The 2019 to 2023 Consolidated Plan is a five-year planning document that addresses the housing and community development needs of Reading. This summary is designed to give citizens, local governments, and interested organizations of the City an opportunity to comment on the City’s Action Plan for Federal Fiscal Year 2023.
THE 2023 ACTION PLAN: The City proposes to adopt its Action Plan for Federal Fiscal Year 2023. The City anticipates receiving approximately $2,398,525 from the CDBG Program, $1,000 in HOME program income, and $217,855 from the ESG Program.
Projects proposed for funding include: CHDO Operating – $30,000, CHDO Set Aside – $156,000, Code Enforcement – $325,000, Demolition – $250,000, Facade Improvements – $70,000, Homeless Prevention & Rapid Rehousing – $63,814, Homeless Shelter Operations and Maintenance – $132,796, Homeless Street Outreach – $5,000, Homeownership Assistance – $200,000, Housing Acquisition Rehab Resale – $551,000, Planning & Administration – $599,245, Public Facilities and Improvements – $849,165, Public Services – $310,000, Section 108 Loan Payment – $116,360.
The estimated amount to benefit low and moderate income persons for the CDBG Program is 82%.
The City expects no displacement of families, individuals, or businesses to occur as a result of the activities. Should displacement occur as a result of any project or activity, the City will follow the regulations of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended.
The Action Plan has been developed using an estimate of the amount pf the 2023 CDBG, ESG, and HOME entitlement funding that the City anticipates receiving from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Funding amount revisions will be made to projects in the Action Plan should the exact amount of funnding awarded by HUD differ from this estimate. The projects with the highest funding amounts are a high priority. Those priorities will remain the same regardless of the amount of funding received from HUD. Project funding amount revisions will be based on the priorities and each program’s funding caps. The City will adhere to the Citizen Participation Plan amendment requirements if a project will be added to or cancelled from the Action Plan. The City may also use unprogrammed CDBG and HOME monies to fund 2023 CDBG and HOME projects as needed until the 2023 funds are made available from HUD.
PUBLIC REVIEW: This summary is designed to give citizens, local government officials, and interested parties of the City an opportunity to comment on the Plans. Please submit written comments to the Community Development Department Director, City Hall – 3rd Floor, 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601 by November 13, 2022. The summary is also available on the City’s website www.readingpa.gov.
PUBLIC HEARING: A public hearing will be held on October 11, 2022 at 5 p.m. in the City Hall City Council Chambers, 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601. Persons requiring assistance due to hearing, speech, vision impairments, or for any other needs should notify the Community Development Office at 610-655-6211 or (610) 655-6442 (TDD).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The City will be undertaking an evaluation of the activities to be funded to identify historic and archaeological resources that may be affected by the activities. By this Notice, the City invites interested parties who may have an interest in activities that may impact historic and archaeological resources to make themselves known. Parties should contact the Community Development Office, 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601. Phone: 610-655-6211 or (610) 655-6442 (TDD). The City will involve such parties in the notification and review process of the National Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as set forth in 36 CFR Part 800.
