The February 9th CPC Meeting Agenda and Meeting Packet are now available online for review. Topics include continued funding for the Covid-19 Emergency Housing Program and new proposals for Coleman House and the Grace Tower Restoration.
CPA Project Updates for February
Covid-19 Emergency Housing Relief Program – In January, the City submitted a new proposal for $1.2 million in additional CPA community housing funds to extend the existing short-term housing assistance program through June 2021. Established in July 2020, the program was designed to provide housing payment assistance to households below 80% AMI who have been negatively impacted by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The program pays up to 70% of a household’s monthly rent or mortgage payments (for homeowners in deed restricted affordable housing). While applicants are initially qualified for three months of assistance, those who continue to need assistance are currently able to extend their participation in the program in three month increments for up to eight months of assistance. The CPC recommended approval of the program in January, and the Finance and Zoning and Planning Committees recommended approval at their February 4th meeting. City Council review of the project is scheduled for their next meeting on February 16th.
Grace Episcopal Tower Restoration (Newton Corner)
Representatives of Grace Episcopal Church have requested $1,433,000 in CPA Historic Resource funds to stabilize and restore the ca. 1872 conical stone tower, steeple and belfry of the National Register of Historic Places listed building. The CPC recommended the project for CPA funding at their October 13th meeting. Following its review by the Finance and Zoning and Planning Committees at their February 4th meeting, the project is expected to go before the City Council on February 16th.
Coleman House Senior Housing Preservation Project -Owner 2Life Communities requests $4,214,622 to rehabilitate and restore the ca. 1980s Coleman House buildings which provides housing and supportive services to 146 very low and extremely low income senior households (at or below 50% AMI) in Newton. The project will completely restore the existing building, replace its mechanical systems, and rehabilitate all of its existing housing units. All of the units will also be reconfigured to meet 2Life’s adaptable design standards and accessibility requirements and the existing program spaces will be redesigned to serve as a village center for residents. The project includes a commitment to sustainability and is designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities standards. The CPC recommended funding of the project at their January 12, 2021 meeting and has docketed the project for City Council review.
The deadline for new applications and discussion items to be added to the March 9th meeting is February 19th. Information on the virtual meeting will be sent out with the agenda before the meeting.
More Information Online
In addition to CPC agendas, meeting packets & minutes, the website includes proposal & project instructions, major documents for current proposals & funded projects, and regularly updated financial and other reports on Newton’s current, future, and past CPA projects and spending. For help or with questions, contact Lara Kritzer at lkritzer@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1144.
To view and participate in this virtual meeting on your phone, download the “Zoom Cloud Meetings” app in any app store or at www.zoom.us. Click on “Join a Meeting” and enter the following Meeting ID: 85922342658
You can also access the meeting online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85922342658
One tap mobile: +13017158592,,85922342658#
February 9th, 7:00 pm