U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Community Planning and Development
Consolidated Plan Contact
CITIZEN'S SUMMARY
Located 30 miles west of Philadelphia, Chester, Pennsylvania, is the
oldest community in Delaware County and was formerly the county seat. The city
is primarily a low- and moderate-income area. It has lost major employers during
the past several decades, resulting in increased unemployment and an
out-migration of residents.
Because Chester is part of the Delaware County Consortium for the HOME
Investment Partnership Program (HOME), the Delaware County Consortium
Consolidated Plan contains the city's housing and homeless needs summary, its
housing market analysis, and a description of strategies and priorities for the
consortium. Chester's plan includes only the Non-housing Community Development
Plan and One-Year Action Plan.
Action Plan
In Fiscal Year 1995, the city anticipates receiving $2.1 million in
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $80,000 in Emergency Shelter
Grant (ESG) funds, and $400,000 in program income. Two-thirds of Chester's CDBG
funds are dedicated to Non-housing community development objectives. Emphasis is
on infrastructure improvements, economic development, and public safety, with
allocations being reserved for a number of agencies that provide needed
services.
Citizen Participation
As a first step in preparing its 21st program year application for CDBG
funds, Chester held a public hearing on February 22, 1995.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
Community Development Needs
In preparing the Non-housing community development plan, the staff of the
Chester Redevelopment Authority conducted a detailed analysis of the
demographics within the city to identify specific needs and to determine
CDBG-eligible activities. The city has divided its community development needs
into seven categories:
- Public facility needs. Chester has approximately 50 parks and recreation
facilities, including 267 acres devoted to outdoor recreation. Residents have
indicated that the maintenance of these facilities is less than adequate. Some
areas have broken or missing equipment. There are no public swimming pools,
skating rinks, or bowling lanes. The city has only one public library, although
its services could be improved by increasing space and hours.
- Infrastructure improvement needs. Because of deteriorated storm sewer
inlets and recurring problems during heavy rainfall, Chester has identified a
need to improve the storm sewer system throughout the community. Rights-of-way
must be upgraded, and sidewalks throughout the city need to be repaired or
replaced. Parking needs should be evaluated. The city must also lobby the State
to repair roadways to improve Chester's transportation system.
- Public service needs. There is a need to expand services related to crime
prevention, literacy and education, employment training, domestic violence, the
elderly, recreation, health, and fair housing.
- Accessibility. The city has allocated funds for sidewalk curb cuts that
will accommodate wheelchairs.
- Economic development needs. Between 1982 and 1991, Chester lost 2,000
manufacturing jobs, mostly because of the closing of Pennsylvania Shipbuilding.
Between 1982 and 1987, the number of retail establishments in the city decreased
by 31 percent, resulting in the loss of 102 jobs. The city's central business
district was especially hard hit. In 1991 Chester's unemployment rate was 7.5
percent, but city officials believe that many residents have given up hope of
finding a job and are either no longer looking or not counted in the
unemployment rate. To attract and retain businesses, the city must form a
partnership with local financial institutions, promote major highway
improvements in and around the city, and develop incentives and a process that
promote business in the community.
- Planning. Continued planning studies to address specific community
concerns are needed. The city has used previous CDBG funds to study and plan
revitalization efforts.
- Other community development needs. The city has identified a need to
remove unsafe and abandoned structures that create hazards to the health,
safety, and welfare of local residents. The removal of these structures also
would help to prevent blight. Continued vigilance of code enforcement will help
to eliminate health and safety hazards in the city's housing stock.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Non-Housing Community Development Priorities
High priorities for Non-housing community development in Chester include:
- Neighborhood facilities.
- Parks and/or recreational facilities.
- Flood drain improvements.
- Street improvements.
- Sidewalk improvements.
- Water improvements.
- Sewer improvements.
- Services for the elderly.
- Youth services.
- Employment training.
- Crime awareness.
- Child-care services.
- Health services.
- Microbusinesses.
- Lead-based paint hazards.
Housing and Community Development Resources
To meet the housing and community development needs described in this plan,
Chester will use $2.5 million in CDBG funds and $80,000 in ESG funds. Other
resources include the Delaware County Office of Mental Health Homeless Program,
which provides resident beds for homeless persons with mental illness and offers
a continuum of care in housing support services and outreach. The city also uses
programs of the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs.
Chester encourages private developers and nonprofit groups to develop
affordable housing. Funding sources such as the Federal Home Loan Bank and the
Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program are available to supplement other
resources. The United Way of Southeast Delaware County raises funds to support
emergency shelters, rent and mortgage payment assistance, utility payment
assistance, meals, supplies, and equipment.
ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN
Description of Key Projects
Two-thirds of Chester's CDBG funds are dedicated to meeting Non-housing
community development objectives. Use of the city's CDBG funds will emphasize
infrastructure improvements, economic development, and public safety, with
allocations being reserved for a number of agencies that provide employment
training and services to the elderly, children, and youth. All ESG funds will be
used to rehabilitate an existing facility for emergency shelter. Among 22
projects that will be enacted during the first year of the 5- year plan are the
following:
- Demolition of vacant, open, and abandoned structures that present a health
and safety hazard to neighborhood residents ($386,000 in CDBG funds).
- Construction or reconstruction of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets, and
sewers in low- and moderate-income areas ($220,000 in CDBG funds).
- Acquisition of a building that will serve as an incubator site for small
business development ($200,000 in CDBG funds).
- Loans to businesses, including microbusinesses ($500,000 in CDBG funds).
This project is expected to fund 20 businesses.
- Loans to a maximum of $20,000 per unit for property owners who
rehabilitate property for low- to moderate-income families or for resale
($242,900 in CDBG funds). This project is expected to assist 15 households.
- Rehabilitation of vacant dwelling units at the Community Center for
emergency shelter and related uses ($80,000 in CDBG funds and $80,000 in ESG
funds). This project is expected to assist 25 people.
- Case management, job readiness, and vocational training services for youth
($52,050 in CDBG funds).
- Case management and legal services for victims of domestic violence
($40,000 in CDBG funds).
- Homebuyer counseling program ($10,000 in CDBG funds).
- Increased police patrols in low- and moderate-income areas ($41,000 in
CDBG funds).
Maps
MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.
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.
MAP 6 is a map, sectioned by neighborhood, which depicts points of
interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD
funded projects.
MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas,
unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the four
neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.
MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas,
unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another of the four
neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.
MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas,
unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s) from a street level
vantage point; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).
If you would like to comment on Chester's
Consolidated Plan, please contact: Mr. Monir Ahmed
City Compliance Monitor
610-447-7705
Return to Pennsylvania's Consolidated Plans.