The Borough of Norristown is the County seat of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It consists of two large Historic districts that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Historically, the Borough flourished as an industrial center when the Schuykill Canal was opened in 1826 and the first passenger railroad was established in 1835. Norristown established strong economic and cultural ties with Philadelphia. Factories and mills sprang up along the Schuykill River. Most of these industries and stores that opened to serve the Borough's growing population continued to prosper until after World War II, when Norristown began to lose residents and businesses to nearby suburbs. Ever since, the Borough's economic base and population have changed significantly. In the last two decades the Borough's main employers have become retail, health services, and manufacturing. The Borough's population has also steadily declined.
The Borough of Norristown's Consolidated Plan includes a One-Year Action Plan for spending $1,268,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to: rehabilitate and upgrade the Borough's current housing stock in an effort to improve the quality of life for Borough residents; upgrade and replace antiquated community infrastructure; expand recreational opportunities by developing and rehabilitating park and playground facilities; promote economic development; eliminate conditions detrimental to the public's health, safety and welfare; and promote the preservation of historic structures and neighborhoods.
The Borough's Consolidated Plan was the result of ongoing consultation with
various public agencies, housing groups, and private organizations throughout
the year. The first public hearing was held on December 7, 1994 to allow
citizens, public agencies, and interested groups an opportunity to take part in
the development of the Consolidated Plan. After a successful and well attended
meeting, the Borough incorporated the public's input into the Plan and published
the Consolidated Plan Summary on December 13, 1994. The second public hearing
was held on December 15, 1994 to allow the public to comment on the Borough's
Consolidated Plan. No comments were received.
The Borough of Norristown has been steadily losing its residents and
businesses to nearby suburbs. The County population increased by fifty-four
(54%) between 1980 and 1990, while the Borough population decreased by twelve
(12%) during those years. Over the last ten years, many of the older
manufacturing firms within the Borough have closed and newer service-related
companies, including insurance and real estate, have located within the Borough.
In addition, much of the Borough's infrastructure was installed prior to 1950,
is antiquated and continues to deteriorate. This include streets, traffic
lights, lights sidewalks, retaining walls and parking lots.
The owner-occupied housing values have risen significantly over the last decade. The median housing value in 1980 was $33,000 and in 1990 the value rose to $80,600. Homeownership within the Borough has become more difficult to realize. In 1980, ninety- one (91%) of the Borough's owner-occupied housing stock was priced at $49,900 and below.
The median contract rent has doubled in the last ten years ($210 in 1980 and $438 in 1990). The Borough, however, has experienced a large influx of Section 8 residents indicating that Borough rents are affordable. Hence, the Borough's housing market conditions have not impeded the availability or production of affordable rental housing.
The Borough of Norristown's most significant housing need is to rehabilitate owner-occupied and rental substandard housing, occupied by the very low- income and other low- income households. It is estimated that fifty percent (50%) of the substandard units suitable for rehabilitation are occupied by low income households.
Fifty-four percent (54%) of the Borough's housing stock is owner- occupied. Six percent (6%) of these units need to be rehabilitated. Fifty percent (50%) of the pre-1940 housing stock, occupied by very low- income households, is in substandard condition and in need of rehabilitation. Forty-five percent (45%) of the Borough's housing stock consists of rental units. Nine percent (9%) of these units need to be rehabilitated.
It is estimated that ninety (90%) of all substandard owner- and renter-occupied units, are suitable for rehabilitation. In the past six years, the number of substandard units suitable for rehabilitation has been significantly reduced due to the success of the housing programs administered by the Borough of Norristown and Montgomery County.
There were approximately 122 homeless individuals within the Borough's jurisdiction in 1993. Twenty-two percent (22%) of those individuals are considered unsheltered and seventy-eight (78%) are sheltered. The Borough of Norristown has three operating shelters for homeless persons. Several public agencies provide emergency shelter and a variety of supportive service programs for the homeless. The loss of any one of the shelters or agencies that provide assistance to the homeless would create a gap in meeting the needs of the homeless.
The Borough currently has thirty six (36) scattered sites of public housing in standard and substandard condition. Twenty (20) of the properties are vacant. The Borough's greatest need in this area is to rehabilitate units that are vacant and in substandard condition. The Borough, in conjunction with the Public Housing Authority, is working to rehabilitate the vacant properties and sell them to low income families within three (3) years. The sixteen (16) occupied properties will remain rental units for the next three (3) years.
The Borough is fully developed with little to no land available for new affordable residential construction. In order to preserve its affordable housing stock, the Borough has and will continue to rehabilitate, and avoid the demolition of, standard and substandard units suitable for rehabilitation. The Borough will also increase its affordable housing stock by rehabilitating vacant units suitable for rehabilitation and selling them to low- income families.
The Borough is not currently administering any fair housing programs but it has certified that it will affirmatively further fair housing and comply with Section 3 requirements.
The Borough has consulted with health and child welfare agencies to determine the extent of lead-based paint hazards within the Borough. There are no existing surveys or data collected on this issue. However, since the Borough has a large pre-1970 housing stock, it is likely that a significant number of housing units contain lead paint. The Borough will continue to test and comply with HUD's lead-based paint abatement requirements.
There is a significant need for small business development and a study of how to revitalize the Borough's economy. In summary, the Borough's community development needs are to revitalize its stagnate economy by rehabilitating its infrastructure, public parks and facilities in order to attract business and residents back into Norristown.
In developing this document, the Borough of Norristown's Department of
Planning and Municipal Development interacted with various Borough departments,
public agencies and its citizens. The Borough also used information from its
approved 1992-1996 five- year CHAS.
The Borough's housing and community development objectives include: the revitalization of the economic base of the community so that Norristown will become economically self- sufficient to an extent that will allow the local government to provide an adequate level of services to all of its residents; the rehabilitation of the housing stock for residents of all income levels in order that every resident will occupy safe, healthy, and decent living quarters; the preservation and of the unique historic, architectural, and cultural features that characterize Norristown; the enhancement of values by keeping neighborhoods physically sound and visually attractive and; the provision of recreational facilities and other amenities that will have a positive effect on the quality of life for all residents.
The Borough of Norristown's main priority is to rehabilitate substandard units occupied by low- to moderate- income persons, and to preserve standard units occupied by low- to moderate- income persons.
The Borough's main community development priority is to revitalize its stagnant economy by rehabilitating its infrastructure and public park facilities in an effort to attract businesses and residents back into Norristown. The Borough's five-year community development strategy includes: upgrading and replacing antiquated community infrastructure; expanding recreational opportunities; promoting economic development; eliminating conditions detrimental to public health and safety; and preserving historic structures and neighborhoods.
The Borough's anti-poverty strategy is dependent upon the resurgence of its economy and the continuation of its ambitious revitalization programs. The Borough government has already committed funds to improve critical public spaces downtown and throughout the Borough. The Borough has also actively encouraged private renovations and new business start-ups. A revitalized Borough will mean capturing businesses, reviving the economy and increasing employment opportunities for households who live in poverty.
In addition to the Borough's annual CDBG entitlement being used in part to fund its housing and community development activities, Norristown will also be using HOME funds from the PA Department of Community Affairs.
The Borough of Norristown coordinated with public and assisted housing
providers and private and/or government health, mental health and service
agencies in the development of its strategic plan. The Borough has created a
homeless Task Force and invited all the above mentioned providers to
participate.
The Borough of Norristown's Action Plan outlines the proposed use of approximately $1,268,000 in CDBG funds. These funds will be spent on an array of housing and community development activities including:
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 Neighborhood Segments and proposed HUD funded projects; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).
Jayne Musonye-Whitney
Director of Planning
and Municipal Development
PH: (610) 270-0452
