Press Release July 16, 2015
Up to 20 homes belonging to low and moderate income residents in Granby and South Hadley will be rehabilitated, and the South Hadley Food Pantry will obtain a van to distribute food to needy residents with no access to public transportation following receipt of an $850,614 Community Development Block Grant from the state. The state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced award of the grant to South Hadley and Granby Wednesday as part of $26 million in grants to 65 communities in the Commonwealth. The Town of South Hadley is pleased to receive this grant on behalf of South Hadley and Granby and extends its collective appreciation to Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito and DHCD Director Jay Ashe for recognizing the importance of its efforts to make the towns a better place to live for all.
The housing rehabilitation program allows qualified low and moderate income residents to borrow money to repair and update their homes. Applicants must live within the designated target areas in the two towns, and twelve homeowners in South Hadley and eight homeowners in Granby will receive loans. If program participants continue to live in the home for 15 years the loan will be forgiven. The application process will be handled through the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.
The grant will also assist the South Hadley Housing Authority to make improvements to accessibility at Newton Manor in South Hadley. Included in the grant was a request from Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Pantry (NHN) to assist families or individuals in Granby to access basic food resources. This project will provide a limited amount of mobility to the NHN program in South Hadley.
“We are all appreciative for the Governor’s faith in the efforts we are making in South Hadley and the efforts the Town of Granby is making as well to improve the lives of all. We are very lucky to have such dedicated members of state government as Representative Scibak and Story making our voices heard and our requests filled in Boston; thank you!” commented Town Administrator Mike Sullivan.
Please call Town Administrator Sullivan for additional information. (413) 538 5017 ext 136.
For more information about the Housing Rehab Program in South Hadley or Granby please call Shirley Stephens Residents can reach her by phone, (413) 781-6045 or email, Sstephens@PVPC.ORG