while theremaining 42.9% are rented occupied. American Community Surveyestimates the median annual household from Medford at $68,022. Medfordhas a predominantly Caucasian population, with a historic middle-classAfrican American community in West Medford. Data from the 2010 censusindicates that 86.5% of the population is White, 8.8% is Black, 6.9% is Asian


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and 4.4% Hispanic. These figures indicate a 7.9% decrease in the Whitepopulation since the 2000 census, with corresponding increases of 2.7% inthe Black population, 3.0% in the Asian population and 1.85% in theHispanic population, indicating a slight increase in racial diversity within thecity.

The City of Medford dedicates resources to low- and moderate-incomehouseholds as set forth by census & HUD. To gain a better understanding ofthe municipal needs, the following are profiles of Medford neighborhoods bycensus tract. Information on population, race and housing is taken from the2010 Census. Income data was not collected in the 2010 Census.This is now collected by the Census Bureau on a sampling basis as part of theAmerican Community Survey. HUD does not accept this data foridentification of areas that are eligible for area benefit designation of CDBGfunds. The data presented in Table 6 on page 20 is from the 2000 Census.


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The low/moderate income areas, which have been defined by HUD, are thegray shaded areas as follows:

Table 6: HUD Defined Low/Mod Percentages by Census Tract and Block Group 1

TractBlockGroup

LowMod# Universe

LowMod% Tract

BlockGroup

LowMod # Universe

LowMod%

340000 1 659 1009 65.3 339900 1 593 1616 36.7

339800 6 1554 2457 63.2 339400 5 221 610 36.2

339300 1 450 763 59 339200 3 345 980 35.2

339500 6 158 274 57.7 339800 1 311 906 34.3

339400 1 549 994 55.2 339800 5 394 1187 33.2

339800 4 305 567 53.8 339500 4 280 847 33.1

339700 2 860 1628 52.8 339600 3 223 681 32.7

339600 1 477 908 52.5 339100 2 466 1434 32.5

339400 3 516 993 52 339600 5 293 908 32.3

339700 1 308 626 49.2 340100 5 173 536 32.3

339700 3 479 977 49 339200 2 328 1029 31.9

339600 7 410 846 48.5 339200 1 217 684 31.7

339900 7 345 718 48.1 340100 7 296 938 31.6

340000 3 395 833 47.4 339800 7 236 767 30.8

339800 2 284 621 45.7 340100 1 228 758 30.1

339100 1 342 771 44.4 339500 3 196 670 29.3

340000 5 300 681 44.1 339400 4 259 887 29.2

340100 4 609 1403 43.4 339300 5 218 748 29.1

339900 3 437 1026 42.6 339800 3 225 805 28

339500 5 472 1116 42.3 339300 4 238 868 27.4

340100 6 275 652 42.2 339600 2 242 892 27.1

339700 5 334 808 41.3 339900 5 254 951 26.7

339500 1 518 1261 41.1 340100 3 351 1574 22.3

339100 3 516 1274 40.5 339100 5 255 1187 21.5

339600 4 316 807 39.2 339200 6 146 822 17.8

339300 6 236 622 37.9 340100 2 90 585 15.4

339100 4 697 1847 37.7 339200 5 109 868 12.6

339900 6 368 985 37.4 339200 4 154 1361 11.3

Note: The highlighted Blocks are predominately low and moderate income.

1HUD Low-Mod Census Tracts, 2000 Census


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Medford Square/Central Medford/Lawrence Estates Tract 3391

Tract 3391 comprises three distinctive areas: Medford Square, which is thecentral business district; Lawrence Estates, a generally upper incomeresidential area; and the Middlesex Fells, a large undeveloped wooded areaowned and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The population of this tract is predominantly White, 89.3%, with an Asianpopulation of 3.8%, a Black or African American population of 3.8%, aHispanic Population of 2.5%, and all other population groups togetheraccounting for 0.8%.

Medford Square is an older business district which in the past has had a poorimage and suffered from lack of economic investment, traffic congestion,limited vehicular and transit accessibility, as well as inadequate parkingfacilities. The City has invested considerable funding in traffic, parking,urban design and open space improvements. The City of Medford is workingon the development of improved circulation, parking, open and recreationalspace, housing and business opportunities in Medford Square. The City has

completed the realignment of Clippership Drive, the first phase of ClippershipPark and the design of a new parking garage in Medford Square. This will beincluded as part of the Citys EDA in order to facilitate brownfield clean upand encourage economic development and job creation in the city center.Funding for these efforts has been from state and federal earmarks andgrants. Removal of architectural barriers at the Community Schools pool andlocker room, at Medford High School, are planned for this program year.

There are three elderly housing developments located within the Squarewhich explains why almost 25% of the tracts residents are aged 65 or over.This population is serviced by the Senior Center, located on Riverside

Avenue. The Senior Center offers a lunch program and a variety ofstructured activities for the Citys elderly population.

Brooks Estates Tract 3392

The Brooks Estates section of Medford is a relatively stable residentialneighborhood of single and two-family homes. It abuts the West Medfordbusiness district and extends northward to meet the Winchester town line.To the west is the Department of Conservation and Recreation-owned Mystic

Lakes and park. The population here is 92.7% White, 2.1% Black or AfricanAmerican, 2.9% Asian and 2.0% Hispanic with all other groups togetheraccounting for 0.3%. Since 2000, the non-White population has increased

slightly.

Also located in this tract is the Shepherd Brooks Estate. This property,located adjacent to the Oak Grove Cemetery, contains a historic manorhouse set in 60 acres of woodlands and is listed on the National Register ofHistoric Places. The City owned estate, which was placed under aconservation restriction in 1997, is in a deteriorated condition and wasdesignated as a slums and blight on a spot basis in July, 1991. A handicap


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accessible lift funded in Year 37 is currently in the design phase and will becompleted in the coming year.

West Medford Tract 3393

West Medford is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the

city. Over 45% of occupied housing units are renter occupied and a largeproportion of the housing units were built in 1939 or earlier. The area ishome to 18.2% of the Citys African American residents and theneighborhood itself is 31.1% Black or African American. The area is 4.2%Hispanic. The tract contains a 59% low- to moderate-income area, Group 1.This area is bounded by High Street to the north, Mystic Valley Parkway tothe south, Mystic Street to the east, and Playstead Road to the west. TheWest Medford Community Center, serving predominantly minority and low-income clients, is also located in this area. The City supports programsoperated by the West Medford Community Center on an annual basis,through its public service funding.

Hillside Tract 3394

Hillside is an older, concentrated residential area. The tract contains twoareas of low- and moderate-income population concentrations. The firstarea, Block Group 1, is defined by Mystic Valley Parkway to the north andwest, Winthrop Street to the east, and Marshall Street to the south. Thisarea has a 55.2% low- to moderate- income population. The second area, at52% low- to moderate-income, is bounded by Marshall Street to the north,Winthrop Street to the east, and Boston Avenue to the south and west. Thepopulation is 84% White, with 6.2% Black or African American, 4.6%Hispanic and 4.7% Asian. The area is home to a large transient populationbecause of its proximity to Tufts University, which has a major impact on thismodest, densely populated neighborhood. Over 59.6% of occupied housingunits are renter occupied. Plans to extend the Massachusetts BayTransportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line light rail public transit service tothis area are currently in the design phase and will have a major impact onthe physical and economic environment when implemented. This tract isincluded as part of the Citys EDA in order to facilitate brownfield clean upand encourage economic development in the area.

Central Medford Tract 3395

Central Medford is also a concentrated neighborhood, which contains twoquite dissimilar populations. The southwestern section of the tract is hometo Tufts University, a privately owned educational institution with manystudent-occupied apartments. The remainder of the tract, in contrast, is anolder multi-family residential area. The low- to moderate-income area,(58%), Block Group 6, includes Tufts University. This area is defined byBoston Avenue to the north, Medford/Somerville line to the south, HarvardStreet to the east and Winthrop Street to the west. The population of thistract is 80.7% White, with a Black or African American population of 6%, aHispanic population of 4.4%, and an Asian population of 7.6%.


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The City proposes to remove architectural barriers at Winthrop Street toCondon Park and Veterans Memorial Park.

South Medford Tracts 3396 and 3397

The South Medford neighborhood is comprised of two census tracts, 3396

and 3397. This is a densely populated residential area with a strongcommercial/retail district. Housing in the area is predominantly two- andmulti-family, with much of the stock built before 1939 and 59.15% of thehousing units occupied by renters. Approximately 50% of the neighborhoodis classified as a low- to moderate-income area. According to the 2010Census, the neighborhood is 73% White, with 12.15% Black or AfricanAmerican, 6.6% Asian and 6.3% Hispanic. This represents a substantialdecline in White and increase in Black population.

Much of the commercial area along Main and Medford Streets is in adeteriorated condition. Park and field improvements at Columbus Park willbe completed this year. Alexander Avenue from Main Street to WillisAvenue, and Trout Avenue, Kenway and Eliot Streets will be reconstructedduring this program year.

Wellington Tract 3398

The Wellington area has a mix of residential, commercial and industrial landuses. Two Block Groups in this tract have a high low- and moderate-incomepercentage. Block Group 4 is 53.8% low- and moderate-income; BlockGroup 6 is at 63.2% and contains one of the Citys major public housingprojects. The population is 66.1% White, 11.25% Black or African American,16.03 % Asian, 3% Hispanic and all other groups accounting for less than1%. Census information indicates that 52.4% of the occupied housing unitsin this tract are occupied by renters. This is a 5% increase in owner-occupied units since 2000. There are essentially two residentialneighborhoods in Wellington. They are separated by areas of commercialand industrial land, and by an intricate road system. Both industrial areasand their environs contain underutilized, deteriorated and sometimes vacantbuildings. The commercial area along Middlesex Avenue and similarly, theWellington Circle area, which includes land along Corporation Way containblighted properties. Census tract 3398 Block Group 2 will be included aspart of the Citys EDA in order to facilitate brownfield clean up and encourageeconomic development in the area.

Glenwood/Haines Square Tract 3399

The Glenwood/Haines Square neighborhood is one of the more denselypopulated areas of the city. The housing stock here is older, the majoritybeing built prior to 1939, with 47.9% of housing units being renter-occupied.This neighborhood is 78.2% White, 8.5% Black or African American, 5.1%Hispanic and 4.6% Asian. There was a substantial 10% decrease in theWhite population and there was an increase in non-White population. Thewestern corner of the neighborhood is a low- and moderate-income pocket


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defined by Salem Street to the north, Park Street on the east, Lauriat Placeto the south and Cross Street to the west. Removal of architectural barriersat Morrison and Hickey Parks is planned for this program year.

The commercial and residential areas along Spring Street, from WashingtonStreet to Central Avenue, and along Salem Street have several structures ina deteriorated state. This tract will be included as part of the Citys EDA inorder to facilitate brownfield clean up and encourage economic developmentin the area.

Glenwood/Fulton Heights Tract 3400

Glenwood/Fulton Heights is also heavily populated with an older housingstock. Approximately 52.9% of dwellings are renter occupied and 70% ofhousing takes the form of two- or multi-family dwellings. This neighborhoodis 72.4% White, 13.2% Black or African American, 6.3% Hispanic and 4.9%Asian. This area also had a substantial decline in White and increase in non-White residents. The eastern corner of the neighborhood is a low- andmoderate-income pocket defined by the Fellsway to the north, Salem Streetto the south and Almont Street to the west. This tract will be included as partof the Citys EDA in order to facilitate brownfield clean up and encourageeconomic development in the area.

North Medford Tract 3401

North Medford is the newest section of the City, with less than half thehousing stock built before 1939. This is a residential area with 88.5% owneroccupied housing units. The population is 86.3% White, 4.5% Black orAfrican American, 6.0% Asian, 2.4 % Hispanic and all other populationgroups each accounting for less than 1% of the whole. There are no HUDqualified low- to moderate-income Block Groups in this tract.

The following table lists the census tracts in terms of racial concentration.

Table 7: Medford Minorit y Concentration by Census Tract

Medford CensusTract

% Minority 2000Census

% Minority2010

Census

%Change

3391 6.76% 10.7% + 3.94%

3392 5.42% 7.6% + 2.18%

3393 48.53% 43.4% - 5.13%3394 14.24% 16.00% + 1.76%

3395 18.00% 19.3% + 1.30%

3396 17.60% 23.1% + 5.50%

3397 18.12% 30.0% +11.88%

3398.01 21.37% 34.6% +13.23%

3398.02 21.37% 33.2% +11.83%


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Medford CensusTract

% Minority 2000Census

% Minority

2010Census

%Change

3399 11.47% 12.81% + 1.34%

3400 14.07% 27.6% +13.53%

3401 6.93% 13.7% + 6.77%

Data from the 2000 Census indicated that eight census tracts in Medford hadminority concentrations of more than 10% with two of these havingconcentrations of over 20%. Data from the 2010 census indicates thatminority concentrations have increased in all but one census tract, with ninetracts now having minority concentrations of more than 15% and two ofthese having more than 30%.

2. Describe the basis for allocating investments geographically within thejurisdiction (or within the EMSA for HOPWA) (91.215(a)(1)) during the

next year and the rationale for assigning the priorities.

Because the primary objective of the Consolidated Plan and AnnualAction Plan programs is to benefit low- and moderate-income residents, theCity of Medford is focusing community development investments inneighborhoods with a high concentration of low- and moderate-incomehouseholds. The City will also allocate substantial funding to removearchitectural barriers. Developed under the provisions of the Commonwealthof Massachusetts Executive Order 418, the City of Medford identified priorityneeds throughout the City of Medford. Subsequently the Medford SquareMaster Plan identified targeted program of improvements in the Cityshistoric downtown, Medford Square. In addition to municipal planning andoutreach, Medford also uses data from the 2000 U.S. Census and HUD'sLow/Mod Income Summary Data (LMISD) to identify neighborhoods that areeligible to receive Block Grant funds for eligible activities such as physicalimprovements to city systems, reconstruction of parks and playgrounds.The LMISD deems as eligible neighborhood target service areas, those thathave a percentage of low- and moderate-income families equal to or greaterthan 47.4%. Areas of the city eligible to receive CDBG funds are delineatedon the City low/mod map in the Appendix Maps. This information will beupdated and areas redefined when HUD provides updated eligibility andincome data to the City. Areas of with a concentration of minoritypopulations will also be targeted.

In addition to specific neighborhoods, Medford has categorical needsfor services and investments that meet the needs of low- and moderate-income Medford residents on a citywide basis. Priority needs were identified

through input from residents and service providers, as well as statisticalanalysis of U.S. Census, state and locally provided data.


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3. Describe actions that will take place during the next year to addressobstacles to meeting underserved needs.

The primary obstacle to meeting the underserved housing needs oflow- and moderate-income populations continues to be the availability offunds. Except for special populations unable to work (some elderly, mostextra elderly, some disabled and those institutionalized), the critical need is

jobs. When working with agencies to develop this plan, many agencies notedthat a shift in clients had occurred. Previously, many of the clients had noemployment or sporadic employment histories. Now, formerly regularlyemployed persons are seeking help.

Organizations serving these populations continue to experiencesignificant reductions in funding from both governmental and privatesources. Reductions in state aid to local budgets have increased the fundingshortfall, leaving many worthy and valuable programs unfunded orunderfunded.

Another obstacle to meeting the needs of the underserved iscoordinating efforts to assist those individuals with mental health issues. Toooften, there are individuals that need direct assistance with mental health,and the lack of assistance can ultimately affect their ability to maintainhousing. There is a reduction in services for this population as statecutbacks occur. The City must better coordinate efforts with area mentalhealth providers to provide services for day to day health and forhomelessness prevention.

While many of these obstacles may be beyond the capacity of the local

jurisdiction to address satisfactorily, the City is committed to continuing towork with and support public nonprofit agencies such as the MedfordCommunity Housing, Human Services department, the Council on Aging andother elder service organizations, homeless providers and other special needsproviders in their mission to meet the needs of the underserved population ofthe area. Moreover, the City continues to actively educate Medfordorganizations and citizens about removing barriers to the development ofaffordable housing.

Through the Continuum of Care, housing producers, homeless serviceproviders and nonprofit agencies meet on a monthly basis to bettercoordinate services. There has been increased emphasis in linking

employment opportunities with housing opportunities. The CoC, as a group,continues to look to other non-federal resources to help supplement thefederal dollars that help ELI households from experiencing homelessness.

Refer to Attachment A for more detail on Fair Housing programs.


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4. Identify the federal, state, and local resources expected to be madeavailable to address the needs identified in the plan. Federal resourcesshould include Section 8 funds made available to the jurisdiction, Lowincome Housing Tax Credits, and competitive McKinney-Vento Homeless

Assistance Act funds expected to be available to address priority needsand specific objectives identified in the strategic plan.

Refer to Table 1 and Table 2 on Pages 6 and 7.

Managing the Process

1. Identify the lead agency, entity, and agencies responsible foradministering programs covered by the consolidated plan.

2. Identify the significant aspects of the process by which the plan wasdeveloped, and the agencies, groups, organizations, and others who

participated in the process.

3. Describe actions that will take place during the next year to enhancecoordination between public and private housing, health, and socialservice agencies.

Program Year 4 Action Plan Managing the Process response:

1. Identify the lead agency or entity for overseeing the development of theplan and the major public and private agencies responsible foradministering programs covered by the consolidated plan.

The City of Medford Office of Community Development is the leadagency for the development of this Annual Action Plan that outlines proposedactivities and expenditures under CDBG. The Office of CommunityDevelopment coordinates and consults with necessary City departments tomore effectively and efficiently administer Block Grant programs. The City ofMedford receives HOME funds through its participation in the North SuburbanHOME Consortium, where the Malden Redevelopment Authority is the leadagency for HOME funds. The major homeless needs in the area are deliveredthrough the Tri-City CoC using McKinney-Vento funding.

Other major agencies and organizations that execute programs include:

Other Public OrganizationsMedford Consumer Advisory CommissionMedford Council on AgingMedford Public School Afterschool CareMystic Valley Development CommissionNorth Suburban HOME Consortium


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Private Nonprofit Organizations and AgenciesA Better Tomorrow Services, Inc.Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex CountyBread of LifeCommunity Family, Inc.EMARC, Inc.Heading Home/Medford Family Life Education CenterImmigrant Learning CenterMedford Community HousingMystic Valley Elder ServicesSalvation ArmySCM Community TransportationTri-Cap Community Action Program, Inc.West Medford Community Center

The major homeless needs in the area are primarily delivered through theTri-City CoC using McKinney-Vento funding. The lead agency for the CoC is

Tri-CAP. The key agencies responsible for the McKinney-Vento program are:

Disabled Family Leasing Homeless to HousingHomeless to Housing Expansion Kaszanek Transitional HouseMedford Family Life Mobile Homeless Outreach TeamTri-City Shelter+Care Tri-City Stepping Stones 3

2. Identify the significant aspects of the process by which the plan wasdeveloped, and the agencies, groups, organizations and others who

participated in the process.

Community Participation

A series of public meetings and consultations were held to receiveinput from low- and moderate-income residents, social service agencies andthe general public on the development of the Action Plan for the 2013-2014program year. The City of Medford and the Office of CommunityDevelopment staff met with a wide range of human services, housing, elderservices and municipal officials to receive data and feedback regardingMedfords housing and community development needs. The schedule ofmeetings, consultations and public hearings was drafted to ensure thatservice providers and low- to moderate-income residents from neighborhoods

throughout the City of Medford were able to provide timely input into thepreparation of analyses, strategies and objectives. The public hearings wereadvertised in the local newspaper. The first two meetings, held on February28 and March 26, 2013 were intended to obtain views on the development ofthe Citys Program Year 4 Action Plan and to review accomplishments andactivities for the current program year. The third was held on April 23, 2013.The following page includes the list of organizations consulted.


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Table 8: Community Participation Meetings

Date Meeting Type Location

February 28, 2013 Public Hearing Medford Senior CenterMarch 26, 2013 Committee of the Whole Medford City Hall

Public MeetingApril 23, 2013 Public Hearing Medford City Hall

1. Describe actions that will take place during the next year to enhancecoordination between public and private housing, health, and socialservice agencies.

The consultations are described in the Citizen Participation section below.

Organizations and Municipal Departments Consulted in Preparation

of the Annual Action Plan

Municipal Offices and DepartmentsOffice of the MayorCity CouncilOffice of Community DevelopmentOffice of DiversityOffice of Energy and EnvironmentOffice of EngineeringDepartment of Public Works

Other Public OrganizationsFair Housing CommissionMalden Redevelopment AgencyMedford Brooks Estate Land TrustMedford Consumer Advisory CommissionMedford Council on AgingMedford Housing AuthorityMedford Human Rights Commission (HRC)Medford Public School (Afterschool Care)Mystic Valley Development CommissionNorth Suburban HOME Consortium

Private Nonprofit Organizations and AgenciesA Better Tomorrow Services, Inc.Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex CountyBread of LifeCommunity Family, Inc.EMARC, Inc.Heading Home/Medford Family Life Ed. Ctr.Immigrant Learning Center


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Medford Community HousingMystic Valley Elder ServicesSalvation ArmySCM Community TransportationTri-Cap Community Action Program, Inc.West Medford Community Center

Elliot Human Services. Inc.Tri-City Continuum of CareCommunity Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC)Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership

The planning and citizen participation activities for this plan alsoutilized community outreach meetings. These meetings were conducted forthe purpose of soliciting public comment and included information for projectproposals relative to community needs and program priorities for the fourth

annual plan. Groups active in areas which use or could use resources weremade aware of the process by advertisements and public notices.The meetings, widely advertised throughout the City, include three significantcomponents:

1) a brief explanation of the Annual Action Plan process, including therole of the Plan in making allocations and guiding the selection ofprojects to be funded;

2) a report on prior year activities and progress on goals in the currentprogram year;

3) a forum for the general public to brainstorm and discuss priority needs

for the City for the upcoming year.

Refer to Page 29 for a list of Community Participation Meetings.

Participants in this planning process drew attention to the following specificsub-populations and issues:

people with short-term housing needs,

persons recovering from substance abuse,

persons in need of supportive housing due to their inability to liveindependently,

the need for economic and business development which can provide

jobs, the frail elderly, especially nutrition and transportation, young people (18-24) unable to live at home any longer, veterans,

immigrants trying to enter into full participation in communities,

elderly homeowners who may have minimal mortgages struggling to

manage on a daily basis because of their fixed incomes, and those with mental illness and cognitive disabilities.


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These were incorporated into the draft Plans which were then madeavailable on April 12, 2013 at the Community Development Office of the Cityof Medford located at Room 308-City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive,Medford, MA 02155. The draft plans were also available online atwww.medford.org and by request during the 30-day public comment period.The City of Medford considered comments or views of citizens received inwriting, or orally at the public hearing, in preparing action plans, the finalconsolidated plan, amendment of the plan, and in the future, performancereport. A summary of these comments or views, and a summary of anycomments or views not accepted and the reason(s) therefore are attached tothe final consolidated plan, amendment of the plan, or performance report.The City of Medford will provide a timely and substantive written response toevery written citizen complaint, within 15 working days, where practicable.The City shall amend the Consolidated Plan, and/or one-year action plan inorder to carry out a new activity, not previously described, or when anactivity undertaken constitutes a substantial change in the Consolidated Planand/or one-year action plan.

Citizen Participation1. Provide a summary of the citizen participation process.2. Provide a summary of citizen comments or views on the plan.3. Provide a summary of efforts made to broaden public participation in the

development of the consolidated plan, including outreach to minoritiesand non-English speaking persons, as well as persons with disabilities.

4. Provide a written explanation of comments not accepted and the reasonswhy these comments were not accepted.

Program Year 4 Action Plan Citizen Participation response:

1. Provide a summary of the citizen participation process.The City of Medford adopted the following Citizen Participation Plan in

respect to the planning and development of its Consolidated Plan.

Purpose

The City of Medford, Massachusetts, an eligible Grantee under Section106(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, asamended, is required by said provision to follow a detailed CitizenParticipation Plan. With respect to the development and implementation onthe Consolidated Plan and/or any one-year action plan it is the Citys intentthat citizens, in particular those of low/moderate income who are residents ofslum and blighted areas, have maximum opportunity to participate in thedevelopment, review and evaluation of federally funded projects. However,all citizens, including minorities and non-English speaking persons, as well as
http://www.medford.org/http://www.medford.org/http://www.medford.org/


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persons with mobility, visual or hearing impairments will have equalopportunity and be encouraged to participate.

Statement of PolicyIt is the policy of the City of Medford to adhere to this Citizen

Participation Plan delineated below. This Plan shall be administered by theCitys Office of Community Development and will include positive andaggressive steps to insure that the City provides for and encourages citizenparticipation in all areas including the creation of, amendments to, and theperformance of the Consolidated Plan.

Citizen Participation PlanThe City will provide for and encourage citizen participation, with

particular emphasis on participation by persons of low and moderate incomewho are residents of public housing as well as the Citys targeted areas(South Medford, Wellington, Medford Square, Glenwood, West Medford, andHillside). The City shall contact various agencies and groups representing

citizens, who collectively are otherwise disadvantaged, at high risk, or incrisis circumstances such as the elderly, disabled, homeless, children, etc.

In order that these individuals and community groups may contributeto the planning and development of proposals for Program activities,technical assistance will be provided. The Office, through publicadvertisement and direct contact of community groups and agencies, shalloffer this assistance annually for a week through appointments with adesignated Office of Community Development staff person.

Public Meetings in Development of Program Year 4 Action Plan

The planning and citizen participation activities for these plans generallybegin in December or January of the preceding fiscal year, utilizingcommunity outreach meetings. These meetings are conducted for thepurpose of soliciting public comment and include information for projectproposals relative to community needs and program priorities for the firstannual plan. Groups active in areas which use or could use resources weremade aware of the process, by advertisements and public notices.

The meetings, widely advertised throughout the City, include three significantcomponents:

1) a brief explanation of the Consolidated Plan process, including the roleof the Plan in making allocations and guiding the selection of projectsto be funded;

2) a report on prior year activities and progress on 5-year goals;3) a forum for the general public to brainstorm and discuss priority needs

for the City for the coming years.


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Public hearing minutes are available upon request and commentsreceived (if any) are summarized in the section below. In addition to thesebroader public forums, additional technical assistance is provided to assistpeople with the preparation of proposals for funding and if requested.

Refer to Page 29 for a list of meetings held.

Organizations and Municipal Departments Contacted and Consultedin Preparation of the Program Year 4 Plan

In addition to meetings, organizations were contacted through surveysand interviews as described in the prior section Managing the Process.

Once proposals have been submitted, reviewed and tentativelyselected, this information is blended with the public-driven needsassessments for the City and a draft Annual Action Plan is developed. Thesedraft plans are made available (usually on or around April 1st), in the Officeof Community Development and on the City website for public review andcomment for a period of thirty days. Any comments received are addressedand where appropriate, included in the final plans which are then submittedto HUD for approval in May of each year.

The draft Plans were made available on April 12, 2013 at theCommunity Development Office of the City of Medford located at Room 308,City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155. The draft planswere also available online atwww.medford.organd by request during the 30-day public comment period.

2. Provide a summary of citizen comments or views on the plan.The City of Medford received a wide range of public comments during

preparation of the Consolidated Plan and Fourth Program Year Action Plan.Residents, service providers and municipal employees and officials activelyparticipated in meetings and hearings throughout the planning process.Senior services were identified as a clear need in the community. Manyelderly residents expressed support for transportation services (principally formedical transportation, shopping and social activities), home nursing visits,and the range of services and activities provided through the Senior Center.The need for assisted living facilities and eviction protection services (legal

aid) for seniors was also highlighted. Housing affordability issues, especiallyfor seniors, was also highlighted as a major concern by many residents.Significant increases in housing sales prices and steady increases in rentalcosts make it increasingly difficult for households across income ranges from30 percent of median income up to middle-class residents seeking topurchase their first homes.

Residents and service providers expressed support for a range ofservices offered in Medford. Residents with developmental disabilities
http://www.medford.org/http://www.medford.org/http://www.medford.org/http://www.medford.org/


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benefit from recreational activities and services that reduce isolation andprovide other benefits. The City of Medford was also urged to continueparticipation in the Tri-City Continuum of Care and investments that canreduce incidence of homelessness and assist the transition to permanentaffordable housing. Those speaking on homeless issues also stronglysupported increased production of affordable housing, particularly unitstargeted at extremely low and very low incomes.

The City of Medford believes that it has incorporated all of thecomments received during the preparation and approval of the Program Year4 Action Plan in a good faith manner. Given scarce public and nonprofitresources, it is difficult to allocate sufficient resources to meet the maximumneed that exists, particularly in the public services and infrastructure areas.However, the needs assessments, strategies and objectives contained in theProgram Year 4 Action Plan reflect the concerns noted above.

3. Provide a summary of efforts made to broaden public participation in thedevelopment of the consolidated plan, including outreach to minoritiesand non-English speaking persons, as well as persons with disabilities.

In order to fully inform citizens of the proposed Program Year 4 ActionPlan, the following information will be made available upon request, at theOffice of Community Development, Room 308; the amount of assistance the

jurisdiction expects to receive and the range of activities that may beundertaken, including the amount that will benefit persons of very low andlow income and the plans to minimize displacement of persons and to assistany persons displaced.

A summary of the proposed consolidated plan and/or one-year actionplan will be published in a newspaper with local circulation and will include adescription of the contents and purpose of these plans and a list of locationswhere copies of the entire plan may be examined. By this process, the Officeof Community Development will notify citizens, or units of general localgovernment, as appropriate, of the availability of these plans as adopted andany amendments as these documents are developed, to afford citizens areasonable opportunity to examine the contents. A period of not less than30 days will be provided to receive comments from citizens, or units ofgeneral local government, on the plan and amendments that are to besubmitted to HUD before its submission. Citizens, public agencies, and otherinterested parties will have reasonable and timely access to these plans and

the City of Medfords use of assistance under the programs covered duringthe preceding five years.

After dissemination of the Consolidated Plan and/or annual planinformation, as well as technical assistance, the City will hold at least twopublic hearings per year to obtain citizens views that will be conducted at a

minimum of two different stages of the program year. Together, thehearings will address housing and community development needs,


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development of proposed activities, and a review of program performance.At least one of these hearings will be held before the proposed consolidatedplan and/or action plan is published for comment to obtain the views ofcitizens on housing and community development needs, including prioritynon-housing community development needs. Hearing(s) may be held withone or more members of the other communities that comprise the NorthSuburban Consortium.

In cases where notice of a public hearing is required, this notice shallbe given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the City notless than fourteen (14) days before the day of the hearing, and by postingthis notice in the Office of City Clerk for a period of not less than forty-eighthours before the time of such meeting.

If requested a minimum of three (3) days prior or if anticipated that asignificant number of non-English speaking residents can be reasonablyexpected to participate in public meetings or participate in the planning and

evaluation process of the Consolidated Plan, an interpreter will be secured.Similarly, if a reasonable request for accommodations is made, an interpreterwill be secured. Also, the hearings will be held at times and locationsconvenient to potential and actual beneficiaries, and with theaccommodations for persons with disabilities.

A summary of the proposed Consolidated Annual Performance andEvaluation Report will be published in a newspaper with local circulat

Action Plan YR4 July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014

Documents

Transcript of Action Plan YR4 July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014