The City Council approved allocations of funding the city receives from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) yesterday, with changes made from the recommendations that had earlier been made by the city Commission on Community and Neighborhood Development.
Council Democrats and Republicans debated priorities for the funding, with amendments proposed by Democrats and one cross-amendment proposed by Republicans. But, with a deadline looming today for the city to apply to HUD for the funding, the two sides agreed to a compromise, which was approved by the Council.
Included in the changes that were made were moving money for AW Stanley Park Tennis/Pickle Ball Court Construction to other improvements, such as the New Life in Christ Church & New Beginning Ministry Energy & Cost Efficient Rehabilitation and the New Britain Water Department’s Lead Water Service Replacement & Galvanized Water Services Needing Replacement program.
Other changes included reallocations to allow funding for the HRA Healthy Eating Initiatives at the New Britain Food & Resource Center food pantry, the Queen Ann Nzinga Center’s We’re Grownish Youth Enrichment Program, the ParaDYM PRIDE After School Program and New Britain Youth Football & Cheer’s Youth Football, Flag, Cheerleading, & Dance Program.
The total allocations include $1,593,937 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $561,434 under the federal HOME Program and another $111,000 under the federal HOME-ARP Program.
It is common for the Council to make changes from the recommendations of the Commission prior to the final approval of the allocations.
