News Flash

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The City of Springfield’s Draft FY 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan funding recommendations are available for public review and comment until 5 p.m. April 1. Copies of the funding recommendations may be obtained at any of the branches of the Springfield-Greene County Library located within the city limits of Springfield or via the City’s website. Written comments may be sent to [email protected].

The City will receive $1,627,327 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and $1,050,047 in Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding in fiscal year 2021.

All CDBG-funded activities will be conducted in compliance with the provisions of 24 CFR Part 570. All HOME funded activities will be conducted in compliance with the provisions of 24 CFR Part 92. 

The following activities have been identified and selected for CDBG and HOME funding for FY 2021-2022 through a collaborative effort which has resulted in projects designed to meet City Council’s priorities and objectives and identified community needs.

All the programs and activities enumerated below will constitute an expenditure of funds for which a minimum of 70% will be used for projects which principally benefit low- and moderate-income people. Annual Action Plan projects are proposed for funding as follows.

Affordable Housing

Housing activities will principally serve low- and moderate-income families in the targeted area. The targeted area boundaries include an area that is generally bounded by West Bypass, Glenstone, and Interstate 44 and south to Grand Street plus Census Tract 4. HOME activities will include rental housing new construction and rehabilitation, and down-payment assistance loans. Approximately 15% of HOME funds will be used for special nonprofit (CHDO) activities for rental housing rehabilitation or new construction. A CDBG-funded homeowner rehabilitation, weatherization and emergency home repair program will be conducted in the target area by four (4) local non-profit organizations.

Economic Development

A commercial loan program and a business incentive loan program will be continued within the corporate limits of the City of Springfield.

Public Services

Public Service funding is proposed to be provided to the following IRS Code 501 (c) (3) designated nonprofit corporations serving Springfield:

• The LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home program will fund a 24/7 residential program for homeless pregnant women and infants/children.
• The Rare Breed Youth Outreach Center will engage with and help youth who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness.
• The Harmony House Domestic Violence Sustainable Shelter project will utilize funds to provide three meals a day to individuals and families fleeing domestic violence.
• The Empowering Youth program will help serve children and youth with issues pertaining to homelessness, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, poverty, abandonment, and substance abuse.
• The Forensic Interviewer program will fund the forensic interviews of children within the CDBG catchment area.
• The Emergency Social Services program will provide emergency assistance to individuals and families who need rent, utility, or mortgage assistance.
• The Weekend Backpack Program will provide at-risk children with nutritious weekend meals.
• The Strengthening Families in Crisis program will provide a program for nurturing children ages birth to 12, while their family advocates work to provide families with resources, connections, and provide skills to parents.
• The Making Sense of Money Financial Literacy program will teach low- and moderate-income participants about basic budgeting.
• The Lunch Buddies Program will provide children facing adversity with professionally supported one-to-one mentors.
• The McGregor in the Morning program will provide an educational, supervised before-school program at McGregor Elementary.
  
  

Administration and Planning

Reasonable costs for general oversight, coordination and management of the CDBG Program will be provided. A policy planning and management capacity will be maintained in part with CDBG funding with an emphasis on neighborhood conservation and economic development.

Anti-displacement: None of the above-described activities are designed or anticipated to create involuntary residential displacement of persons or households. However, the City of Springfield has a plan for avoiding displacement and for the establishment of benefits to persons displaced by the programs, on file and available for public inspection at the Planning and Development Department, Busch Municipal Building, 840 Boonville Avenue, Springfield, Missouri.

First reading and vote by City Council

City Council will hold a first reading and public hearing on the FY 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan at City Council Chambers on March 22 at 6:30 pm. The final vote will be held April 5.

Citizens wishing to sign up to attend and/or speak at the March 22 public hearing are required to contact the City Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. Friday, March 19 at 417-864-1650 or [email protected].

Citizens who have signed up to attend will be required to view and participate in the meeting via videoconferencing within Historic City Hall, 830 N. Boonville Avenue. Physical distancing will be maintained, and face covering required.

Citizens who have experienced any of the following will not be allowed inside:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Respiratory illness (cough, difficulty breathing)
• Fever
• Traveled in the past 14 days to an affected area
• Been exposed to someone who has travelled to an affected area
• Been exposed to someone who has been evaluated for the illness or confirmed illness

Further information is available by contacting the Department of Planning and Development at the Busch Municipal Building, 840 Boonville Ave., P.O. Box 8368, Springfield, Missouri 65801 or calling 417-864-1031. In accordance with ADA and LEP guidelines, if you need special accommodations when attending any City meeting, please notify the City Clerk’s office at 864-1443 at least three days prior to the scheduled meeting.

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For more information, please contact Melissa Haase at 417-536-7648 or [email protected].