OFFICE OF HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The City of New Bedford’s Office of Housing & Community Development website is a resource for community-based programs, plans and possibilities in New Bedford. The Department of Housing and Community Development is comprised of two distinct sections that encompass housing activities and community development activities, both of which are integral to neighborhood revitalization activities for the City of New Bedford.

Click here for an overview of our office, then wander through our site and discover these possibilities in greater detail.
Our offices are located on the second floor of the Anthony S. Catojo Building (the New Bedford Art Museum) at 608 Pleasant Street in downtown New Bedford.

If you would like additional information regarding the city’s activities around homelessness, please also refer to the City of New Bedford’s Homeless Service Provider Network at www.nbhspn.com.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR CDBG or ESG FUNDS?

FY2024 Funding Application Materials are now available through our FY24 Action Plan page.

Please click here to learn more about our Annual Action Plan process and how you can access the online application available beginning January 10, 2024.

Deadline for all completed applications this year is Friday, February 9, 2024.

FY2022 FINAL CAPER IS NOW AVAILABLE!

The City of New Bedford’s Office of Housing & Community Development announces the publication of its FINAL CAPER for FY2022.  The FY2022 CAPER reports on the status and outcome of programs, activities and budgets that took place between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 for the following federal programs:  Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), HOME Program and any CDBG-CV and ESG-CV (COVID-19) funding arising out of the CARES Act that was expended during FY2022.

CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE FY2022 FINAL CAPER

CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE FY2022 CAPER SUMMARY

Please contact the Office of Housing & Community Development by email at OHCD@newbedford-ma.gov with any questions.

COC approved final consolidated application

https://www.nbhspn.com/2023-coc-approved-consolidated-application-now-available/ 

OVERVIEW
The City of New Bedford’s Continuum of Care (MA-505 CoC), its, “Homeless Service Provider’s Network” (HSPN), acting through the City’s Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD) has published its 2023 CoC approved Consolidated Application package submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).  This material includes:

2023 COC CONSOLIDATED-APPLICATION

PROJECT PRIORITY LISTING

PROJECT APPLICATIONS and PLANNING APPLICATION.

All materials related to the CoC Competition (including the 2023 Competition Timeline, Reallocation Plan, Review and Ranking Procedures, RFP, CoC Ranking of Projects and the draft application materials are available through the CoC’s website at: https://www.nbhspn.com/2023-coc-funding-competition/.

Throughout the competition the CoC strongly encouraged those from tribal organizations as well as those who work closely with historically marginalized communities to apply for this funding and/or participate in the competition process. This competition was open to ALL eligible applicants; one need not have previously applied to have participated or applied.  

FUNDING
The New Bedford CoC has requested a 2023 award totaling $2,327,126 in this funding round.

Questions concerning this notice may be directed to Jennifer Clarke, AICP Deputy Director, OHCD via email at Jennifer.Clarke@newbedford-ma.gov.

 

 

BUILDING NEW BEDFORD

On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Mayor Jon Mitchell announced Building New Bedford: Strategies to Promote Attainable Housing for All in a Thriving New Bedford, a comprehensive housing plan that outlines actions the City is taking to stimulate new housing development, reactivate underutilized properties, and relieve housing instability and affordability concerns for City residents. The plan also serves as a call to action to New Bedford’s surrounding towns to increase their development of multi-family housing in order to contribute to solving the region’s housing shortage.

The Building New Bedford plan is comprised of 22 measures the city is taking to address the regional housing crisis, organized into six main areas:

Throughout the plan, the city articulates its objectives in fast-tracking housing development across income levels, removing regulatory barriers to housing development, facilitating the restoration of vacant, underutilized, and/or city-owned properties to be used for housing, encouraging first-time homebuyers, supporting those with urgent affordability concerns, and setting an example for all municipalities in Greater New Bedford in addressing the region’s collective housing challenges.

Click here to access the online version of the plan.

 

ANALYSIS of IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice has its origins with the Fair Housing Act of 1968.  This plan sets forth the City of New Bedford’s commitment to taking meaningful and measurable actions to break down barriers to fair housing choice and affirmatively further fair housing throughout the City for all protected classes.

Click here for the final analysis of impediments

The City of New Bedford and its Office of Housing & Community Development has collaborated with community partners in developing the New Bedford Age Friendly Initiative- Housing Resources Guide- Promoting Aging in Community.

Information relative to Renting/Rental Properties, Home Ownership and a range of other resources including the prevention of homelessness, legal assistance, utility assistance, disabilities and pets—just to name a few—are included in this document.

 Access the Housing Resources Guide Here!

This publication is presented in good faith and is intended for general guidance only. Neither the City of New Bedford nor Coastline Elderly Services endorse, recommend, guarantee, warrant or assume any liability for the performance or lack thereof by any of the resources identified within this document. Users of this guide must make independent determinations as to the suitability of the information for their own purposes. Information presented within the publication is accurate as of November 2020.

2020-2024 Consolidated plan, annual action plan
and

analysis of impediments to fair housing

The Consolidated Plan is a five-year document that identifies community needs and spending priorities for Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant and HOME Program funding that the city receives as an entitlement community.

The Annual Action Plan is a one-year plan that explains and discusses available block grant funding for the coming fiscal year and how it will be used to fulfill Consolidated Plan priorities.

The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing comprehensively reviews the community’s laws, regulations, administrative policies, housing market and housing practices to determine whether any barriers to fair and equal access to housing are present.


NOW AVAILABLE: CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND ACTION PLAN

 

click here to see the  FINAL plan


other 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing materials

Final 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan
FY2024 Consolidated Plan and FY2020 Action Plan Calendar
FY2020 Community Forums Flyer
FY2020 Community Forum December PowerPoint
FY2020 Community Forum January PowerPoint
FY2020 CDBG Request for Proposal Instructions
FY2020 CDBG Request for Proposal Application (RFP) 
FY2020 ESG Request for Proposal Instructions
FY2020 ESG Request for Proposal Application (RFP)
FY2020 ESG – Authorization Form
FY2020 CDBG – Authorization Form
FY2020 ESG TA Workshop Presentation
FY2020 CDBG TA Workshop Presentation
Draft Plans Available for Public Review Flyer
Subrecipient Workshop Presentation FY20 ESG/ESG-CV
Subrecipient Workshop Presentation FY20 CDBG/CDBG-CV

Press Releases

December 22, 2020

City of New Bedford to distribute federal funding toward food security, internet access, and education

December 17, 2020

Homeless Service Provider’s Network Presents Danielle Brown With Its Annual Sister Rose Award

June 10, 2020

New Bedford residents invited to attend public meeting via Zoom on federal funding for COVID response

February 11, 2020

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development awards homelessness assistance funding

September 10, 2019

Formerly distressed property revitalized by WHALE, City of New Bedford sold by lottery to first-time homebuyer

April 26, 2019

New Bedford celebrates Community Development Week

April 25, 2019

Upgraded Buttonwood Senior Center officially reopened

February 05, 2019                       

New Bedford awarded federal homeless assistance funds

January 28, 2019         

City to conduct annual Point-in-Time Count for 2019

January 04, 2019        

New Bedford residents invited to attend public meetings on U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development federal funding for Fiscal Year 2019

November 2, 2018      

Homeless Service Providers Network presents Raymond Duarte with annual Sister Rose award

January 23, 2018    

City to conduct annual Point-in-Time Count for 2018

January 05, 2018  

New Bedford Residents Invited to Attend Public Meetings on U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Federal Funding for Fiscal Year 2018
Community Forums

November 1, 2017           

Homeless Service Providers Network presents the Rev. David Lima with its annual Sister Rose Award

October 11, 2017   

Formerly vacant property revitalized by City of New Bedford and Excalibur Property Management Inc., is sold through lottery to first time homebuyer

August 1, 2017       

City Director of Planning, Housing & Community Development named 2017-2018 President of National Community Development Association

National Community Development Association Executive Committee

August 1, 2017     

West End Playground Hillman Street and Ash Street

December 22, 2016         

City Wins Federal Homeless Assistance Funds

December 7, 2016      

New Plans in Place for New Bedford’s Extreme Weather Shelter The Call 1-800-HOMELESS

October 19, 2016    

New Bedford Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development Partners With MassHousing to Host “Homebuyer Fair” at the Dartmouth Mall

August 9, 2016         

Formerly Distressed Property Revitalized by City of New Bedford and PACE is Sold Through Lottery to First Time Homebuyer

July 7, 2016         

New Bedford Director of Planning, Housing and Community Development Named Vice President of National Community Development Association

February 24, 2016      

City of new Bedford Announces CitiWorks Mini-Grant Program

January 26, 2016           

City of New Bedford and Homeless Service Providers Network to Conduct Annual Point in Time Count of Persons Experiencing Homelessness

January 8, 2016                       

New Bedford Residents Invited to Attend Public Meetings on U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Federal Funding for Fiscal Year 2016

September 21, 2016

Dartmouth Mall Homebuyer Fair

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201254/aMassHousingDartmouth-Mall-Flyer_Harvest-Fest-Ad_Sept-2016.pdf

September 21, 2016

First Time Home Buyer Seminar

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201253/FTHB-Flyer-SEMAR-November-2016.pdf

June 21, 2016

First Time Home Buyer Seminar

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201254/FTHB-Flyer-BayCoast-September-2016.pdf

June 1, 2016

36 Jireh Street Home Ownership Opportunity

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201257/PACE-36-Jireh-St-Lottery-Flyer.pdf

April 20, 2016

First Time Home Buyer Seminar

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201300/FTHB-Seminar-Flyer-FMCU-060716.pdf

February 5, 2016

First Time Home Buyer Seminar

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201302/FTHB-Flyer-SEMAR-April-2016_edited.pdf

September 23, 2015

First Time Home Buyer Seminar

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201308/FTHB_Flyer_SMCU_September_2015.pdf

June 9, 2015

First Time Home Buyer Seminar

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201308/FTHB_Flyer_SMCU_September_2015.pdf

April 15, 2015

389 Cottage Street Neighborhood First Home Ownership Opportunity (Updated)

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201308/389_Cottage_Street_April_May_Final.pdf

No Cost Workshop

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201308/Credit_workshop_Flyer_May_2015_-revised.pdf

April 13, 2015

First Time Home Buyer Seminar

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201309/FTHB_Flyer_June2015.pdf

February 23, 2015

First Time Home Buyer Seminar

https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/20191219201309/FTHB_Flyer_SEMAR_April_2015.pdf

November 25, 2014

Revitalized New Bedford Property Sold to First Time Home Buyer Ms. Sara Smith Lewis and Family

http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/pressreleases/2014/11252014_Revitalized_New_Bedford_Property_Sold_to_First_Time_Home_Buyer.pdf

November 7, 2014

City Seeks Public Input in Developing Long-Term Plan for Funding Housing Community Development Priorities

http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/pressreleases/2014/11072014_City_Seeks_Public_Input_in_Developing_Long-Term_Plan_for_Funding_Housing_Community_Development_Priorities.pdf

October 22, 2014

New Bedford Office of Housing and Community Development Partners With MassHousing to Host “Homebuyer Fair” at the Dartmouth Mall
Homebuyer Fair Flyer

http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/pressreleases/2014/10222014_New_Bedford_Housing_and_Community_Development_MassHousing_Host_Homebuyer_Fair_at_the_Dartmouth_Mall.pdf

April 22, 2014

Mayor Mitchell, Congressman Keating and Other Local Officials to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/pressreleases/2014/042214_CDBG_Program.pdf

April 9, 2014

New Bedford Awarded $1.8 Million Federal Grant to Combat Homelessness

http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/pressreleases/2014/040914_Homelessness.pdf

March 18, 2014

Mayor Mitchell Announces Release of FY 2014 Draft Action Plan

http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/pressreleases/2014/03182014_Mayor_Mitchell_Announces_Release_of_FY_2014_Draft_Action_Plan.pdf

March 18, 2014

New Bedford Launches CitiWorks Mini-Grant Program

http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/pressreleases/2014/03182014_New_Bedford_Launches_CitiWorks_Mini-Grant_Program_2014.pdf

January 28, 2014

New Bedford’s Homeless Service Providers Network to Conduct 2014 Annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count

http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/pressreleases/2014/012814_Homeless_Count.pdf

January 7, 2014

Mayor Mitchell Encourages Residents to Attend Public Meeting on U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Funding for Fiscal Year 2014

http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/mayor/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/pressreleases/2014/010714_CDBG_Funding.pdf