Fall River to hold public hearing on HOME-ARP funds

Here is your chance to be heard.

The Fall River Community Development Agency will be holding a public hearing concerning the amendment to the 2021 Annual Action Plan which includes U.S. HUD HOME-American Rescue Plan Allocation.

The hearing will take place on June 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Hearing Room at Government Center.

In April of 2021, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the allocation of nearly $5 billion in American Rescue Plan funds to help communities across the country create affordable housing and services for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Fall River received $3.8 million of that allotment.

HOME-ARP funding gives flexibility to best meet the needs of people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including through development of affordable housing, tenant-based rental assistance, supportive services, and acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units. Funds must be spent by 2030.

HOME-ARP funds must be used to primarily benefit individuals or families from the following qualifying populations:

-Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a));

-At-risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(1));

-Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, as defined by the Secretary;

-In other populations where providing supportive services or assistance under section 212(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(a)) would prevent the family’s homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability;

-Veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet one of the preceding criteria.

HOME-ARP funds can be used for four eligible activities:

-Production or Preservation of Affordable Housing

-Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)

-Supportive Services, including services defined at 24 CFR 578.53(e), Homeless Prevention Services, and Housing Counseling

-Purchase and Development of Non-Congregate Shelter. These structures can remain in use as non-congregate shelter or can be converted to: 1) emergency shelter under the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program; 2) permanent housing under the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program; or 3) affordable housing under the HOME Program.

If you won’t be attending the hearing, but still want your voice to be heard, you can submit written comments to:

Mr. Michael P. Dion, Executive Director/CFO
Fall River Community Development Agency
One Government Center, 6th Floor, Room 633
Fall River, MA 02722

Comments submitted through July 12, 2022, will be summarized and included in the 2021 Annual Action Plan (7/1/21 to 6/30/22) Substantial Amendment to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on or about July 29, 2022.