Island towns are set to apply for approximately $1 million in federal pandemic relief funds to help with rental assistance, forgivable small business loans and homelessness prevention.
Nearly $2 million in community development block grants will go toward housing projects and child care subsidies in five Island towns, the state announced Thursday.
Cong. William Keating, whose district includes Martha’s Vineyard, delivered a sharp rebuke to President Trump’s budget blueprint, which would eliminate Community Development Block Grants.
The state Department of Housing and Community Development has presented an alternative to plans that would have stemmed a key source of funding for low and moderate income households.
West Tisbury, a town which has only qualified for housing rehabilitation and child care funds every three years, is now eligible every year. But in neighboring Chilmark, it's a different story.
The health of the historic resort community is not in doubt. But a streetscape master plan project begun in January wants to identify parts of the downtown that can be improved. And planners want more public opinion.
Edgartown, Aquinnah and Chilmark will receive $869,884 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 21 units and childcare vouchers to approximately 30 families.
Salem is synonymous with witchcraft, Concord with the revolutionary war. But what is the identity of Oak Bluffs? The question was put to community members and state officials recently at a public discussion.
Five of the six Island towns are applying for Community Development Block Grants for the 2011 fiscal year, with more applications than ever expected this year from needy residents. At their meeting Tuesday, Aquinnah selectmen praised the block grant program, which this year includes funds for rehabilitating homes and child care assistance for income-eligible residents. Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Tisbury are all applying for grants.
