BOSTON – The Town of Salisbury has received a $724,725 Community Development Block Grant to rehabilitate three housing units and expand social services.
Salisbury will use the money for the following projects:
• The continuation of the Salisbury Housing Rehabilitation Program, which helps low to moderate- income homeowners and landlords bring their homes and apartments into compliance with building and sanitary codes.
• Sidewalk and drainage improvements on Maple Street around the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Merrimack Valley.
• A stipend assistance program for the Boys and Girls Club, which will provide scholarships to low and moderate income children in Salisbury to attend the after school program as well as the summer program.
• Emergency support services at the Pettengill House for at-risk residents of Salisbury. The target population includes homeless and low to moderate income residents of the Salisbury community.
“I’m particularly happy that the CDBG money this year will be helping the children and families of Salisbury through the Boys and Girls Club and the Pettengill House,” said State Representative Michael A. Costello. “These are great programs in our community, and I think this award is proof that they are helping people everyday.”
“The award is also a testament to the effective work of the Salisbury Planning Office, which put together a great grant application for the third consecutive year” Costello added.
“Once again our legislative delegation has proven to be effective in helping Salisbury secure grant funds,” said Salisbury Town Manager Neil Harrington. “This amount is an increase over last year’s award, and we plan to put the money to several good uses.”
Community Development Block Grants are issued annually by the federal government and are awarded competitively to cities and towns to address a wide range of unique development needs. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development administers CDBG funds to cities and towns with populations of less than 50,000. The funds are targeted to provide decent housing and a suitable living environment and to expand economic opportunities, principally for persons of low- and moderate-income.
"The funding that's been awarded to the public housing in Salisbury is immensely valuable," said Senator Steven A. Baddour. "This grant will benefit not only the buildings the money will be used to improve, but also the many individuals and families who call those buildings home."