FY17 CAPER EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - SEPTEMBER 26, 2017
CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE
AND EVALUATION REPORT
CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
Fiscal Year 2017
July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017
Kimberley Driscoll, Mayor
Tom Daniel, AICP, DPCD Director
Jane A. Guy, Assistant Community Development Director
ii
INTRODUCTION
The overarching goal of the City of Salem is to provide a healthy, affordable , accessible and
welcoming community for its residents to live and work and for its businesses to thrive. To
accomplish this goal, the City uses grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD)—Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment
Partnership Program (HOME)—which are administered through the Department of Planning and
Community Development (DPCD). The following describes each of the grants and their program
objectives.
CDBG is a formula-based program designed to develop viable urban communities by
providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanding economic
opportunities for persons of low- and moderate-income1.
HOME is a formula-based program for expanding and improving the supply of decent, safe
and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income persons.
These resources fund a wide range of projects designed to develop and maintain affordable housing,
improve neighborhood public facilities, provide economic opportunities, improve access to public
facilities for people with disabilities, provide critical public services, assist people who are homeless,
and prevent homelessness.
Throughout the many years of the City of Salem’s CDBG program, significant improvements have
been made to the City’s physical and social environment for its low - and moderate-income residents.
The CDBG program has made a strong impact in Salem, as seen through the numerous homes
rehabilitated, neighborhood facilities and infrastructure improved, businesses strengthened, jobs
created and families served through our non-profit community partners.
Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, and CAPER
A Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development (Consolidated Plan) must be
prepared every five years for a community to receive CDBG and HOME funds from HUD. The
Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of a community’s needs which is used
to identify goals and objectives and to establish a vision for attaining a higher quality of life for low-
and moderate-income residents. Prior to the start of each fiscal year within the five-year
Consolidated Plan period, an Annual Action Plan must be prepared which lists the specific activities
that will be undertaken, utilizing CDBG and HOME funds, that will work toward accomplishing the
5-year vision. The Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) must also be
prepared annually as a mechanism for reporting accomplishments of the funded activities and to
measure the success in achieving the vision, goals and objectives identified in the Consolidated Plan.
Salem’s current 5-Year Consolidated Plan - Fiscal Years 2016-2020 (FY16-20) - began on July 1,
2015.
Contact Information
We are always open to feedback on our progress, as well as to answer questions regarding any of our
programs mentioned in this report. If you would like more information please contact the
Department of Planning and Community Development at 978-619-5685.
1 Low- to moderate- income individuals equals less than 50 or 80 percent of the Boston area median income respectively.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................................... 1
Affordable Housing Programs ................................................................................................................ 2
Public Services ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Economic Development .......................................................................................................................... 9
Neighborhood Improvements .............................................................................................................. 12
Planning & Administration .................................................................................................................... 13
CAPER Narratives in IDIS
CR-05 - Goals & Outcomes .................................................................................................................. 14
CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted ............................................................ 19
CR-15 - Resources and Investments .................................................................................................... 20
CR-20 - Affordable Housing ................................................................................................................. 23
CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs ...................................................................................... 25
CR-30 - Public Housing ......................................................................................................................... 28
CR-35 - Other Actions ........................................................................................................................... 30
CR-40 - Monitoring ................................................................................................................................. 37
CR-45 - CDBG ........................................................................................................................................ 39
Appendix
Financial Summary PR26
Maps
Low to Moderate Income Areas
Geographic Distribution of Entitlement Funds Expended FY16
Section 3 Report
CAPER finalization date – September 26, 2017
Cover photo: Mary Jane Lee Park
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
Salem’s FY17 CAPER provides an analysis of the second fiscal year - July 1, 2016 through June 30,
20172 - of the City’s 5-Year Consolidated Plan completed in 2015. This report is an opportunity to
demonstrate our progress and the accomplishments produced by the City of Salem and its
community partners, to report our successes over the past fiscal year and to inform the community
of how federal and local programs are making a difference in the lives of its low- and moderate-
income residents. In 2015, HUD implemented a new online system for preparing the Consolidated
Plan, Annual Action Plans and CAPERs. In this report, we included the information from the
online system to fulfill HUD requirements, as well as information that may be of interest to our
residents.
The CDBG entitlement funds from HUD for the fiscal year were $995,257 and program income
received during FY17 was $113,129.71. Our HOME funding allocation was $101,296. We also used
any available carried over CDBG and HOME funds from prior years.
We expended a total of
$1,058,189.02 in CDBG
funds. We met all
timeliness requirements
and program
expenditures were
consistent with our 5-
Year Consolidated Plan
and FY17 Action Plan
goals. Public Service
programs were just
below the 15 percent
maximum allowable for
such activities, and we
did not exceed the 20
percent administration
spending cap.
In addition to CDBG funds, the DPCD also spent $63,594.16 in HOME funds to undertake
additional affordable housing activities. The City of Salem is a member of the North Shore HOME
Consortium and the specific accomplishments of HOME activities are reported to HUD through the
Consortium by the City of Peabody. However, a summary of our activities is reported within this
document.
During FY17, the DPCD continued to make significant progress toward meeting the goals and
objectives laid out in the 5-Year Consolidated Plan and FY17 Action Plan. The following is a
summary of accomplishments for each of our program areas – Affordable Housing, Public Services,
Economic Development, Neighborhood Improvements and Planning & Administration. In the
Financial Summary tables found in each program area, “funding available” indicates the total CDBG
funds available during the fiscal year, including FY17 and prior year carried over funds+/- any
adjustments made during the year. Status is as of June 30, 2017.
2 HUD refers to Salem’s FY17 as Program Year 2016 (the funding source year)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FY17 CDBG & HOME Expenditures by Category
Neighborhood
Improvements
28%
Affordable
Housing
25%
Economic
Development
14%
Public Services
14%
Planning &
Administration
19%
Fig. 1 FY17 Spending by Category,
as a Percentage of Total CDBG & HOME Expenditures
2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS
Salem has a number of services that address affordable housing issues,
including rehabilitating and maintaining current housing stock,
developing new housing opportunities, assisting families in acquiring
housing and enabling struggling families to remain in their homes. In
FY17, Salem spent $277,915.93 in CDBG and HOME funds on
affordable housing projects and programs.
Table 1: FY17 Housing Financial Summary
Project Project Description Funding
Available Status
Housing
Rehabilitation
Loan Program
Provides technical and financial
assistance to help LMI homeowners
and landlords make needed
improvements to their properties.
$259,967.11
CDBG (FY17 &
carried over)
$106,012 CDBG funds spent
6 units improved (5 owners)
+ 1 emergency project at
non-profit owned facility
First Time
Homebuyer
Program
Provides 0% interest deferred
payment loans to LMI families
purchasing a home in Salem.
$44,324.81 CDBG
$39,691.53 CDBG funds
spent
5 Salem families assisted (5
units)
Congress Street
Residences
(Congress &
Ward)
N. S. CDC will rehabilitate 5
buildings on Congress & Ward
Streets (30 affordable housing units
and 1 commercial unit).
$50,000 HOME
(FY15)
$44,646.16 HOME funds
spent (financial closing
completed in June, 2016;
work nearing completion)
Rental
Assistance
Programs
Funds are used to help low- and
extremely low-income Salem
residents move into decent,
affordable rental units.
$91,044 (including
$35,044 of FY16)
in open HOME
Contracts
$18,948 in HOME funds
spent
18 families assisted
Congress/Dow
Street Housing
Revitalization
N. S. CDC acquired 3 buildings on
Congress & Dow Streets for 34
affordable units, some for formerly
homeless families.
$28.78
FY15 Acquisition completed
$28.78 CDBG funds spent
Units created to be reported
in future CAPER
Harbor &
Lafayette
Homes
The North Shore CDC will
rehabilitate 2 buildings on Harbor &
Lafayette Streets to create 27
affordable housing units.
$50,000 HOME
(FY15) $0 funds spent (in pre-
development)
Boston Street
Crossing
Harborlight Community Partners
will rehab 2 buildings on Boston St.
(26 studio units) for formerly
homeless individuals, along with
providing supportive services.
$185,000 HOME
(FY16 & FY17)
$0 funds spent (financial
closing expected Summer,
2017)
Affordable
Housing
Development
Funding pool for pre-development,
acquisition and/or projects with
rehabilitation of affordable housing
units (at or below 80% of AMI) by
non-profit housing developers
and/or CHDO’s.
$75,000 CDBG $0 funds spent
Unit at 26 Carlton Street assisted
through the First Time
Homebuyer Downpayment
Assistance Program
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Project Project Description Funding
Available Status
Housing
Program
Delivery
Costs associated with providing
rehabilitation programs &
inspectional services.
$83,805.46
CDBG (FY17 &
carried over)
$3,039 HOME
(FY17)
$65,550.46 in CDBG funds, &
$3,039 in HOME admin funds
spent for housing program
delivery & inspectional services
including lead inspection.
HOME Program
The City of Salem is a member of the North Shore HOME Consortium. The City of Peabody
administers the Consortium and maintains all documentation regarding Salem’s participation,
including accomplishments in Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS) – HUD’s
on-line reporting program. The Housing Coordinator and/or the Assistant Development Director
attend regular meetings of the North Shore HOME Consortium.
During FY17, the City of Salem spent $66,633.16 in HOME funds. $44,646.16 was spent toward
the Congress & Ward Street portion of North Shore CDC’s Congress Street Residences project,
(with properties at Congress and Dow) which will result in 63 units of affordable housing; 600
applicants applied for the affordable housing lottery for the project in 2016. $18,948 in HOME
funds were used to fund Rental Downpayment Assistance Programs. A Rental Downpayment
Assistance Program assists low- and extremely low-income Salem households to help pay first and
last month’s rents and security deposits to enable them to secure decent, affordable housing. The
program is an important tool for helping families with the costs of moving into a decent apartment.
The FY17 Action Plan projected that up to 41 households would be assisted; 18 families were
assisted through contracts with North Shore Community Action Program, Inc., which was below
the expected goal. NSCAP reports that it has had difficulty in getting applicants that meet one of
the three federal preferences and has decided to increase the maximum it will provide to eligible
applicants going forward. Citizens for Adequate Housing was also under contract, but did not
expend any funds during this year.
Foreclosure Prevention
Located at www.salem.com/pages/salemma_dpcd/additionalresources/other, the city’s website
contains a list of links to various resources for foreclosure prevention and legal assistance. Housing
staff are also able to offer assistance to families threatened with the possibility of foreclosure.
Foreclosure can result in families being displaced from their home and can also result in increased
demand for affordable rental units by both the former homeowner and by any displaced tenants.
Salem continues to fund Rental Downpayment Assistance programs at NSCAP and Citizens for
Adequate Housing to provide first/last month’s rent and security which can be used by displaced
families.
Foreclosure can also result in vacant buildings, which can have a deteriorating effect on
neighborhoods. In an effort to re-occupy and repair foreclosed properties, the City’s First-Time
Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Loan Program is available to first-time buyers who hope to
take advantage of the lower price that they may get by purchasing a foreclosed upon home. The
Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program is available to investors who purchase foreclosed properties
so that they can bring the property up to code and turn them into affordable rental units. As part of
the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program, any renovated rental units are restricted to affordable
rents and must be occupied by low- to moderate-income households for a period of 15 years.
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Salem Council on Aging
Art Program participants
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - PUBLIC SERVICES
The Consolidated Plan identified the need for various social service
programs that primarily benefit Salem’s low- to moderate-income population
and those with special needs (such as physically or mentally disabled, elderly
or frail elderly, youth, non-English speaking residents, persons living with
HIV/AIDS, substance abusers and homeless persons and families). In
FY17, our priority goals were to continue to support a broad range of social
service programs that are consistent with the needs and goals identified in
the Consolidated Plan and the FY17 Action Plan.
Public service projects funded during FY17 were selected using a Request for
Proposals (RFP) process. The Citizen Advisory Committee reviewed all
applications received, using criteria that included project eligibility and
documented need for services. Recommendations on funding levels were
provided to the Mayor following this review. All awards are made to non-
profit agencies or city departments to carry out the programs.
According to HUD regulations, we are allowed to commit up to 15 percent of our CDBG allocation
to public service activities. We are fortunate to have an excellent network of public service providers
that utilize our funds to best meet community needs, which is why we continue to spend just under
that limit. These public service activities provide direct benefit to our low- and moderate-income
residents; therefore it is important to continue funding at this level.
In FY17, we were able to expend $152,865.02 on 26 open public service contracts (including 19 FY17
contracts), which, in turn, assisted 8,204 people, including at least 669 youth and 271 seniors (see
Table 2 for Active Projects). All contracts with funds remaining are carried over to FY18.
Table2: FY17 Public Services Financial Summary
Agency
CDBG
Funding
Available
CDBG
Funds
Spent
Number
Assisted Program Impact
1647 National Center on Time &
Learning $19,240 $4,840.00 73 youth
Provided 82 teacher home visits
with 2 teachers at each visit, for
students the Bentley Academy
Charter School. 134 families
received a relationship-building
home visit, representing 52% of the
enrolled students. The visits address
family involvement in the child’s
education in order to improve
learning. 1647 also provides training
to new staff on conducting home
visits.
Aspire Developmental Services,
Inc.
North Shore Infant & Toddler
Preschool Program
$4,800.00 $4,800.00 70 children
For children with physical and
developmental disabilities to attend
integrated developmental play
groups once per week. 30 children
will continue to attend. The
children who have aged out of the
program have gone to local private
day cares and preschools (12), Salem
Public Schools (14), Head Start (14).
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Agency
CDBG
Funding
Available
CDBG
Funds
Spent
Number
Assisted Program Impact
Boys & Girls Club
$5,000.00 $5,000.00 213 youth
Provided daily homework help on
weekdays for 8 months (5400 visits)
for students ages 5-12.
Catholic Charities
Homeless Prevention Program $9,800.00 $9,800.00 26 persons
Assisted 12 households with
avoiding eviction and homelessness
through payment of rental
arrearages. Each household also
received budget counseling,
information and referral and
advocacy when needed.
East Gate Fellowship: Joseph’s
Storehouse $9,282.43 $9,282.43 1611
persons
Provide a supplemental food
assistance to 1550 unique Salem
residents from 660 Salem
households for a total of 4535 Salem
household visits during the period
of 7/1/16 through 5/31/17.
Haven From Hunger
Food Pantry $9,000.00 $9,000.00 812 persons
Provided food to 242 Salem families
through 1018 visits to the food
pantry over 4 months (336,427
pounds of food).
H.A.W.C.
Children’s Program $9,000.00 $9,000.00 68 persons
Assisted 33 adults and 35 children
who are victims of domestic
violence. From July, 2016 through
December, 2016, 98 hours of
Children's Play Pals groups were
held, 31.5 hours of domestic
violence 101 support groups were
held, 15 hours of weekly house
meeting were held, 9.5 hours of
Mommy & Group were held 8
hours of Parenting Group were
held, 6 hours of DV 101 &
Budgeting Group were held and 14
hours of Self-Care Group were held.
Independent Living Center
Accessible Housing Education
Services Program
$4,800.00 $4,800.00
42 disabled
persons/
households
Provided two housing forums, one
on availability of housing and one
on housing rights. ILCNSCA also
provided individual independent
living services and information and
referral (in-office and telephone) on
housing issues resulting in 5
placements/relocations into AAA
housing. Through six monthly
Universal Housing Application
assistance workshops ILCNSCA
assisted consumers to complete and
submit 16 Universal applications
and 13 Section-8 HCV applications
submitted to Salem Housing
Authority.
6
Agency
CDBG
Funding
Available
CDBG
Funds
Spent
Number
Assisted Program Impact
Inversant
Salem Families College Savings
Program
$11,200.00 $11,000.00 34 youth
Inversant facilitated a total of 7
workshops. 100% of senior families
that successfully completed all
program requirements filled out the
FAFSA. 100% of senior families
that successfully completed all
program requirements enrolled into
a higher education institution.
11 students completed the program
requirements and saved the
minimum required to receive
matching funds through this
program.
LEAP for Education $9,800.00 $9,800.00 71 youth
Provided assistance to Salem teens
in high school and college, meeting
with high school junior and senior
students at least 3 hours per week.
As a result of these activities, 62
applications to college were
submitted, 14 applications for
college financial aid were submitted
and 9 students took college entrance
exams from October, 2016 through
March, 2017.
Lifebridge
Medical Support Services $9,800.00 $9,800.00 238 persons
Provided wound care, general health
assessments, symptom management,
diabetic monitoring and education.
845 health assessments were
completed by the Lifebridge nurse
between September, 2016 and
February, 2017. They also
conducted street outreach services
to connect homeless individuals
with shelter services and provided
referrals to medical, mental health,
substance abuse and social service
providers.
NSCAP
Homeless Prevention Program $9,000.00 $9,000.00 31 persons Assisted 16 families with rent
assistance to avoid homelessness.
North Shore CDC
Family Stability Program $5,490.04 $3,719.49 95 persons
Provide 87 ESL/ELL classes from
September 2016 to June, 2017 for a
total of 140 hours, 3 first time
homebuyer sessions, 3 financial
literacy workshops, along with 32
tax preparation sessions.
North Shore Moving Market $4,600.00 $4,600.00 91 persons
Assisted approximately 58 Salem
households with monthly deliveries
of food.
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Agency
CDBG
Funding
Available
CDBG
Funds
Spent
Number
Assisted Program Impact
Salem Community Child Chare $9,000.00 $9,000.00 14 youth
Education and care is provided
from 1:30-5:30 Monday through
Friday when school is in session and
7:00 to 5:30 during school
vacations. Children were assisted
with homework in order to help
them complete kindergarten and
prepare them for first grade.
Salem Council on Aging
Art Program $2,500.00 $791.14 29 seniors
Art projects included bead
necklaces, rice mandelas, rain sticks,
water color paintings, bead
bracelets, dream catchers, paper
fans, finger painting, yarn flowers,
decoupage frames, wall hangings,
clay bowl design, and creating beads
from recycled magazines. Classes
averaged 10-12 participants.
Salem Council on Aging
Transportation Program $15,300.00 $15,300.00 242 seniors
Drivers for the senior transportation
program provided 15,710 rides to
the following: 5779 to the Council
on Aging, 3517 medical, 3530
shopping, 398 events, 575
barber/hairdresser, 84 library, 486
YMCA, 173 bank, 551
volunteer/employment, 619 other.
Salem Police Department
Bicycle and Walk/Ride Patrols $13,115.32 $3,476.24 4,120
persons
Provided targeted teamed bike
patrols in the Point Neighborhood.
They concentrate on the reduction
of crime, loiterers, drug interaction
& improving quality of life.
Salem YMCA
School Age Child Care Program $9,800.00 $9,800.00 194 youth
Provided child care with curriculum
based instruction, enrichment
activities, swimming and field trips 5
days per week.
Salvation Army
Homeless Prevention $9,608.68 $2,219.00 8 persons
Assisted 5 households with
homelessness prevention (rent
arrearage).
V.O.C.E.S.
Hispanic Education Program $4,955.51 $4,836.72 115 persons
Provided 156 classes in either
Citizenship Education or GED
Preparation in Spanish. This year
they reported 66 new U. S. citizens.
Wellspring House
MediClerk Program $3,000.00 $3,000.00 7 persons
13 week training course. This year,
7 students completed the program.
Students received instruction in
Goals/Job Search Strategies,
Medical Terminology, Medical
Office Procedures, Business
Communication, Computer Skills &
Keyboarding, Professional Success
and an Applied Skills Laboratory.
Job shadowing was conducted.
TOTAL PERSONS ASSISTED 8,204 persons,
including at least 669 youth & 271 seniors
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Kokeshi ribbon cutting and exterior
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The City of Salem is dedicated to
economic development through efforts
to stimulate our local economy,
revitalize the downtown and
neighborhood commercial districts,
improve exterior building façades, and
assist local business owners. This
focus brings new employers and new
jobs to the city, while retaining jobs by
helping existing businesses improve
their commercial infrastructure or expand their operations. During
FY17, several new businesses opened in the downtown bringing new
goods and services locally. Salem has also seen a surge of
redevelopment in the past few years. The increased development
brings vitality to the downtown and, in the process, improves and stabilizes neighborhood business
districts. Improved vitality in our neighborhood and downtown commercial districts also has the
residual effect of improving public safety. Salem’s unemployment rate continues to steadily
improve. Salem’s unemployment rate as of July 2017 is 4.6 percent.3
Table 3: FY17 Economic Development Financial Summary
Program Description
CDBG
Funding
Available
Status
Storefront Improvement
Program
Provides design assistance and/or
matching funding up to $5,000 to
business owners wishing to improve
the exterior façade of their business.
$29,332.55 $5,000 CDBG spent
1 Storefront assisted
Business Loan Program
Provides three types of loans that
fund commercial rehabilitation, job
creation or retention and/or micro-
enterprise assistance to make our
commercial areas vibrant.
$102,676.91 $36,640 CDBG spent
1 businesses assisted
Business
Technical
Assistance
Salem Main
Streets
Program
Provides commercial district
revitalization through organization,
promotion, economic restructuring
and design.
$35,000.00
$35,000 CDBG spent
8 new full & part time
jobs documented (=7
FTE)
Assisted 6 new, 37
existing and 7
prospective businesses
(including 34 micro-
enterprises and 6
expanding businesses)
Economic
Development
Program
Delivery
Costs associated with providing
Economic Development programs
and administration of the Salem
Redevelopment Authority.
$83,422.81
$83,422.81 CDBG
spent
(see description below)
3 Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Department of Unemployment Assistance
9
In total, $160,062.81 in CDBG funds was spent during the program period for economic
development activities, including technical assistance provided by the City of Salem’s Economic
Development (ED) Planner, who administers the City’s financial assistance programs, undertakes
numerous economic development initiatives and provides administration to the Salem
Redevelopment Authority, which oversees the Urban Renewal Area.
Technical assistance is provided to potential, new and existing businesses including micro-
enterprises, in the downtown, Point Neighborhood and other commercial areas, and includes:
Working with businesses on business locations, business expansion;
Development of tax increment financing agreements;
Liaising with state economic development agencies to provide businesses with access to tax
credits and other incentives;
Coordinating the development of neighborhood and economic development plans;
Acting as a liaison between businesses and the Salem Redevelopment Authority, including
processing of applications and attending meetings;
Managing the Salem Main Streets contract; and,
Managing Small Business Financial Assistance Programs
o Small Business Loan Program – Work with businesses to submit applications, underwriting,
loan documents, job monitoring
o Storefront Improvement Program (to undertake exterior improvements, building code
improvements and purchase of signage for businesses in the Urban Renewal Area and LMI
neighborhoods).
During FY17, DPCD’s Economic Development Planner worked on several significant
redevelopment projects, including:
The approval of 33 projects including, but not limited to, installation of signs, public art
installations, and façade/building renovations proposed within Salem’s Urban Renewal Area.
The ED Planner worked with applicants on all required information needed for Board
submissions and ultimate approvals. The public art installations approved and installed include:
o Celebrating the Urban Environment – The Salem Public Art Commission chose three
lcations in the downtown and issued a call for works:
o “Pavilion” by Matthias Neumann, a site-specific sculptural work using unfinished
wood as the construction material now located at the corner of New Derby and
Washington Street.
o “From a Quiet Place” is a mural painted on vinyl and located on the entrance wall of
the old train station.
o “Whispers of Salem”, although not requiring approval as there isn’t a physical piece
of art, the project is an augmented reality sound installation.
o Mural Slam – Held for a second year, the slam is a two-day event where selected artists paint
work on plywood boards mounted on the back of stalls at Salem’s Artists’ Row. The event
was held during the Salem Arts Festival and the pieces are still in place.
o Art in Residence Pilot Program at Artists’ Row – The Salem Public Art Commission and the
Public Art Planner worked with Claudia Paraschiv to do the Artist in Residence Pilot
Program. Paraschiv’s proposal included building a community table and adding events to
the Row over a five-week period in Summer, 2017.
o Lesley University Project for Artists’ Row - In Collaboration with Salem Public Art
Commission and Public Art Planner students from Lesley University worked on re -branding
10
Artists’ Row. The four person team from the University presented the c ompleted project
that included new paint colors, new doors and windows for better interior lighting and to see
into the stalls, new barn door to replace the metal gate on the bathroom as well as new
signage on the entrance and interior of the Row. The project will be completed by
September 2017.
Managing two MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant funded projects totaling over $7.1M:
o $3.36M project to relocate public utilities from underneath a publically owned parcel of land,
in order to enable the sale of the parcel to a private developer planning a $50M mixed-use
redevelopment project to include a hotel, ground floor retail, offices, residences, and parking.
This project is scheduled to be complete in FY19.
o $3.75M project to design and construct a “complete streets” rebuild of a primary entrance
corridor leading into Salem’s downtown that will also support several mixed use housing
projects with retail, as well as the City’s new “Community Life Center” (senior center).
Coordination of all processes related to the redevelopment of the City’s former District Court
site. The project currently calls for a new building to be constructed that will contain 61
condominium units (six units will be deed restricted affordable), on-site parking, and ground
floor retail.
Production and local and state approval of a Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP)
Zone and Plan. HDIP is a state enabled program that incentivizes the development of market
rate housing in Massachusetts “Gateway Cities.”4
Coordination of the production of a pre-development study of a City owned parcel directly
adjacent to the downtown commuter rail station.
Coordination of pre-development work for the adaptive reuse of the Superior Court and County
Commissioner’s buildings.
The Economic Development Planner continues to work with the North Shore Community
Development Coalition and other local stakeholder partners on the implementation of the “Salem
Point Neighborhood Vision and Action Plan.” Action items call for quality of life improve ments to
the Point Neighborhood, which is Salem’s foremost environmental justice neighborhood. Examples
of the type of projects being implemented include sidewalk repairs, park improvements, community
programming, and public art.
The Economic Development Planner continues to collaborate with the Salem Chamber of
Commerce on several economic development topics including downtown transportation, business
recruitment and retention, and the development of policy suggestions for the City to consider that
will streamline permitting for small businesses.
The Economic Development Planner is also the City’s representative board member on the North
Shore Workforce Investment Board, which serves as the oversight and policy-making body for
federally funded employment and training services in the 19 community North Shore Region. The
board also has the broader role of addressing critical labor market issues and developing strategic
4 For more information about Gateway Cities: https://massinc.org/our-work/policy-center/gateway-cities/about-the-
gateway-cities/
11
partnerships with local leaders in economic development, the K-12 and higher education system,
government agencies, and chambers of commerce, as well as community-based and labor
organizations. The board charters and oversees a one-stop career center, North Shore Career
Center, located in Salem, with satellite offices throughout the North Shore.
The Economic Development Planner prepared the following grant applications in FY2017, which
support various Economic Development initiatives:
MassWorks Infrastructure Program, for roadway and streetscape improvements in Salem’s
North River Canal Corridor neighborhood - $4.3M (awarded as $3.75M).
MassDevelopment “Site Readiness” program to fund a pre-development study of the City’s
DPW yard parcel (did not receive award).
Table 4: Active Economic Development Loans in FY17 & Additional Job Monitoring
Project Amount of
Assistance
Total Jobs Monitored
(mix of part/full time)
Salem Main Streets (t/a) $35,000 8 new jobs = 7 FTE
Deacon Giles - loan $31,845 4 new jobs = 2 FTE
Crowther Brewing, LLC
(Derby Joe) - loan $31,445 4 new jobs = 3 FTE
Kokeshi/Ragazza $36,620 To be monitored in FY18
12
Downtown North
Neighborhood History Sign
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS
The City of Salem is committed to undertaking the infrastructure
and public facility improvements needed to make our city a livable
community. By continually investing in neighborhoods, Salem
aspires to be the best place it can be for people to live and work.
Due to the size and scope of these types of activities, some require
multi-year funding, as well as a few years to plan, permit and
complete the project. To that end, some of our Neighborhood
Improvement Projects are still in the planning, permitting or
bidding stages. The following table outlines the current
neighborhood improvement projects and their status at the close
of FY17. Neighborhood Improvement Projects can only take
place in those areas eligible for CDBG funding (see Appendix for
map); therefore, all the projects listed are designated for these
target neighborhoods.
During the program period, we continued to work on important neighborhood projects, and spent a
total of $319,571.74 including program delivery costs, toward meeting the goals in the FY17 Action
Plan and 5 Year Consolidated Plan.
Table 5: FY17 Neighborhood Improvement Financial Summary
Activity CDBG Funds
Available
CDBG Funds
Spent Status
Mary Jane Lee Park Improvements $66,416.24 $66,416.24 Complete
Artist Row Sidewalks $88,875.00 $8,875.00 Complete
Neighborhood History Sign Installation $5,756.01 $5,756.01 Complete
Street Improvements (i.e. sidewalks,
curbcuts, paving & crosswalks) $94,062.85 $68,194.12 Ongoing
Salem Council on Aging Improvements $79,871.85 $65,387.74 Ongoing
Point Area Flood Improvement-
Trash/Guards $115,525.05 $51,216.88 Underway
Lafayette Park Improvements $168,488.63 $31,904.48 Bidding
McGlew Park Improvements $126,022.31 $14,950.31 Bidding
Point Neighborhood community space
Art Mural $6,754.49 $6,754.49 Underway
Peabody Street Park canopy/overhang $9,916.47 $116.47 Underway
Lappin Park Drinking Fountain $2,916.00 $0 Underway
Splaine Park Embankment $18,350.00 $0 Design
Teen Center Furnace Purchase $7,500.00 $0 Planning
Tree Planting Program $5,000.00 $0 Ongoing
Downtown Pedestrian Mall
Improvements $94,928.92 $0 Planning
Point Visioning Projects $32,735.80 $0 Planning
Boston Street Neighborhood $25,000.00 $0 Planning
13
Example of a completed Survey Form
from the Downtown Survey
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION
In the Consolidated Plan, our priority administrative goals are to
provide for the administrative costs associated with the
management of the Salem Community Development Block Grant
program and to develop the planning resources and documents
necessary to undertake program activities.
During FY17, the City used CDBG funds to update the
Downtown Salem historic properties inventory and to undertake
environmental testing at the recently acquired lot at 289 Derby
Street.
In FY17, we spent a total of $214,406.68 in Planning and
Administration for planning projects completed in the fiscal year
and administration expenses necessary to carry out our programs.
As stated previously, we were able to remain under the
administrative spending cap of 20 percent.
Table 7: FY17 Planning & Administration Financial Summary
Activity CDBG Funds
Available
CDBG Funds
Spent
Survey & Planning Grant – Downtown Survey $20,000.00 $20,000.00
289 Derby Street environmental $6,400.00 $6,400.00
Sideman Study Update $2,750.00 $0
Open Door Immigration Services $10,000.00 $0
North Shore Community Health $10,000.00 $0
General Administration - Non-salary $7,584.36 $7,150.81
General Administration - Benefits $43,163.32 $43,163.32
General Administration - Salary $137,692.55 $137,692.55
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
14
CR-05 - Goals and Outcomes
Progress the jurisdiction has made in carrying out its strategic plan and its action plan.
91.520(a)
Please note that the CAPER in IDIS defaulted to Version 4, which was an amendment to the Consolidated
Plan and Anual Action Plan (AAP) for Gloucester, which resulted in marking all Salem projects as status
"Canceled" and as Program Year 2015. The correct version is Version 3 for HUD PY2016, but we unable
to alter the defaulted version. The result is our accomplishments are not associated with a strategic plan
goal and we had to enter all accomplishment data manually.
For Affordable Housing Development the 27 units that was proposed in the 2015 AAP was for the
Harbor/Lafayette project, now being funded with HOME funds, and to be reported through the
Consortium when complete. The Congress/Dow project is near completion and accomplishment data
should be provided in the next CAPER.
For Business Technical Assistance, the Salem Main Streets Program provided technical assistance to 50
new, existing or potential businesses, including 34 micro-enterprise businesses and 6 expanding
businesses, exceeding our FY16 Action Plan goal of assisting 22 microenterprises. In addition, 8 new
jobs were documented (7 FTE) exceeding the goal of 5 jobs.
For Community Support Services, our AAP goal was to provide approximately 21 new grants and serve
an estimated 9,000 persons. We were on par by executing agreements for 21 new grants and through
these new grants and carried over open contracts, we assisted 8,328 persons. One program is in an LMI
census track of 4120 persons. There were two actual activities for this program due to carried over
funds, but for accomplishment purposes, the numbers were not duplicated.
Downtown Improvements accomplishment number (5055 expected) is based on the census tracks in the
Downtown Slum/Blight area, which includes several activities. In Table 2, rather than multiply 5055
times the number of activities completed, we used 5055 as the total actual, avoiding inflated or
duplicated numbers.
We were at our goal to assist five households to purchase their first home through the First Time
Homebuyer Program by assisting 5 households.
The Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program continues to assist families in need and to meet or exceed the
goals laid out in the Consolidated Plan. In FY17, we exceeded our estimate of rehabilitating 2 housing
units with having improved 6 housing units, plus assistance to a non-profit owned facility.
Neighborhood Improvement Activities' accomplishments are the census track totals for the completed
Mary Jane Lee Park Improvements, Street Improvements and the Neighborhood History Sign installation
(although there are additional open activities with expenditures). Projects underway include the Salem
Council on Aging facility, Point Area Flood Improvements, Lafayette Park Improvements, McGlew Park
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
15
Improvements, Point Neighborhood community space art mural and Peabody St. Park canopy.
Additional projects from the AAP are in the planning stage and these funds will be carried over to FY18.
For our Small Business Financial Assistance Programs, we proposed assisted 2 businesses and creating a
minimum of 2 jobs. While we only assisted 1 business. However, monitoring of two businesses assisted
in FY1, we were able to document 8 new jobs (5 FTE).
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
16
Comparison of the proposed versus actual outcomes for each outcome measure submitted with the consolidated plan and explain, if
applicable, why progress was not made toward meeting goals and objectives. 91.520(g)
Categories, priority levels, funding sources and amounts, outcomes/objectives, goal outcome indicators, units of measure, targets, actual
outcomes/outputs, and percentage completed for each of the grantee’s program year goals.
Goal Category Source /
Amount
Indicator Unit of
Measure
Expected
–
Strategic
Plan
Actual –
Strategic
Plan
Percent
Complete
Expected
–
Program
Year
Actual –
Program
Year
Percent
Complete
Affordable
Housing
Affordable
Housing
CDBG:
$
Rental units
constructed
Household
Housing
Unit
56 0
0.00% 2 0
0.00%
Business
Technical
Assistance
Non-Housing
Community
Development
CDBG:
$ Jobs created/retained Jobs 10 13
130.00% 5 7
140.00%
Business
Technical
Assistance
Non-Housing
Community
Development
CDBG:
$ Businesses assisted Businesses
Assisted 50 82
164.00% 22 37
168.18%
Community
Support Services
Homeless
Non-Homeless
Special Needs
CDBG:
$
Public service
activities other than
Low/Moderate
Income Housing
Benefit
Persons
Assisted 45000 16532
36.74% 8600 8204
95.40%
Downtown
Improvements
Non-Housing
Community
Development
CDBG:
$
Public Facility or
Infrastructure
Activities other than
Low/Moderate
Income Housing
Benefit
Persons
Assisted 5055 5055
100.00% 5055 5055
100.00%
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
17
First Time
Homebuyer
Program
Affordable
Housing
CDBG:
$
Direct Financial
Assistance to
Homebuyers
Households
Assisted 25 8
32.00% 5 5
100.00%
Housing
Rehabilitation
Programs
Affordable
Housing
CDBG:
$
Homeowner Housing
Rehabilitated
Household
Housing
Unit
20 13
65.00% 2 6
300.00%
Neighborhood
Improvements
Activities
Non-Homeless
Special Needs
CDBG:
$
Public Facility or
Infrastructure
Activities other than
Low/Moderate
Income Housing
Benefit
Persons
Assisted 8265 8265
100.00% 8265 8265
100.00%
Small Business
Financial
Assistance
Programs
Non-Housing
Community
Development
CDBG:
$ Jobs created/retained Jobs 15 24
160.00% 2 9
450.00%
Small Business
Financial
Assistance
Programs
Non-Housing
Community
Development
CDBG:
$ Businesses assisted Businesses
Assisted 5 4
80.00% 2 1
50.00%
Table 1 - Accomplishments – Program Year & Strategic Plan to Date
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
18
Assess how the jurisdiction’s use of funds, particularly CDBG, addresses the priorities and
specific objectives identified in the plan, giving special attention to the highest priority
activities identified.
Overall, we made significant progress toward meeting the priorities and objectives of our 5-year
Consolidated Plan and FY17 Action Plan. The following is a summary of major activities accomplished in
FY17:
5 families assisted to purchase their first home in Salem;
7 housing units were renovated;
Emergency housing assistance provided for a non-profit owned facility;
18 families received assistance with first/last month’s rent and/or security deposits (HOME
funds);
22 social service programs assisted 8,204 persons, including at least 669 youth and at least 271
seniors;
1 business provided with an economic development loan;
1 business provided with storefront design assistance;
8 new jobs documented;
Salem Main Streets Program highlights: Assisted 6 new, 37 existing businesses and 7 potential
businesses (including 34 micro-enterprises and 6 expanding businesses), 1 business assisted
resulting in documentation of 8 new jobs (7FTE). Technical assistance included one-on-one
design assistance. appearance and marketing (including social media), advocacy, strategy,
expansion assistance, relocation assistance. The also provided targeted promotions, ribbon
cuttings and events. Events included the Farmers Market, Ice Scream Bowl, Salem Winter
Farmers Market, Haunted Happenings, Howl-o-ween Parade, Holiday Tree Lighting, Holiday
Window Decoration Contest and Santa Arrival events, Salem Festive Fridays, Small Business
Saturday, New Years Eve Salem launch, Salem So Sweet Festival, Salem Film Festival Window
Contest, Salem Arts Festival and PEM/PM Artopia.
Improvements completed at Mary Jane Lee Park;
Artists Row Sidewalks completed;
Neighborhood History Signs installed in 6 locations (3 CDBG funded);
Council on Aging building repairs and improvements undertaken including roof repairs, door
replaement and restoration of the brownstone façade;
Curbcuts installation complted on Lafayette Street at Dodge and Peabody Streets; and
Sidewalks complted on Boston, Horton, Willson and Linden Streets.
Salem has received significant cuts in CDBG (22%) and HOME (52%) funds from FY11 to FY17. Still,
despite the reduction in HUD funding, we are proud of the accomplishments made and that we continue
to meet Salem needs and goals.
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
19
CR-10 - Racial and Ethnic composition of families assisted
Describe the families assisted (including the racial and ethnic status of families assisted).
91.520(a)
CDBG
White 2,338
Black or African American 674
Asian 43
American Indian or American Native 43
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 23
Total 3,121
Hispanic 1,530
Not Hispanic 1,591
Table 2 – Table of assistance to racial and ethnic populations by source of funds
Narrative
The table numbers are generated by IDIS based on accomplishment data entered. Please note that the
total persons served is less than last year due to activity #1512 for Council on Aging improvements. The
number of persons served by the project (10,567) was reported in FY16 and was not reported here in
FY2017, so as to avoid duplication in reporting under the same activity.
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
20
CR-15 - Resources and Investments 91.520(a)
Identify the resources made available
Source of Funds Source Resources Made
Available
Amount Expended
During Program Year
CDBG CDBG 1,107,757 1,058,189
HOME HOME
HOPWA HOPWA
ESG ESG
Housing Trust Fund Housing Trust Fund 0 0
Other Other 1,331,296
Table 3 - Resources Made Available
Narrative
The total of $2,409,538.53 includes:
CDBG funds – the actual amount spent in FY17 ($1,058,189.02).
City of Salem - the actual amount of City of Salem funds spent on salaries and benefits ($558,445.56).
City of Salem CIP - the amount budgeted in FY17 toward projects also being funded with CDBG and/or
CPA funds ($0 in FY17).
CPA funds - the total of amount of surcharge funds collected ($583,750.08), not including penalties or
interest, and including the State match funds received ($114,479) for a total of $698,229.08.
HOME funds - the actual amount spent in FY17 ($63,594.16).
MA Office of Coastal Zone Management - the actual amount spent during year 2, FY17 ($31,080.71) of a
$275,000 grant received.
Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments
Target Area Planned Percentage of
Allocation
Actual Percentage of
Allocation
Narrative Description
Table 4 – Identify the geographic distribution and location of investments
Narrative
Salem does not allocate a specific amount of dollars to a specific geographic area. Rather we identify a
need, develop a program or activity to meet the need and assign the dollars that will be used to address
the need. Some programs and activities undertaken are available on a citywide basis to income eligible
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
21
households. Other programs and activities are targeted to particular neighborhoods with
concentrations of low- and moderate-income households or to programs that benefit specific
populations such as senior citizens, disabled persons and minorities.
When prioritizing activities, the City pays special attention to those low- and moderate-income (LMI)
neighborhoods where the greatest needs have been identified and whose public facilities and
infrastructure are in the worst condition. A map of the LMI neighborhoods is located in the
Appendix. In accordance with CDBG regulations, the City can undertake specific activities, such as
street, sidewalk and playground improvements in the LMI neighborhoods or in neighborhoods meeting
the definition of “slums and blight”, with the exception of handicap access improvements which can
typically be undertaken city-wide. Some projects are undertaken on other publically owned land, such
as park improvements.
Recognizing that needs are not solely located in distressed neighborhoods, the City also offers programs
that may be accessed by people living outside these areas. For example, the Housing Rehabilitation
Loan Program, First Time Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Program, and the Small Business Loan
Program are offered citywide to allow any low to moderate-income individual or household to take
advantage of their availability.
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
22
Leveraging
Explain how federal funds leveraged additional resources (private, state an d local funds),
including a description of how matching requirements were satisfied, as well as how any
publicly owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that were used to address the
needs identified in the plan.
In order to maximize accomplishments and make projects feasible, CDBG funds often must be
combined with other funding sources. The following summarizes the amount of funds
leveraged in FY17 that we were able to document.
Housing
For the First Time Homebuyer Program, homebuyers provided $74,999 in private funds
as well as obtained $1,087,685 in financing from a primary lender.
For the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program, homeowners provided $3,050 in private
funds.
The $50,000 in Salem CDBG funds for Congress Street Residences (which includes
Dow/Congress and Dow/Ward activities) leveraged over $35 million in other funds
including AHTF, CATNHP, HIF, HOME and HSF for a total of $4,000,000 subordinate
DHCD State debt, $15,655,558.51 in private equity, $360,824 in public equity, $93,505
CPA funds, Eastern Bank direct bond purchase of $5,655,150 and $9,438,750 in
construction loans, seller note of $180,755, and Salem HOME funds of $50,000. The
leveraged funds for the acquisition portion of Congress/Dow ($3,095,933 in CPA and
LISC loan funds) was reported in the FY16 CAPER.
Economic Development:
The Salem Main Streets Program leveraged $76,637.20. Of this total, $13,696.77 was
from local business and donations and $62,940.43 was from event fees and donations to
cover costs.
The business loan for which CDBG funds were expended this program period leveraged
$285,000 in private funds and $100,000 in conventional financing.
Storefront Improvement Program leveraged $5,485.31 in business matching funds.
Neighborhood Improvements (typically conducted only on publically owned land or
infrastructure):
Mary Jane Lee Park’s CDBG funds are leveraging a $400,000 PARC grant, $85,075 in CPA
funds and $60,000 in the City’s Capital Improvement Program funds.
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
23
McGlew Park funds are being leveraged with $79,000 in CPA funds, a $400,000 PARC
grant and $100,383 in Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) funds.
The Lafayette Park project is leveraging $100,000 in CPA funds and $25,000 in CIP funds.
The Neighborhood History Signs project levereaged $2,000 in Essex Na tional Heritage
Area grant funds and $2,480.68 in CIP funds in order to install 6 total signs.
Planning & Administration:
Planning and administration funds leveraged $465,102.37 in City funds plus $93,343.19
in benefit costs, along with and $12,464.69 in State Seaport Advisory Council funds and
$16,451.49 in Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey and Planning Grant funds.
Public Services:
Most of the public service agencies funded use CDBG funds as a portion of their overall
activity budgets. Based on leveraged funds reports provided by each agency at the end
of the program year, the amount leveraged is $3,764,037.52 in other federal, state,
private or other funds.
Note: Leveraged funds for multi-year projects may be repeated within more than one year’s
CAPER. Above, leveraged funds are only included for projects for which CDBG funds were
expended during the fiscal year.
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
24
CR-20 - Affordable Housing 91.520(b)
Evaluation of the jurisdiction's progress in providing affordable housing, including th e
number and types of families served, the number of extremely low -income, low-income,
moderate-income, and middle-income persons served.
One-Year Goal Actual
Number of Homeless households to be
provided affordable housing units 0 0
Number of Non-Homeless households to be
provided affordable housing units 7 8
Number of Special-Needs households to be
provided affordable housing units 0 0
Total 7 8
Table 5 – Number of Households
One-Year Goal Actual
Number of households supported through
Rental Assistance 0 0
Number of households supported through
The Production of New Units 0 0
Number of households supported through
Rehab of Existing Units 2 5
Number of households supported through
Acquisition of Existing Units 5 5
Total 7 10
Table 6 – Number of Households Supported
Discuss the difference between goals and outcomes and problems encountered in meeting
these goals.
For the non-homeless households (2 under the Housing Rehabilitation Program and 5 under the First
Time Homebuyer Program), in FY17 we assisted 10 (5 under the Housing Rehabilitation Program and 5
under the First Time Homebuyer Program).
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
25
Rental assistance was provided to 18 families through the use of HOME funds, but these will be reported
through the North Shore HOME Consortium's CAPER. HOME funds also assisted with emergency
assistance at a shelter for battered women.
Discuss how these outcomes will impact future annual action plans.
We will continue to estimate proposed outcomes for future plans based on actual outcomes of current
and past plans. It should be noted that our one year goals are based on CDBG funding budgeted using
current fiscal year funds and do not include carried over, prior year funds.
Also of note, in July, 2015, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council provided an overview of their
analysis of local demographic data and housing stock and the key characteristics and trends in Salem
that help explain housing need and demand for the next 15 years. Their findings are located on the
Studies and Reports page of www.salem.com. These numbers reiterate the ongoing need for affordable
housing in Salem.
Include the number of extremely low-income, low-income, and moderate-income persons
served by each activity where information on income by family size is required to determine
the eligibility of the activity.
Number of Households Served CDBG Actual HOME Actual
Extremely Low-income 2 0
Low-income 5 0
Moderate-income 4 0
Total 11 0
Table 7 – Number of Households Served
Narrative Information
These numbers reflect the 5 households (not persons) assisted through the First Time Homebuyer
Program and the 6 households (not persons) assisted by the Housing Rehabilitation Program. These
show that Salem's housing programs serve all income levels, but predominantly (77%) those with low or
extremely low incomes. All of the moderate income families were assisted through the First Time
Homebuyer Program and the one family each was assisted through each of the two programs.
HOME numbers are reported through the North Shore HOME Consortium.
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
26
CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs 91.220(d, e); 91.320(d, e); 91.520(c)
Evaluate the jurisdiction’s progress in meeting its specific objectives for reducing and ending
homelessness through:
Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their
individual needs
The Salem Police Department, both through its normal staff complement and its Community Impact
Unit, work directly with the homeless in Salem. It also coordinates with Lifebridge to provide outreach
to homeless, some of whom may be unsheltered. CDBG provides funding via sub-grants to local and
regional organizations that provide direct services and outreach.
Through Lifebridge, a 34-bed shelter for men and women, the City partially funds a licensed nurse
through their Medical Support Services Program which provides on-site and community-based health
assessments to the homeless population, including wound care, general health assessments, symptom
management, diabetic monitoring, nutrition and general health education - 238 persons received a total
of 845 health assessments from September, 2016 to February, 2017.They also conducted street
outreach services to connect homeless individuals with shelter services and provided referrals to
medical, mental health, substance abuse and social service providers.
Addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons
Each year the City issues a Request for Proposals for agencies to submit funding proposals, including
proposals for emergency shelter and transitional housing needs. This year, new contracts were
executed contracts with Lifebridge for which the City partially funds a licensed nurse who provides on-
site and community-based health assessments to the homeless population, including wound care, blood
pressure monitoring, nutrition and general health education.
Funds were also provided to HAWC to provide childcare and therapeutic intervention for the mothers
and children at the shelter for abused women and their children- 33 adults and 35 children were
assisted. HAWC provides services to victims of domestic abuse and their children, including a homeless
prevention program also funded through CDBG. They also received HOME funds from Salem for rental
downpayments for clients to move into decent, affordable housing.
In addition to HAWC, Salem also funds Rental Downpayment Assistance to Citizens for Adequate
Housing and NSCAP with HOME funds to pay for first, last and security for eligible households moving
into affordable housing.
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
27
Helping low-income individuals and families avoid becoming homeless, especially extremely
low-income individuals and families and those who are: likely to become home less after
being discharged from publicly funded institutions and systems of care (such as health care
facilities, mental health facilities, foster care and other youth facilities, and corrections
programs and institutions); and, receiving assistance fro m public or private agencies that
address housing, health, social services, employment, education, or youth needs
As stated in the Action Plan, Salem awards CDBG-funded public social service sub-grants to provider
agencies and to housing and service organizations, including those whose core mission is to prevent
homelessness and to foster individual and family self-sufficiency. Each year the City allocates up to the
maximum allowed of its CDBG funding to public social services. All of these sub-grants benefit low- to
moderate-income individuals and families, many of whom are extremely low income. While the grants
made to organizations providing homeless or homelessness prevention services were not specifically
targeted to dischargees of publicly-funded institutions or care systems, these community partners
address a range of housing, health, and other social service needs. For example, North Shore CAP
provides a range of housing and social services to households in addition to assisting families who are
experiencing homelessness, while Lifebridge reports that an increasing majority of clients are being
discharged to the shelter from health care systems or are referred by other health care or service
agencies. Other types of services and programs that the City has funded include food pantries, child
care, health screening and education, ESOL, job readiness and skills training, financial education and
budgeting, and individual counseling and support groups.
In FY15, the City awarded CPA funds for North Shore CDC’s proposed project at 15-17 Harbor Street for
27 single room occupancy units for which 17 units will be set aside for formally-homeless, low-income
youth aging out of the foster care system. They are still working on obtaining funding for this $5
million+ project, but Salem has awarded $100,000 in CPA funds and $50,000 from HOME funds.
Helping homeless persons (especially chronically homeless individuals and families, families
with children, veterans and their families, and unaccompanied youth) make the transition to
permanent housing and independent living, including shortening the period of time that
individuals and families experience homelessness, facilitating access for homeless individuals
and families to affordable housing units, and preventing ind ividuals and families who were
recently homeless from becoming homeless again
The City of Salem has committed $185,000 in HOME funds to Harborlight Community Partners project to
rehabilitate two buildings on Boston St. (26 studio units) in order to house formerly homeless
individuals, along with providing supportive services.
Although not specifically for homeless persons, the City executed a HOME agreement with NSCAP to
provide for rental downpayment assistance to help extremely low- and low-income households
(including homeless) to move into decent, affordable rental units. In total, 18 families were provided
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
28
with this tenant based rental assistance.
The City's community partner, Lifebridge, offers a suite of essential services that target the needs of
homeless and disadvantaged adults, designed to promote education, employment, and self-
sufficiency. They offer 22 congregate units of permanent supportive housing for homeless persons to
make the transition. In addition to supporting Lifebridge efforts, the City awards CDBG social services
sub-grants to provider agencies to address goals of ending homelessness. These organizations may
provide transitional and permanent supportive housing to homeless and formerly homeless persons,
assist with housing search, housing counseling, and provide emergency housing assistance (e.g.,
delinquent rent and utility payments). Specifically, in FY17, agreements were executed with Catholic
Charities, Salvation Army and NSCAP for homeless prevention through emergency assistance of rental
payments in order to avoid eviction. Along with carried over contracts with Salvation Army, NSCAP and
HAWC, in FY17, these programs resulted in 33 households (65 persons) avoiding homelessness through
CDBG-funded Homeless Prevention Programs.
The City also awards sub-grants to other agencies that serve specific sub-populations, such as at-risk
youth, seniors, persons with disabilities, or to residents who need ESOL, job readiness and skills training,
or other anti-poverty initiatives, including assistance with food, child care or other needs. Although
funding to these organizations does not target homelessness per se, the funding aids in stabilizing
individuals and families, thereby reducing the risk of homelessness or its recurrence. Programs were
provided by East Gate Fellowship (Joseph's Storehouse), Haven From Hunger, North Shore CDC, North
Shore Moving Market, Salem Community Child Care, Salem YMCA (child care), VOCES and Wellspring
House (MediClerk). Funding was also provided to the Independent Living Center of the North Shore and
Cape Ann, Inc. to provide housing assistance to persons with disabilities.
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
29
CR-30 - Public Housing 91.220(h); 91.320(j)
Actions taken to address the needs of public housing
As cited in the Strategic Plan and evidenced by consistently excellent SEMAP and PHAS scores, the Salem
Housing Authority is a well-managed public housing authority designated as a “high performer”. In its
most recent PHAS evaluation, the SHA scored 86 out of a possible 100 points and its most recent SEMAP
score was 100 out of 100. The SHA continues its ongoing modernization plans to address the physical
needs of both its federal and state public housing units.
The Salem Housing Authority is continuing its modernization program to make capital improvements to
its state and federal public housing units, with these efforts being funded by the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for federal units, and the Massachusetts
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for state units.
In addition to ongoing routine maintenance and repair work, the following capital fund modernization
projects are either underway or in the planning stage:
State Properties:
$195,000 emergency generator installation at the Dalton Building;
$125,000 window replacement and related work at 117 Congress St.;
$ 84,000 window replacement and related work at 33 Park St./26 Prince St.;
$154,000 exterior brick masonry repointing and related work at 3 Broad St. and 117 Congress
St.;
$478,000 carpet replacement and related work at various elderly developments;
$225,000 plumbing line replacement at 33 Park St./26 Prince St.;
$200,000 roof replacement at Leefort Terrace; and,
$135,000 roof replacement at Bertram Terrace.
Federal Properties:
$45,634 was recently awarded to the SHA from HUD’s Capital Improvement Fund Program for
use for maintenance and administrative operation costs associated with the SHA’s 39 units of
federal elderly and family housing; and,
$250,000 Window replacement and related work at the Zisson Building.
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30
Actions taken to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in
management and participate in homeownership
The Salem Housing Authority (SHA) is governed by a Board comprised of five members. The Mayor of
Salem appoints four of the five board members and the fifth board member is appointed by the
Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. One member of the board is required to be a
resident of public housing and one member must be a member who represents organized labor.
The SHA has a Resident Advisory Board (RAB) that is actively engaged with management. A member of
the RAB sits as a member of the SHA Board of Commissioners and the RAB actively encourages resident
involvement in management issues.
Copies of the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plans and CAPER are provided to the Salem Housing
Authority for residents to peruse. Copies of all CDBG-related notices (i.e. Consolidated Plan, Action Plan
and CAPER) are posted with the SHA in English and Spanish.
Actions taken to provide assistance to troubled PHAs
Not Applicable; the Salem Housing Authority is not designated as a troubled PHA.
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31
CR-35 - Other Actions 91.220(j)-(k); 91.320(i)-(j)
Actions taken to remove or ameliorate the negative effects of public policies that serve as
barriers to affordable housing such as land use controls, tax policies affecting land, zoning
ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limitations, and policies affecting the
return on residential investment. 91.220 (j); 91.320 (i)
Throughout the public participation process, the City of Salem has not found indication that housing
policies have created impediments to fair housing. In comparison with other towns in the region, Salem
offers a greater diversity of housing, and a higher proportion of affordable housing overall, exceeding
the state's 10% affordable housing goal. Subsidized and affordable housing is located citywide and is
not disproportionately concentrated. Foreclosures and loan denials have also occurred proportionally in
all areas. However, some factors continue to contribute to the difficulty of increasing the availability of
affordable housing, including a shortage of land and regulatory and environmental constraints.
As a mature coastal city of only eight square miles, there is limited remaining developable land, and the
remaining developable land is limited by environmental constraints and regulated by zoning and other
state and federal land regulations. Overall, the City has positioned itself to absorb redevelopment inside
its traditional core areas, consistent with smart growth principles.
Due to Salem’s industrial past, much of its land is impacted by environmental contamination. Some
degree of brownfield remediation is required for almost any project throughout the city, under the
oversight of MassDEP. The requirement for environmental clean-up increases the cost of development.
The city has utilized federal and state funding programs in the past to address brownfield sites.
Many areas throughout the city are subject to state environmental regulation through Chapter 91,
which protects the public use of tidelands and waterways, and the Wetlands Protection Act. Many
potential redevelopment areas also fall within flood zones identified by FEMA. Regulations around all of
these natural environmental conditions establish land use constraints and/or mitigation requirements,
and necessitate further levels of approval in the permitting process for proposed development projects,
depending on their location and scale. These permitting processes slow development projects and
considerably add to the cost of development. The City works with the developers and permitting
authorities toward resolving permitting issues.
In 2015, the City was awarded $30,000 from the MA Dept. of Housing and Economic Development’s
Planning Assistance Toward Housing (PATH) grant program to fund and facilitate the process of
developing a 40R Smart Growth Overlay District (SGOD) in the Point Neighborhood. The idea was that
adoption would help encourage commercial and housing diversity in mixed-use developments at high
minimum densities, by being allowed as-of-right rather than on a special permit basis. The process was
undertaken and while the neighborhood was supportive of portions of the proposed recommendations,
a 40R district was found to not be the right fit for the neighborhood. The City will explore utilizing some
of the recommendations through a potential overlay district.
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32
Actions taken to address obstacles to meeting underserved needs. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
The primary obstacle to addressing underserved needs is the lack of adequate funding. For FY17, the
City received a 4.5% increase in CDBG funding , and a nearly 20% increase in its HOME allocation over
FY16. However, it should be noted that CDBG funding has been reduced by 22% since FY11, while
HOME funding has been reduced by more than 52%. Salem uses CPA funds to assist with the
development of affordable housing and is active in identifying and applying for grant funds applicable to
our needs.
The City will continue to support the creation of new affordable housing units, neighborhood
improvement projects, and anti-poverty strategies through partnership with non-profit entities,
supplementing state and federal subsidies with local funding, and case-by-case negotiation with private
developers. In FY16, the financial closing was completed for the Congress Street Residences, for which
the City assisted with acquisition in FY15. Rehabilitation is nearing completion. Funding awards have
been set aside for Harbor-Lafayette Homes ($50,000 in HOME funds) to create 27 affordable units, with
17 for formerly homeless youth, as well as for Boston Street Residences ($185,000 in HOME funds) to
create 26 studio units for formerly homeless individuals, along with supportive services.
The City will continue to utilize tools such as the Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permit program to exempt
developments which create affordable housing from local land use regulations.
As stated in the section above, in 2015, the City was awarded $30,000 from the MA Dept. of Housing
and Economic Development’s Planning Assistance Toward Housing (PATH) grant program to fund and
facilitate the process of developing a 40R Smart Growth Overlay District (SGOD) in the Point
Neighborhood. The idea was that adoption would help encourage commercial and housing diversity in
mixed-use developments at high minimum densities, by being allowed as-of-right rather than on a
special permit basis. The process was undertaken and while the neighborhood was supportive of
portions of the proposed recommendations, a 40R district was found to not be the right fit for the
neighborhood. The City will explore utilizing some of the recommendations through a potential overlay
district.
Actions taken to reduce lead-based paint hazards. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
The Salem Board of Health disseminates information regarding the proper disclosure of lead hazards
upon selling or renting a housing unit and inspects rental units for lead paint hazards. In Salem, a
landlord is required to obtain a Certificate of Fitness inspection when an apartment becomes vacant.
Board of Health personnel conduct this inspection and enforce the State Sanitary Code for Housing.
When the information is sent to the landlord prior to this inspection, a letter describing the Federal law
is included, as is a copy of the Tenant Notification Form in English and Spanish. Also, the Board of Health
periodically sends notification of regulations regarding lead-based paint to area realtors.
In addition, Board of Health personnel are trained Lead Determinators. Should the Board receive a call
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
33
from a tenant who is concerned that there may be lead-based paint in his/her apartment, potentially
affecting their children under six years of age, the Board is able to send out a Sanitarian to conduct a
Lead Determination. If lead paint is detected, an order is sent to the landlord requiring compliance with
the State Lead Law. The Board ensures compliance with the order. The Massachusetts Childhood Lead-
Paint Poisoning Prevention Program is notified of the results of all Lead Determinations.
The City actively works to reduce lead-paint hazards in pre-1978 housing occupied by lower-income
households through the City of Salem’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program. Through the Salem
Housing Rehabilitation Loan and Get the Lead Out Programs, the City provides loan funds for qualified
applicants for lead testing, hazard reduction and abatement activities, and temporary relocation
reimbursements. Lead-based paint hazard control measures are consistent with the federal Title X
requirements and State lead based paint regulations. MassHousing’s Get the Lead Out Program is also
available to homeowners with a lead poisoned child. In FY17, there were no units made lead free
through the City's Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program.
Finally, all participants in the First-Time Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Loan Program are given a
copy of the EPA brochure “Protecting Your Family from Lead in Your Home.”
Actions taken to reduce the number of poverty-level families. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
The strategy consists of four components: education, job training, affordable housing and social
services.
Education - The City has used state funding to renovate and improve its educational facilities and
provide school-age children with an environment conducive to learning. The Salem Public Schools
support bilingual classroom settings and technology-based training that will enable those with lower
incomes to improve their job opportunities. The school choice program gives residents more choices
about the school they want their children to attend, and offers education focused specific skills, such as
science and technology and communication and community service. Salem’s Parent Information Center
coordinates the school choice program designed to improve racial balance within the school systems,
and provides information about adult education programs designed to help low-income families.
The City will continue to support various educational programs for youth, adults, and the Spanish-
speaking population with CDBG funds, including Salem Public Schools, and programs administered by
non-profit agencies such as 1647 Nation Center on Time & Learning, Cerebral Palsy Association of
Eastern Mass., Inc., LEAP for Education, the Boys and Girls Club, North Shore Community Development
Coalition, and VOCES (all funded in FY17).
Job Training - Salem collaborates with numerous job training, and workforce development programs in
the region such as the North Shore Career Center and the North Shore Workforce Investment Board.
The City continues to use CDBG funds to support job training and employment assistance programs such
as the Wellspring House MediClerk Program (funded in FY17).
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34
Affordable Housing - City agencies such as the Salem Housing Authority and the DPCD are committed to
providing safe, appropriate, and affordable housing opportunities to very-low, and low- and moderate-
income family, elderly, and disabled households. In addition, many housing providers and social service
agencies work in concert to combat poverty in Salem. The City’s established partnerships with agencies
such as the NSCAP, the North Shore HOME Consortium and the North Shore Community Development
Coalition increase its success at bringing services to lower income residents and encouraging them to
participate in revitalizing their community.
Social Services - Through a competitive funding round, the City of Salem uses CDBG funds to support 20-
25 non-profit social service programs annually. These organizations provide services to help families
meet the costs of living, promote family self-sufficiency, serve special populations and/or provide crisis
intervention assistance – programs seeking to break the cycle of poverty. CDBG funds support several
programs which indirectly assist with housing in many ways such as increased pay (i.e., job training, ESL
programs) and decreased monthly expenditures (i.e. child care, food programs) so households can
better afford rent or mortgages. There are also many non-CDBG funded programs available to Salem
residents to help households overcome various obstacles to self-sufficiency. 8,204 persons were served
by CDBG funded social service programs in FY17.
Actions taken to develop institutional structure. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
Under the direction of the Director of DPCD, the Assistant Community Development Director
manages/monitors Salem’s community development programs. Housing programs are administered by
the DPCD Housing Coordinator and sometimes local non-profit agencies, CHDOs and CDCs.
City departments undertake certain CDBG-funded activities, (i.e., tree planting program, sidewalk
replacement, street paving and curbcut installation). These departments may subcontract work under
public bidding procedures and provide requests for reimbursement and any required documentation
(i.e., prevailing wage documentation) to the DPCD.
Each year the DPCD issues a Request for Proposals to nonprofit organizations that offer social service,
housing or economic development programs. CDBG funds are awarded to organizations that
demonstrate programmatic needs and the capacity to administer the proposed program. The City’s
Assistant Community Development Director coordinates the management of the public service and
housing subcontracts and the Economic Development Planner coordinates the management of the
economic development subcontracts.
In general, DPCD staff carries out the remaining activities, including the hiring of consultants or other
private businesses through established municipal purchasing procedures.
The City’s auditing firm audits Salem’s CDBG program delivery system annually. In addition, HUD staff
conducts periodic monitorings. The City promptly implements recommendations arising as a result of
these reviews. Salem received an on-site monitoring by an Equal Opportunity Specialist (Civil Rights
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
35
Analyst) of HUD’s Office of FHEO/Program Compliance Branch in March, 2015 and there were no
findings or concerns issued. We also continue to meet HUD required funding and expenditure caps and
timeliness requirements.
Staff periodically attend trainings - on site or via webinar. In FY17, staff participated in the following:
Assistant Community Development Director:
Webinar - HOME Underwriting and Subsidy Layering Guidelines: July 13, 2016
Webinar - Equal Access and Gender Identify Rules: November 17, 2016
Webinar - Allocating Costs in the HOME Program: December 13, 2016
Webinar - HEROS Tiered Environmental Review: May 11, 2017
Webinar - Best Practices fro Project Set-Up in the eCon Planning Suite: May 23, 2017
Also reviewed several of the videos in Explore CDBG on the HUD Exchange
Housing Coordinator:
Webinar – HOME Underwriting and Subsidy Layering Guidelines – July 13, 2016
NCDA’S CDBG Basics Class – Memorial Hall, 150 Concord St., Framingham – November 16-18,
2016
Webinar – HUD – HOME Allocating Costs in the HOME Program – December 13, 2016
MassHousing Get the Lead Out Program Session – Lynn Housing Authority – December 14, 2016
Webinar – HOME Commitment Interim Rule – January 12, 2017
Webinar – Final Rule on Housing Counseling Certification for Community Planning and
Development Stakeholders – February 6, 2017
Other Planning Staff (not all are listed):
Leading Locally: Preservation Strategies that Work – Waltham, MA – September 9, 2016
ArchitectureBoston Expo – Boston, MA – November 17, 2016
Webinar - Orton Family Foundation: Strengthen Your Community through Engagement –
January 26, 2017
Webinar - A Dozen Tools for Accelerating Local Sustainability Leadership: March 17, 2017
Contemporary Challenges for Historic Buildings – Salem, MA – May 16, 2017
Massachusetts Smart Growth Conference - Worcester, MA – May 18, 2017
HUD CDBG Training on National Objective: June 22, 2017
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
36
Actions taken to enhance coordination between public and private housing and social service
agencies. 91.220(k); 91.320(j)
DPCD continues to administer Salem H.O.P.E. (Human Organization Partnership Effort), a networking
group of human service agencies that serve Salem residents, offering a forum for agencies to learn
about the services being provided by other agencies in order to fill in gaps, coordinate efforts and avoid
the duplication of services. All human service agency representatives are invited to attend the quarterly
Steering Committee breakfast meetings held at rotating agency locations. Through this program, agency
representatives are introduced to each other and exchange information, announcements and updates.
The City also works with nonprofit agencies to administer social service activities. Agencies are
encouraged to apply to the City for CDBG public services funding to undertake priority programs
outlined in the Consolidated Plan. Additionally, the City of Salem cooperates and coordinates with other
public agencies (and funding sources) to undertake specific activities. Examples include MHFA’s Get the
Lead Out Program and Mass Housing Partnership’s Soft Second Mortgage Program.
The City of Salem works with the City of Peabody, the lead community for the North Shore HOME
Consortium, to coordinate the implementation of its HOME-funded program. Salem also works with
local CHDOs and CDCs to carry out priority activities.
Identify actions taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified in the
jurisdictions analysis of impediments to fair housing choice. 91.520(a)
Salem examined issues pertaining to fair housing during consolidated planning processes in 2005, 2010
and 2015, through a series of public meetings and interviews with neighborhood groups, service
providers, business associations and housing professionals. Participants were asked to comment on fair
housing and discrimination in the city.
Salem continues to work to overcome impediments through the following activities:
The Housing Coordinator attended Know Your Rights fair housing training in Boston in January,
2016 to further understand the Fair Housing Law and to educate others.
The City maintains a page on its website for Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination. The page
explains housing discrimination and fair housing laws and is designed to assist consumers, real
estate professionals and lenders. The page also lists resources available to victims of
discrimination.
The City provides public service and housing assistance funding to agencies whose activities
assist specific populations with improving their quality of life. Provider assistance may include
locating appropriate and, if needed, accessible housing, as well as a range of human services.
Providers regularly interact with minority, disabled and low-income populations. These
interactions present opportunities for providers to understand their clients’ housing concerns
and to assist them in cases of discrimination. So that providers understand the fair housing laws
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
37
and available resources for addressing fair housing issues, the City’s community development
staff provide technical assistance and guidance to local housing and service providers. The City
also directs its CDBG funding to programs that promote fair housing through the provision of
their services, such as the Independent Living Center’s Accessible Housing Education Services
Program. Furthermore, the city requires all sub-recipients to comply with the Fair Housing Act.
The City encourages people, organizations and agencies to work together to address housing
issues. CHAPA’s Spring Regional meeting was held in Salem in March, 2016, to which staff
attended. Salem also administers Salem HOPE, a networking group of social service providers
that meets quarterly at rotating public service agency locations. It is a forum to share insights
and concerns, to work toward filling gaps in services and to coordinate efforts.
The City’s housing staff regularly participate in housing fairs held by lending institutions and real
estate professionals. At these fairs, the City provides information regarding its first-time
homebuyer, rehabilitation and deleading programs. In addition, staff disseminate information
regarding the fair housing law, including protected classes, typical violations and resources
available to victims of discrimination. This is an opportunity for staff to talk one-on-one with
residents who may be victims of discrimination in lending and/or victims of steering. By
speaking with people first-hand, staff are able to learn about the fair housing climate in the city
and identify fair housing issues.
The City provides financial assistance to North Shore CDC, a nonprofit organization that
conducts CHAPA-certified, first time homebuyer educational courses, held in the Point
Neighborhood, where Salem has its highest concentration of racial and ethnic minorities. Among
other things, courses inform participants about their rights when working with real estate
agents and lenders. The program covers fair housing issues and what to do if someone is a
victim of discrimination. In addition, the program covers the responsibilities of landlords under
fair housing laws. During FY17, North Shore CDC conducted three training sessions. The City’s
Housing Coordinator presented at the March 23, 2017 class.
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
38
CR-40 - Monitoring 91.220 and 91.230
Describe the standards and procedures used to monitor activities carried out in furtherance
of the plan and used to ensure long-term compliance with requirements of the programs
involved, including minority business outreach and the comprehensive planning
requirements
The DPCD monitors all projects to ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State and local regulations
and program requirements. A Monitoring Guide is included in the Appendix of the Consolidated Plan.
Public service contracts include performance measurement indicators. As part of ongoing monitoring,
sub-recipients submit monthly reports that include income, race and ethnic information on clients
served and programmatic accomplishments. In addition, public service sub-recipients are monitored on-
site periodically. Agencies submitting reimbursement requests must include proof of expenditure of
funds, as well as documentation that the pre-determined benchmark or goal was attained.
All First-Time Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Loan Program properties and Housing
Rehabilitation Loan Program properties receive on-site inspections. Rehabilitation projects must meet
current housing codes and non-emergency projects must meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS). All
tenant based rental assistance provided with HOME funds requires an inspection with a HQS
report. Housing staff maintain a comprehensive written manual detailing program procedures and
policies, as well as a master spreadsheet that tracks all loan details for the First-Time Homebuyer
Downpayment Assistance Loan Program and the Housing Rehabilitation Program, including period of
affordability, discharge dates, rent restrictions and monitorings. The City monitors HOME-funded
rehabilitation projects with rental affordability restrictions annually for the duration of the affordability
period.
Monitoring of job creation is determined by the time period in the funding Agreement.
A quarterly report is provided to the City’s Finance Department on new loans issued, loan status and
loan discharges. There is also a Loan Management Policy for dealing with delinquent or in default
housing or economic development loans. The DPCD reconciles its general ledger to IDIS monthly.
Economic Development and Neighborhood Improvement projects use a checklist developed by the
DPCD to ensure that floodplain management, environmental review, Section 3, minority outreach,
procurement and debarment regulations are identified for applicability and documented.
The DPCD also annually reviews its performance in meeting its goals and objectives set for in the
Consolidated Plan during the development of the annual CAPER.
Payments to agencies are made on a reimbursement basis to ensure compliance with expenditure
requirements. The Assistant Community Development Director encourages timely submission of
CAPER NARRATIVES IN IDIS
39
reimbursement requests by subrecipients and reviews timeliness status weekly until the annual 1.5
draw ratio is met.
Additionally, the City ensures long-term compliance with program requirements, including minority
business outreach and comprehensive planning requirements, in several ways. In particular, the DPCD
has a Monitoring Plan, Section 3 Plan and Minority Outreach Procedures in place that allows the City to
track whether long-term goals are being met.
Citizen Participation Plan 91.105(d); 91.115(d)
Describe the efforts to provide citizens with reasonable notice and an opportunity to
comment on performance reports.
The Citizen Participation Plan included in the 5-Year Consolidated Plan is the framework we use to solicit
public comment, as well as to provide guidance on our response to citizens’ comments on our programs
throughout the year. The goals and purpose of the Citizen Participation Plan is to encourage residents,
agencies, and other interested parties to participate in the development of our 5-Year Consolidated Plan
and Annual Action Plans and to comment on our accomplishments. We encourage feedback from our
citizens in order to improve our efforts to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing, improved
community facilities and infrastructure, needed human services and expanded economic opportunities,
that all work toward revitalizing our neighborhoods and improving our living environment.
The CAPER is made available to the public throughout the 15-day comment period and efforts to solicit
citizens’ comments include posting bilingual (English/Spanish) notices on the availability of the report in
the Salem Evening News, the City of Salem Official Bulletin Board at City Hall and at the City Hall Annex
through the Clerk’s Office, Salem Public Library, Salem Housing Authority and on the City’s
website. Copies are available for review at the DPCD, Salem Public Library and Salem Housing Authority
and on the City’s website (a copy of which is available for download). The notice is distributed via email
to the Salem HOPE distribution list which reaches non-profit social service agencies that serve various
populations including minorities, non-English speaking persons, persons with disabilities and Point
Neighborhood residents. In addition, the most recent CAPER is made available during our two annual
public hearings.
The FY17 CAPER's comment period runs from 9/7/17-9/22/17. There were no comments received.
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40
CR-45 - CDBG 91.520(c)
Specify the nature of, and reasons for, any changes in the jurisdiction’s program objectives
and indications of how the jurisdiction would change its programs as a result of its
experiences.
In general, there are no anticipated changes in Salem's program objectives. As noted in last year's
CAPER, in FY16, for one project, Affordable Housing Development, the funding source was changed from
CDBG to HOME. Because HOME activities are reported through the lead community, Peabody, this will
result in IDIS showing Salem not completing one of its CDBG goals of 27 units, even though the units will
still be created. When the activity has been completed, we will make this notation in the appropriate
CAPER.
Does this Jurisdiction have any open Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI)
grants?
No
APPENDIX
Financial Summary Report (PR26) for FY17 (HUD’s Program Year 2016)
Maps
Low to Moderate Income Areas
Geographic Distribution of Entitlement Funds Expended FY17
Section 3 Report