The City of New London, with a 1990 population of 28,540, is located in southeastern Connecticut. The City comprising only 6.2 square miles of land area is home to a diverse population in a densely populated urban coastal setting. New London is located midway between Boston, Massachusetts and New York City. Interstate Route 95, which intersects the City provides easy access into the City as well as to other areas in the northeastern United States. New London is long and narrow in shape with approximately 9 miles of shoreline forming its eastern border with the Thames River. The Long Island Sound forms the City's southern border. New London is the home of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut College, Mitchell College, and the U.S. Naval Underwater Systems Center. The Town of Groton located across the Thames River to the east of the City is home to the U.S. Naval Submarine Base and the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics which designs, builds and overhauls submarines for the U.S. Navy. The New London area is one of the most defense-dependent regions in the United States.
The purpose of the Consolidated Submission for Community Planning and Development Programs is that each community prepare a consolidated plan and strategy which combines the planning and application components of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Housing Opportunities for Person with AIDS (HOPWA) programs with the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) requirements. Currently, New London only receives a CDBG entitlement, therefore, its consolidated submission replaces the City's CHAS, its Community Development Plan and its CDBG final statement. New London's Consolidated Plan contains a description of the City's housing and community development needs; a strategic plan which outlines goals and priorities to address the City's identified needs; and an Action Plan for the program year beginning July 1, 1995. The City's CDBG allocation for the 1995/1996 program year is $1,289,000.
The development of the City's draft Consolidated Plan resulted from input received as part of the citizen participation process and consultations with other entities. On January 14 and 20, 1995 an open letter to the citizens of New London was published in the New London Day. This letter briefly outlined the Consolidated Plan process and solicited citizen input and comments. A listing of public information meetings and public hearings was also published as part of this letter. Four public information meetings were held at various locations in the community to describe the Consolidated Plan process and to request input on housing and community development needs, programs and activities. Public meetings were also held as part of the formal application process for CDBG funds. Citizens were given the opportunity to discuss housing and community development needs and to propose activities to meet those needs at these meetings.
On February 6, 1995, the City Council and the Citizens Advisory Committee held a joint public hearing to discuss Community Development needs and specific activities to address such needs. In addition to the discussion of needs, information was provided regarding the CDBG program, the projected amount of funds to be received under the program, eligible activities and past use of CDBG funds.
On March 10, 1995 the City published a Notice of Availability for Review of the Proposed Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan. This notice contained a summary of the Proposed Consolidated Plan; proposed projects and funding allocations for the FY 1995 program year beginning July 1, 1995; the locations where the document was available for review; and the date of the Public Hearing on the Plan. Copies of the Proposed Consolidated Plan were available for review at the New London Public Library, the City Clerk's Office and the Office of Development and Planning. Copies of the Plan were also given to agencies, departments and individuals consulted during the Plan preparation process, the City's Community Representative at HUD and the Regional Planning Agency.
A public hearing to hear comments on the Proposed Consolidated Plan was held
on March 20, 1995 in the City Council chambers. No substantive comments were
received on the contents of the Consolidated Plan document at the public
hearing. However, individuals and representatives of various organizations used
the public hearing as a forum to either thank the City Council for their funding
consideration in the Action Plan or to reiterate their funding need in instances
where programs were not included in the proposed funding allocations. The final
Consolidated Plan reflects comments and suggestions received as part of the
Citizen Participation process.
Racial/ Ethnic Minority Concentrations - According to 1990 Census statistics the City of New London had a total population of 28,540. Within this population , 69.3% were Non-Hispanic White, 15.8% were Non-Hispanic Black, 12.1% were Hispanic, and the remaining 2.8% were from other racial groups including American Indians, Asians, Pacific Islanders, etc. Six of the City's nine Census Tracts have more than a 30% concentration of racial or ethnic minorities.
Low - and Moderate - Income Population Concentrations - According to figures prepared by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 55 percent of New London's population is of low- or moderate- income. As determined by HUD, those areas with more than 51 percent of its population of low- and moderate- income are targeted areas for community development activities. Six of the City's nine Census Tracts have over 51 percent low- and moderate- income populations.
Housing Market Conditions - Roughly 50 percent of the housing units in the
city were built prior to 1940 indicating that rehabilitation will continue to be
a major need based on normal deterioration. In 1980, the Census indicated a
total of 11,411 housing units in the City. In 1990, the Census indicated 11,970
housing units or an increase of 559 units. This is attributable to various
factors, including conversion of 1 and 2-family units to 3, 4 and more units as
well as some new construction of single family homes. Of the 11,970 housing
units in the City, there is a total of 10,712 occupied housing units. Of these
occupied units 3,954 are owner-occupied and 6,758 renter occupied. Census
statistics for 1990 indicate 1,258 vacant housing units, an increase of 308 from
1980 statistics. The homeowner vacancy rate is 2.3%, while the rental vacancy
rate is 10.4%.
The housing needs for extremely low, low, and moderate income households identified in the Consolidated Plan were also included in the New London CHAS for Fiscal Year 1994. These housing needs were analyzed and developed using the CHAS Databook supplied to each participating municipality by HUD. The CHAS Databook contained special cross tabulations of 1990 Census data, prepared jointly by the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which quantified the number and extent of households with housing problems. The definition used for 'housing problems' was a non-duplicative count of households 1) occupying units with physical defects (lacking complete kitchen or bathroom facilities); 2)living in overcrowded conditions (more than one person per room); 3) having a housing cost burden, including utilities, exceeding 30% of gross income; or 4) having a severe housing cost burden, including utilities, exceeding 50% of gross income. Based upon the statistics provided, the primary housing problem in New London is cost burden or housing affordability. This is especially true for extremely low households (those earning 0 to 30% of the median family income) and low income households (those earning between 31 to 50% of the median family income).
Extremely Low Income Households - Statistics show that 67% of all extremely low income households (those earning 0 to 30% of the median family income) in New London paid more than 30% of their annual gross income for housing and utilities. Most of the extremely low income households experiencing a cost burden were renter households. Although it was estimated that only 134 extremely low income owner-occupant households resided in the City in 1990, most of these households (93) were occupied by elderly homeowners.
Low Income Households - Sixty-three percent (63%) of all low income households (those earning 31 to 50% of the median family income) experienced a housing cost burden of 30% or more of their annual gross income. Most of these households were renters. Of the cost burdened owner occupant households, most were elderly households.
Moderate Income Households - Moderate income households are defined as those earning between 51 to 80% of the median family income. In 1990, it was estimated that 44% of these households paid more than 30% of their income for housing. Almost three-quarters of these households were renter households. More owner households than renter households were severely cost burdened in this income category. All of the severely cost burdened owner households were elderly households.
The City has found that the cost of rehabilitation of homeowner units frequently exceeds the means of homeowners whose incomes fall below the median and whose only asset is their property. Statistics show that a high percentage of the homeowner households experiencing cost burden problems were elderly homeowners many of whom live on fixed incomes. There is a specific need to assist these elderly homeowners in making improvements to their homes. Such improvements will not only help to preserve the housing stock but will also assist long time residents of the City.
The high incidence of cost burden on lower income renter households indicates a need for more affordable rental housing. Renter-occupied housing problem statistics show that lower income renter households need assistance in meeting monthly housing payments and in obtaining decent, affordable housing. Property rehabilitation, especially the rehabilitation of vacant units is needed to provide decent, affordable housing. There is also a continuing need for tenant-based rental assistance particularly for households with the lowest income levels.
Housing statistics for the City reveal that there is an increasing number of vacant units. There is a need to assist in returning these vacant units to the housing market. Such assistance will help stabilize the City's neighborhoods, increase the availability of decent housing and provide a mix of housing types to meet the needs of City residents. There is a need not only to assist renter-occupants but to also convert appropriate renter units to owner-occupant units and to provide first time homebuyer assistance. This would help strengthen and diversify the resident-mix in the City's low-and-moderate-income neighborhoods and provide incentives for families to remain in or return to New London. Residents of owner-occupied units can provide a more permanent, productive and supportive influence on the community.
The 1990 U.S. Census S night counts recorded 30 people in emergency shelters for the homeless, 11 people in shelters for abused women and 1 person unsheltered and visible in street locations. These figures are consistent with the number of beds available in the homeless and battered women's shelters in the City.
In an attempt to further quantify the needs of the homeless, statistics on the number of homeless clients served by the homeless shelter, the battered women's shelter, and the local soup kitchen were compiled. The State of Connecticut Department of Social Services keeps statistics on the City's family homeless shelter - - Covenant Shelter. According to the State statistics, the Covenant Shelter served 304 different clients during the 93/94 Federal Fiscal Year - - 187 single adults and 117 members of 42 families. Age characteristics show that 41 of the Shelter's clients were children Under 5 years of age, 27 were between the ages of 6 and 12, and 6 were between the ages of 13 and 17. If repeat clients are taken into account (duplicative count), 661 individuals were served by Covenant Shelter during a one year period. Over the course of the year, during peak shelter usage, 182 clients could not be provided shelter due to a lack of available beds. Most of these individuals were sent to other homeless shelters. The Covenant Shelter is a private nonprofit organization whose board members consist of area clergy. There are 21 beds for families and 14 beds for individual males. Families may stay up to 56 days and singles up to 14 days.
The Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut operates a 15 bed emergency shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence and their children. During 1994, the Women's Center provided emergency shelter to 73 women and their 112 children.
Discussions with the Salvation Army, the City's Welfare Department and the Health and Welfare Community Center of New London which operates the local soup kitchen reveal that an estimated 8 to 10 individuals in the City are chronically homeless or unsheltered homeless. These individuals all of which appear to have mental disabilities reside under bridges or in other public spaces. The soup kitchen also estimates an additional 40 to 60 persons, which they serve regularly, often seek shelter in vacant buildings, hallways, parks, cars, etc. According to discussions with local housing service providers, it can be estimated that over 100 households are precariously housed - - those who are doubling up with friends or relatives or living in other temporary situations because they do not have permanent housing of their own -- and threatened with potential homelessness.
There are also several soup kitchens in the City which offer free meals to homeless and other needy individuals. These are operated by Community Health & Welfare Ministries, the Trinity Mission Church and the Salvation Army. All of these programs are supported by volunteer labor and donations. Some City support is provided through the Community Development Block Grant program to the Health & Welfare Ministries. Food pantries, which distribute donated and surplus food to individuals and families in need are located at Community Health and Welfare Ministries and the Salvation Army.
The City currently has one transitional housing facility (Phoenix House) for women who were victims of domestic violence and their children There are nine transitional apartments. The apartments operate at 100% occupancy and there is a waiting list of 5 to 10 families at any given time. Due to the nature of the Phoenix House transitional program, which is an intensive two-year program which requires women to complete an educational or job skills training program and participate in special counseling and education classes geared toward obtaining self-sufficiency for their families, the wait for unit openings can vary from six months to one year or more.
SECAP currently manages 10 scattered site housing units in New London for occupancy by persons with AIDS/HIV and their families. SECAP also implements a rental assistance/subsidy program. Under this program, clients pay 30% of their income into a program fund and SECAP pays their monthly rent. SECAP is working toward developing working relationships with landlords to develop a network of available, appropriate and affordable housing units for occupancy by their clients. Optimally, SECAP would like to develop a housing facility which provides housing and support services under one roof to provide a continuum of care and meet the needs of persons at all stages of AIDS.
The Southeastern Council of Alcohol and Drug Dependence (SCADD) has a number of facilities to support persons with drug or alcohol dependencies. Outpatient detoxification and counselling and a 20 bed emergency detox facility are located at their Coit Street address in New London. SCADD also operates three (3) halfway houses for persons enrolled in their detox programs. The halfway houses include a 12 bed facility for women on Bank Street in New London, a 10 bed facility for men on Howard Street in New London and a 12 bed facility for men in Norwich. Long- term acute care is also provided by SCADD at its 120 bed Lebanon Pines facility in Lebanon.
Discussions with local housing and social service providers revealed a need for additional transitional housing for homeless families and individuals. Such facilities would provide a variety of support services (education, life skills counseling, job readiness training and referral programs) to help the homeless learn to help themselves and break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. The success of the Phoenix House transitional program reveals that this approach -- shelter combined with the necessary support services -- can help reduce homelessness. However, New London believes that it has done its fair share in providing facilities for supportive housing -- surrounding communities and others in the county must begin to bear their share of this burden, as well.
New London has 1,705 publicly assisted rental units. Of these units, 845 units are administered by the Housing Authority of the City of New London (NLPHA). The NLPHA units are comprised of 302 units of State assisted family townhouse developments; a State Elderly 130 unit highrise and two elderly developments of 38 and 42 units respectively. Additional Federally subsidized units are comprised of a 124 unit family highrise and a 100 unit elderly highrise. The remaining 860 publicly subsidized units are privately managed and operated and are comprised of two elderly highrises of 120 and 147 units, three family developments of 204, 86 and 294 units and one 9-unit facility used for transitional housing.
According to the December 31, 1994 statistics, there are 94 households on the waiting list for the State assisted family housing administered by the PHA. Ten applicants are on the list for three bedroom units and 84 are waiting for two bedroom units. There are 24 applicants on the waiting list for Federally subsidized family housing and 9 applicants waiting to be transferred to larger units. Six (6) families are waiting for one bedroom units, 8 for two bedroom units, 5 for three bedroom units and 5 for four bedroom units. The waiting list for both the State and Federally assisted elderly housing is 26 (21 for efficiency and 5 for one bedroom units). According to March, 1995 statistics for the other publicly assisted housing developments there are 180 households on the waiting list for family units and 36 for elderly units.
The New London Public Housing Authority administers 114 Section 8 Certificates and/or Vouchers for use in the private market. As of January, 1995 all but three (3) Vouchers and three (3) certificates were on lease. There are currently 25 households on the waiting list for Section 8 Vouchers and Certificates. Due to minimal turn-over and the lack of available units the Housing Authority had closed its waiting list to new applicants. Therefore, the25 households do not reflect the true level of need for Section 8, but indicate those households who have been waiting for housing for more than one year.
Evidence suggests that the need for construction of additional public housing or supportive units is limited to certain targeted groups such as the frail elderly or special needs populations. Also, the increasing number of families paying more than 30% of their income for rent, the increasing number of families on waiting lists for publicly assisted housing who cannot afford to live in State assisted units and the high vacancy rate in the private market, indicate that the need for rental assistance in the form of vouchers and certificates is far greater than that which is currently available. Since New London already bears a disproportionate share of families and individuals receiving public assistance, public housing units, transitional housing, homeless shelter beds and other social services, it does not plan to take on an additional share of this burden. It plans to only support new programs if they are developed on a regional basis with neighboring communities willing to assume their fair share of the burden as well.
The City recognizes that there is a growing need for specialized supportive housing for Special Needs populations. Although the City does not support the development of new assisted housing or homeless shelters it is willing to provide the support services necessary to provide a continuum of care to homeless and other special needs populations to help break the cycle of homelessness. Education, counseling, job training and other support programs to benefit families and individuals who are currently homeless or threatened with homelessness in the City will continue to be one of the New London's social service priorities.
New London has little vacant land available for new residential development. A land use survey conducted by City staff in 1992 revealed that of the total land area available in the City, only 258.61 acres of residentially zoned land( 7.1% of the City's total) is vacant. A good portion of this vacant land has serious limitations for development.
According to the 1990 Census, 7,802 or 61% of the total housing units in the City were built prior to 1959 and an additional 2,583 were constructed between 1960 and 1979 for a total of 10,385 dwelling units. While the majority of these buildings are structurally sound, their age warrants the need for increasing levels of maintenance, rehabilitation and modernization. Although a substantial amount of vacant buildings suitable for rehabilitation exists in the City, there is not an appropriate entity to rehab these units and make them available for low- and moderate- income housing. The fact that New London does not have a nonprofit housing developer (i.e., NHS-Neighborhood Housing Services) is a barrier to the creation of affordable housing units from existing housing stock.
As previously discussed, the number of assisted housing units in the City is indicative of the major commitment made by the citizens of New London to meet affordable housing needs. The majority of these units are project based indicating a limited need for further assisted housing development. By comparison the total amount of tenant based assistance is low. Given the increasing number of vacant units, it is advantageous and cost effective to address the need for affordable rental units through tenant based rental assistance. This will better utilize existing housing stock without creating the development expense inherent in the creation of new public housing. Staff constraints and limited funding have made it difficult to develop a Family Self-Sufficiency Program which is necessary for obtaining additional Section 8 tenant-based assistance through HUD.
To date, there has not been a comprehensive assessment of lead-based paint hazards conducted in the City. The New London Department of Health does have a Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program which provides assessment and follow-up on children diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels. The Department of Health provides education, outreach and lead-paint testing services to residents of the City upon specific request or in response to reports of elevated blood lead levels. In addition to testing and lead paint assessment, the Department of Health also provides lead poisoning prevention literature and information on abatement. According to conversations with staff of the health department there have been a number of active cases over the past few years with children with elevated blood lead levels in the City. The majority of these cases are within the City's low-and-moderate-income neighborhoods.
In order to estimate the number of housing units in New London occupied by low and very low income households that contain lead-based paint hazards, 1990 Census data, the CHAS databook and the CHAS training manual supplied by HUD were utilized. The data includes the number of housing units occupied by very low and other low income households grouped by year of construction (pre-1940, 1940 - 1959 and 1960 - 1979). To estimate the number of units occupied by lower income households containing lead-based paint, national statistics provided by HUD estimating the percentage of older units likely to have lead-based paint were used. These calculations resulted in an estimate that 3,257 renter occupied units and 793 owner-occupied units, occupied by lower income households potentially contain lead-based paint.
Public Improvements and Facilities Needs - Founded in 1646, and experiencing the majority of its construction prior to 1950, the City of New London, like most urban centers in the Northeast, is faced with the physical problems of an aging building stock and antiquated public improvements. Coupled with its aging infrastructure is the fact that over 50% of the City's total property value is non-taxable which limits the City's tax base and resources to address these needs. As the urban center of Southeastern Connecticut, New London also provides a disproportionate share of social services to low- and moderate- income individuals in the region. The provision of these services also limits the availability of local resources to provide infrastructure and other public facility improvements as needed.
Although the City's older building stock does require a substantial amount of upkeep, it also provides historical and aesthetic interest to the community. To maintain this building stock and preserve its past there is a need to maintain buildings and other landmarks of historical interest. As part of this preservation, there is a need to make both code- related and structural improvements as well as exterior improvements to preserve the City's historical environment. The removal of architectural barriers, so these older buildings can be utilized by all segments of the population, is also necessary.
The City remains committed to providing adequate facilities to meet recreation, education and social service needs of its residents. Parks, playgrounds, senior centers, youth centers, and other such improvements are needed to meet the needs of New London residents. Street, sidewalk, curbing and handicapped ramping replacement and installation are also necessary requirements. Beautification improvements, neighborhood clean-up campaigns and other revitalization efforts also form an integral part of the City's revitalization and redevelopment activities. These activities provide visual and effective measures of success.
Public Service Needs - As the central city of southeastern Connecticut, New London provides the majority of the region's low- and moderate- income housing, public housing, and social services programs. As described previously, 55 percent of New London's population falls within the low- and moderate- income level. A high percentage of this population segment utilizes the various social service programs which exist in the city.
During the Consolidated Plan needs assessment and development process, and through past community development experience it was apparent that there is a significant need for a variety of social service programs. Programs to educate youth, provide day care and after school care and provide recreational opportunities were mentioned by many parents and youth development advocates. Senior services, health care services and other supportive services are needed to support the City's growing elderly population and special needs population. Continuum of care, life skills training and education services (job training and household management) are all needed to help break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Through its CDBG Program and through programs offered by the Welfare Department the City has supported activities to meet the needs of its population. These activities address many of the City's emergency social service needs and provide for an informal network for families and individuals to move to Self- Sufficiency. However, the NHPHA does not have a formalized Family Self-Sufficiency Program as advocated by HUD.
Economic Development Needs - In March, 1992 the City of New London
completed an Overall Economic Development Plan which forms the basis of its
current strategies and program development. As part of the Overall Economic
Development Plan process, the committee responsible for the plan's development
identified a series of issues and needs. Goals, objectives and strategies were
formulated to address these needs. The major goals are to increase employment
opportunities and broaden the City's economic base; to ensure safe, clean and
prosperous commercial development of the City's Central Business District; to
improve utilization, development and maintenance of the City's multi-modal
transportation center as a means to facilitate local and regional economic
development strategies; to respect existing and planned patterns of land use
development by improving the aesthetics of streets and highways while achieving
the safe and efficient movement of people and goods within and through the City;
to provide quality of life necessary to retain and attract a diversity of people
and businesses to the City which will provide needed employment opportunities
for residents; to establish a comprehensive, coordinated direction for the City
of New London which recognizes the assets of an urban multicultural community;
and to expand the City's revenue base in order to improve the City's ability to
provide essential services.
The City's overall priority for its Housing and Community Development Strategy and Plan is the stabilization of its existing population and the revitalization of its neighborhoods. The City strongly believes that grass roots efforts and neighborhood/ resident-based activities would be most beneficial to its revitalization. Over the past several years the City has been experiencing neighborhood deterioration due to its older housing stock, costly eviction processes, lack of adequate resources for physical improvements, the flight of permanent residents to other areas of the state or country, and the effects which result from the burden of providing the majority of the region's supportive housing and social services to low-and-moderate income persons. Through the creation and support of active neighborhood groups; intensive and comprehensive rehabilitation and revitalization activities; attraction of productive/ self supporting households back to the City and the provision of the necessary support programs to existing residents, the City hopes to re-establish its strength and vitality. Healthy neighborhoods and families will lead to a stronger City.
The City of New London is committed to the objectives of the community development program to provide decent housing, create a suitable living environment and expand economic opportunities for low, very low and extremely low- income residents. It will focus program resources towards activities which revitalize neighborhoods through infrastructure and public and neighborhood facility improvements, housing rehabilitation, lead abatement and historic preservation, elimination of architectural barriers, economic development and public service activities which improve the lives of residents.
Objectives
The following objectives were developed by the City of New London as part of its Community Development Block Grant program. The objectives are utilized during the funding allocation and program implementation process to ensure that the resources received for housing and community development activities meet the needs of City residents and work toward the City's mission statement and projected goals. The City's long term housing and community development objectives are as follows:
The City of New London has become the central community in the region which provides a wide array of social services particularly for individuals and families who's income fall at or below the federal poverty standards. Some of the programs which the City Council has funded and will continue to fund relate directly to employment training and counselling and other such services which prepare persons to compete in the workforce. The City Council has approved an overall Economic Development Plan which sets forth a number of goals, objectives and strategies which will provide the basis for attracting businesses and industry thus increasing the City's tax base and providing employment opportunities for residents. Additionally, it has an established Enterprise Zone Program, which was recently expanded to include the entire Central Business District and large acreage suitable for commercial and industrial development. The City Council has submitted an application which was approved to establish a Foreign Trade Zone. Funds provided by the State of Connecticut to establish a Maritime Heritage Park System with construction of a building which will serve both a maritime museum and tourist information center are one of the strategies identified in the OEDP which will establish tourist industry in the City. This is accomplished through the City Council administrative arm, the Office of Development and Planning which combines community and economic development with planning and zoning functions. The development of the OceanQuest Science and Learning Centers and the construction of a restaurant and conference center will increase employment opportunities, boost tourism and add to the City's economic tax base.
The preparation of the New London Consolidated Housing and Community
Development Strategy and Plan is the result of a collaborative effort between
government/ public agencies, housing and community development groups, social
service providers and interested citizens. The City of New London Office of
Development and Planning served as Lead Agency in coordinating the consultation,
planning and submission components. As Lead Agency, the Office of Development
and Planning organized numerous meetings and/or consultations with housing
providers and those involved with housing and community development issues;
reviewed existing plans and documents outlining needs, plans and programs in the
City; and held specific consultations with social service agencies regarding the
housing needs of children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, homeless
persons, children identified as lead-poisoned, and other special needs
populations. The Office of Development and Planning was assisted during the
Community Development Block Grant process by the Citizens Advisory Committee
(CAC) and City Council Public Welfare liaison. The Citizens Advisory Committee
is comprised of five residents of the city who are actively involved in the
assessment and determination of community development needs, establishment of
funding priorities and on-going monitoring and program implementation. The
Citizens Advisory Committee provides an important link between the City
administration, the City Council and the community at large. The Office of
Development and Planning, the City Council and the Citizens Advisory Committee
(CAC) maintains open communication lines with the various agencies and
nonprofit organizations that also deal with housing and community development
issues. Meetings are called on an as-needed basis in order to coordinate
proposed activities and funding sources, as well as to evaluate policies as they
affect the provision of affordable housing and other necessary community
development programs.
During the July 1, 1995 - June 30, 1996 Fiscal Year the City of New London will have the following Housing and Community Development Resources through its CDBG Program.
| CDBG Allocation: | $1,289,000 |
| Unexpended CDBG FY19 Funds: | $ 100,000 |
| $1,389,000 |
The City will also receive an estimated $145,000 in program income from loan repayments under the Housing Conservation Program Revolving Loan Fund. These funds, as in the past, will be reallocated to the Housing Conservation Program Loan Fund account.
The City received 32 requests for CDBG funding during the application process which occurred during November and December, 1994. Applications were reviewed and applicants were given the opportunity to present their needs and programs during meetings and public hearings held during January and February, 1995. As part of the application review and funding allocation process 24 individual programs/activities were selected for funding. These projects were selected based upon the City's housing and community development priorities and objectives and the amount of funds available. Projects selected for funding include:
| Program/Activity | Funding Amount |
|---|---|
| Public Facilities & Improvements | |
| RENEW - Neighborhood Revitalization | $272,367 |
| Martin Center (Social Service/ Senior Center) | $115,500 |
| Public Services | |
| Maternal/ Child Health | $12,000 |
| Home Health Aide Services | $5,000 |
| Spanish American Program | $25,000 |
| After-school Education Program | $5,000 |
| One to One Friendships Program | $5,000 |
| Employment Training Program | $25,000 |
| Retired & Senior Volunteer Program | $2,000 |
| Learning & Resource Program | $5,000 |
| Senior Citizen Center | $151,000 |
| Youth Services Bureau | $20,000 |
| Lead Poisoning Prevention Program | $36,195 |
| Teen Father Program | $15,000 |
| Education of Homeless children | $2,000 |
| Housing Support Program | $6,000 |
| Reading is Fundamental | $6,000 |
| Literacy Volunteers of America | $5,000 |
| Community Health Center | $12,800 |
| Disposition | $14,738 |
| Removal of Architectural Barriers | $100,000 |
| Rehabilitation & Preservation | |
| Housing Conservation Program | $278,200 |
| Library Building Restoration | $70,000 |
| Economic Development | $35,000 |
| Administration & Planning | $166,200 |
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects; in addition: a table provides information about the project(s).
MAP 6 depicts neighborhood streets and proposed HUD funded projects, as described in the table under MAP 5.
