CHICOPEE — The Office of Community Development recently hosted a public hearing on Jan. 27 for the public to give their input on community needs in preparation for the Community Development Action Plan, which will cover July 1, 2026 to June. 30, 2027.
Chicopee is a Housing and Urban Development entitlement community, which means that when the federal government passes its HUD budget, there’s a formula where cities, including Chicopee, receive funding.
Community Development Administrator Kathleen Lingenberg said Chicopee has been an Urban Development entitlement community since the Community Development Block program began. which means they “typically” receive $1.1 million each year. The amount is subject to a federal government budget and HUD appropriation.
As part of the CDBG program, entitlement communities are required to go through a public engagement process. Part of the process is the public hearing that Chicopee hosted on Jan. 27.
Lingenberg said the first public meeting featured “sparse” attendance, but those who attended spoke about investing in the city’s public parks, focusing on the escalating housing costs and housing affordability.
The Office of Community Development also hosted a virtual drop-in session on Feb. 4 to hear additional input from more community members.
Another part of the process is engaging with residents who might utilize the program’s funding. The third part of the engagement process is talking to community-based partners who operate programs or do work in the community.
Cities also have two obligations to stay compliant to receive funds. They are required to create a five-year consolidated plan, which Chicopee completed last year.
After the consolidated plan is completed, the community is required to create an annual action plan each year during the five-year plan.
Lingenberg explained how the block grants and action plan can help benefit communities like Chicopee.
“I think block grants touch many residents in ways they don’t even realize,” she stated.
For example, block grants helped complete the Lincoln Grove Park splash pad and playscape. Chicopee also utilizes its block grants for a portion of its annual funds to Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry.
Additionally, the city’s block grant funds are used to pay the Senior Center’s debt. Of the $1.1 million Chicopee receives, $300,000 helps pay that debt. Lingenberg said her office has an obligation to pay that debt until 2031.
After the community engagement process is complete, Lingenberg said the Office of Community Development will use what they heard from the community to cultivate priority needs and investment opportunities.
For example, if a department head expressed that they were short a matching fund for a project to advance, the funds can be used to invest in that project and grant process.
Lingenberg said there is also a formal process for people to apply. Applications will go out on Feb. 2. When people apply, they will have to describe their project, who will benefit from their project, have a budget and a request for funding.
The applications are due in the middle of March. After the Office of Community Development receives those requests, as long as a federal budget is passed, they will publish a draft plan for a minimum of 30 days.
Lingenberg said typically her office likes to have that plan accessible by the middle of April so they can receive public comment during that 30-day period. After that, her office will submit its request to HUD by May 15 and start their program year on July 1.
More information can be found at chicopeema.gov.
