City Announces $3 Million in Investments to Reduce Homelessness and Address Affordable Housing and Housing Instability through HOME-ARP Plan

New Bedford, Massachusetts – Mayor Jon Mitchell has announced the city has allocated over three million dollars of HOME-American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) funding to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability in New Bedford.

The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, which will be up for approval by the City Council on Thursday, March 9th, includes $900,000 for the development of affordable rental housing, $700,000 for development of shelter beds for the unhoused, $500,000 for rental assistance programs, and nearly $600,000 for non-profits to provide supportive services and community housing development initiatives. These investments are in addition to those made available through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Continuum of Care (CoC), and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) programs.

“New Bedford residents have not been spared from state and national trends of escalating housing costs,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “These funds will be a critical part of an overall strategy to ease the burden of rising housing costs for our residents.”

HOME-ARP funding, allocated by the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), is the most recent federal relief package created to assist states, counties and local governments address the negative economic effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. The ARP Act appropriated funds to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for distribution under its HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME). The City of New Bedford has been advised by HUD it will receive a total allocation of $3,175,399 in HOME-ARP funding upon submission of its plan.

In developing the plan, the Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD) conducted several public meetings, held consultations with stakeholders, and conducted a survey of residents.  The final draft of the plan was then made available for a 15-day public comment period.

Questions regarding the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan may be directed to Joshua Amaral, Director, or Jennifer Clarke, Deputy Director, of the Office of Housing & Community Development at (508) 979-1500 or by email at Joshua.Amaral@newbedford-ma.gov or Jennifer.Clarke@newbedford-ma.gov.