The City of Malden's 1995 Consolidated Plan constitutes a strategic vision for housing and community development for the city. This document summarizes the plan so that citizens in the community can have a quick overview of the housing and community development problems; the 5 year broad objectives and actions proposed to meet those goals; and specific projects for carrying out this strategy during 1995.
The Consolidated Plan includes a 1-year action plan for 28 specific projects, spending approximately $ 1.8 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in 1995. Those funds will be spent on housing rehabilitation, public services, public works, planning and administration.
Six public hearings were scheduled this year. Four hearings
were held in
February (6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th) for input specifically
dedicated to Malden's
Community Development Block Grant. The hearings were advertised
in three local
newspapers of general circulation generally two weeks before the
public hearing
dates. A public hearing occurred on March 30 at Malden's
Government Center to
receive input and obtain citizens' views on the Consortium's
Consolidated Plan.
This public hearing was advertised two weeks prior in all seven
communities
comprising the North Suburban Consortium.
Real estate values peaked in the 1980's. Incomes of the residents of the City of Malden did not keep up with the rising real estate prices, and their ability to purchase homes and/or rent housing declined. The poor economy has caused real estate values to drop and contributes to a different social and economic lifestyle which affects real estate values and sales.
The City has supported the only homeless/transitional housing organization in the jurisdiction, Tri-City Housing Task Force for Homeless Families, Inc., with continued annual CDBG funding of administrative costs as well as contributing in-kind service in the form of technical and legal assistance for HOME funded permanent housing projects. The City does not have staff experienced in counseling and assessing the needs of the homeless, persons with HIV/AIDs and the mentally disabled. The City is committed to assisting those organizations who step forward to properly address the needs of the homeless and its special needs population.
The Malden Housing Authority (MHA) has applied for 25 additional Section 8 certificates, (13 two bedroom / 12 three bedroom) in this current fiscal year. The certificates are valued at $175,000. This is in keeping with MHA's continued commitment to the residents of Malden by providing more Section 8 certificates to help alleviate its expanding waiting list for public housing. Eight to twelve public housing units will be utilized for transitional housing complete with support services. The goal is to assimilate previously homeless residents into public housing within the fiscal year.
Malden's special needs population has been supported by MHA's Section 8 certificates as well as utilization of federal and state housing units. The City and MHA will attempt to seek out additional federal and/or state funding to accomplish increased rental assistance as well as support the efforts of other public service organizations.
The City of Malden Housing Rehabilitation Program, which is conducted through the Malden Redevelopment Authority, expects to provide approximately 80 housing rehab loans in the coming year for a total of about 110 dwelling units, 85% of which should service up to 80% Median Family Income residents.
Tri-City Community Action will be receiving approximately $90,000 from the Department of Energy to assist very low and low income Malden residents to weatherize their apartments and homes.
One of the barriers to affordable housing in the City of Malden was the boom in real estate values which peaked in the mid 1980's. Malden residents incomes did not keep up with their ability to purchase homes and/or rent apartments and stay within their community. The poor economy is now responsible for a reduction in real estate values and contributes to a different social and economic lifestyle which has an effect on the vacancy rate and thus a soft real estate market both in sales and rentals.
The lack of public land available in this densely developed urban community is an impediment that is difficult to overcome. Public policies will continue to be reviewed and the City is committed to opening the community and addressing needs and concerns of new minorities relocating to Malden in order to avoid concentrations in certain neighborhoods.
The availability of Federal and State funds to assist in rental and/or rehabilitation limits the City's ability to create more affordable housing opportunities for its very low, low and moderate income residents.
Malden Redevelopment Authority (MRA) received a $4 million federal Lead-Based Paint Abatement Grant. During the next two fiscal years (FY'95 & FY'96) the city intends to de-lead at least 350 dwelling units in targeted areas. The city will offer to both owner occupied and investor owned properties low cost loans, and program income should generate continuous recycled funding, so that more units can be treated.
In addition, the City, through the MRA, has received a grant in the amount of $150,000 from the State to de-lead another 48 units in a specific targeted area.
This comprehensive program will also involve Malden Hospital for blood testing, the Malden Public Schools, and Tri-City Community Action for public education and other public service agencies to combat this insidious hazard.
The city plans to increase the benefit to very low, low, and other low income persons. A priority exists for delivery of meaningful services to citizens in these income categories.
The City of Malden will continue to support its fine network of public service organizations by allocating approximately $300,000 in CDBG funds. The City plans to dedicate CDBG and other State funding to revitalize low and moderate income neighborhoods by rebuilding streets and sidewalks, plant trees, rebuild neighborhood parks and remove architectural barriers.
The City plans to create jobs for low income residents by
supporting
activities that invite existing companies to expand or attract
new businesses to
either start or relocate within the community and promote its
downtown as a
thriving inviting core of economic activity. A cooperative
effort is currently
underway with Medford and Everett to construct a $ 100 Million
Communications/Technology Park in the lower Commercial Street
area. The State
has committed $26 million for infrastructure and transportation
improvements in
this area. A Bio-Medical Park is planned on the border of the
former Suffolk Square
Urban Renewal Area, less than 1 mile east of Malden's downtown.
This effort
includes an application of $500,000 from the State in the form
of a Community Development Action Grant
(CDAG) for infrastructure improvements and expansion of an
existing firm, Charm
Sciences, Inc. The City hopes to attract other quality
bio-medical firms to the
proposed park.
Strategic goals for the City of Malden include:
These goals are guided by the availability of federal, state and city funding and principally benefit low to moderate income residents within the city. In order to accomplish these goals, partnerships must be strengthened between government and the private sector. The tasks include for-profit as well as nonprofit organizations. Concessions must be negotiated and leveraged and in-kind contributions sought.
Housing rehabilitation
More than $1.2 million in CDBG funding, $1 million in private funding and approximately $400,000 in HOME funding have been allocated for this important program which promotes affordabilty with low cost home improvement loans, arrests blight within the community and provides assistance in lead-based paint abatement. The City also received a HUD $4 million Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Grant, a program that over a period of two years targets abatement of 350 dwelling units in the city.
The City of Malden's goal is to increase the number of dwelling units rehabed by 100 during this five-year strategy.
The City is participating in the North Suburban Consortium's 1st Time Homebuyers Program. This heavily subsidized program will be designed to meet the needs of only those residents whose income is at or below 80% MFI.
The City plans to dedicate CDBG and other state funding to revitalize low and moderate income neighborhoods by rebuilding streets and sidewalks, plant trees, rebuild neighborhood parks and remove architectural barriers.
A goal of the city is to decrease the number of poverty-level families by:
the continuance of housing rehabilitation programs, will create more affordable housing thus reducing the cost burden on those residents that can least afford it.
rental assistance programs through the Malden Housing Authority (MHA), will stabilize the financial conditions of those residents who are "at risk" of losing their homes or relocating to a less desirable dwelling.
job creation, will encourage self-esteem and stabilize the financial condition of the unemployed or those in poor paying undesirable jobs.
The Malden Redevelopment Authority and Planning Board coordinate planning activities within City government and with all city departments (public works, schools, fire, police, etc.) as they relate to the strategies to be carried out under the Consolidated Plan. The planning and budgeting of federal and state grants is accomplished in conjunction with the Citizen Participation Plan, the Mayor and City Council.
The Malden Redevelopment Authority and Planning Board interact on behalf of the city with the Housing Authority as well as the many public service agencies who serve the low/moderate income population with regard to Consolidated Plan related activity.
The Malden Redevelopment Authority has been designated by the
City of Malden
to represent the city at meetings of the North Suburban
Consortium (NSC) for the
purpose of administering HOME Program funds. The City of Malden,
by and through
the Malden Redevelopment Authority, is the "Representative
Member" of
the NSC.
The City of Malden plans for the use of approximately $1.8 million in CDBG funds include allocation to 7 categories: physical development, home and commercial rehabilitation loans, public services, planning, public housing modernization, section 108 loan payment, and grant administration. These allocations include the following:
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.
TABLE (without associated map) provides information about the project(s).
