Mortgage & Utility Assistance Program
Public Hearing to Discuss Proposed Modifications
Lackawanna County will hold a Public Hearing February 2, 2021 at 9:00am to discuss proposed modifications for Lackawanna County on behalf of the following municipalities: Archbald, Blakely, Dunmore, Jessup and Taylor Boroughs for the Federal Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 Community Development Block Grant Program.
Notice of Second Public Hearing Lackawanna County, PA for the FY 2020 CDBG Program
Notice is hereby given by Lackawanna County that a Second Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday December 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., prevailing time.
The purpose of the Second Public Hearing is to obtain citizen comments on the proposed use of the FY 2020 CDBG funds by Lackawanna County for its non-entitlement and entitlement municipalities. The County will receive an allocation of $1,589,542.00 in FY 2020 CDBG funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Small Business Relief Program Brief
Lackawanna County Commissioners approved $4.725 million in CARES Act funding to provide grants to more than 200 Lackawanna County businesses that applied for assistance through the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance program.
“Small Businesses are the backbone of both our local and national economy. The pandemic has severely impacted the operations of our area’s small business community. We funded the Small Business Assistance Program to invest in our companies and to help strengthen their future. We want to assist them in keeping their doors open to provide all types of services to residents up and down the valley,” explained the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners.
MetroAction, the small business affiliate of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, will provide technical assistance to those chosen for grant awards on behalf of Lackawanna County.
Lackawanna County Non-Profit COVID-19 Support Grant Program
The Lackawanna County Non-Profit COVID-19 Support Grant Program assists tax-exempt organizations under the Internal Revenue Code section 501 (c) (3) and 501 (c) (19) that have been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds can be utilized to support COVID-19 related organization operations and/or upgrade expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 11, 2020, and will provide the emergency assistance that the tax-exempt organizations desperately need to remain operational. Applicants are eligible for a county grant up to a maximum cap of $5,000, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Notice of Virtual Public Hearing
Notice of a Public Hearing to obtain citizen’s views and comments on the proposed use of Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 Pennsylvania (PA) Community Development Block Grant Covid-19 (CDBG-CV-CV) Entitlement Program Funds. The Hearing will be held at 9:30 AM, Wednesday, July 29, 2020.
Copies of the proposed applications may be inspected at the Lackawanna County Department of Economic Development between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The deadline for public comment is 4:00 PM, Tuesday, July 28, 2020.
In order to comply with the Board’s Declaration of Disaster Emergency dated March 16, 2020, and Governor Wolf’s Shelter in Place Order dated March 27, 2020, the meeting will be live streamed at YouTube. The public is invited to view this live streamed meeting.
All interested residents are encouraged to participate in this public hearing and will be afforded the opportunity to present written testimony concerning the proposed use of CDBG-CV CARES funds to address needs related to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Written comments may be addressed to Peggy Piccotti, Contract Manager, Lackawanna County, at [email protected] or mailed to Ms. Piccotti at The Lackawanna County Government Center, 123 Wyoming Ave., 5th Floor, Planning and Economic Development, Scranton, Pa. 18503. Anyone interested in participating in the Zoom Public Hearing may submit emails during the hearing to Ms. Piccotti and all valid questions and/or comments will be addressed at that time.
Notice is hereby given that the Lackawanna County Department of Planning and Economic Development will hold a Virtual Public Hearing on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.. The purpose of the public hearing is to obtain citizens’ views and comments on how Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 Pennsylvania (PA) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Corona Virus Program Entitlement Funds (CARES) should be used.
The CDBG-CV programmatic requirements mirror those of the CDBG program unless specifically identified. Eligible activities include – housing rehabilitation, public services, community facilities, infrastructure improvement, development and planning that prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus.
At least 70% of the CDBG funds must benefit low- and moderate-income persons living in the Lackawanna County or one of the eleven (11) entitlement municipalities in Lackawanna County. In preparing the CDBG CARES application the County intends to afford residents, local agencies, and interested parties the opportunity to become involved in the planning process.
Under the terms of PA Act 179, Lackawanna County is eligible to receive an entitlement grant from the FFY 2020 PA CDBG CARES Program to utilize these funds to carry out Community Development activities in the following non-entitlement municipalities: the Townships of Benton, Carbondale, Clifton, Covington, Elmhurst, Fell, Glenburn, Greenfield, Jefferson, LaPlume, Madison, Newton, North Abington, Ransom, Roaring Brook, South Abington, Spring Brook, Thornhurst, Waverly, and West Abington; and the Boroughs of Clarks Green, Dalton, Jermyn, Mayfield, Moosic, Moscow, and Vandling.
In addition, Lackawanna County, on behalf of (obo) the following entitlement municipalities, is eligible to receive entitlement grants from the FFY 2020 PA CDBG CARES Program to utilize these funds to carry out Community Development activities in these entitlement municipalities: the Boroughs of Archbald, Blakely, Clarks Summit, Dickson City, Dunmore, Jessup, Old Forge, Olyphant, Taylor, Throop, and Scott Township.
In order to comply with the Board’s Declaration of Disaster Emergency dated March 16, 2020, and Governor Wolf’s Shelter in Place Order dated March 27, 2020, the meeting will be live streamed at YouTube. The public is invited to view this live streamed meeting.
All interested residents are encouraged to participate in this public hearing and will be afforded the opportunity to present oral or written testimony concerning the proposed use of CDBG CARES funds to address needs related to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Written comments may be addressed to Peggy Piccotti, Contract Manager, Lackawanna County, at [email protected] or mailed to Ms. Piccotti at The Lackawanna County Government Center, 123 Wyoming Ave., 5th Floor, Planning and Economic Development, Scranton, Pa. 18503. Persons wishing to provide oral testimony should contact Ms. Piccotti at (570)963-6830 ex.1356 to obtain call in instructions.
Notice of the Lackawanna County Office of Economic Development to conduct Virtual Public Hearings related to Citizen Participation requirements for CDBG, HOME and ESG applications for funding during Federal and/or State declared emergencies.
The hearing will also provide information allowing a 5-day notification for public comment and citizen participation in regard to applications submitted by Lackawanna County in related to COVID-19 funding.
The hearing will take place on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 at 9 a.m.
In order to comply with the Board’s Declaration of Disaster Emergency dated March 16, 2020, and Governor Wolf’s Shelter in Place Order dated March 27, 2020, the meeting will be live streamed on YouTube.
The public is invited to view this live streamed meeting. County residents may send their comments / questions, in writing with their name and address, to be answered and included in the minutes by e-mailing Peggy Piccotti, Contract Manager, Lackawanna County, at [email protected] no later than 9:00am on the day of the meeting.
Public Notice to obtain citizens views and comments for the Lackawanna County Office of Economic Development submission of an application for ESG funding in the amount of approximately $600,000.00 related to Homelessness Prevention in regard to the Covid 19 pandemic to be entertained at the Commissioners Scheduled Meeting on May 20, 2020 at 10am.
If you have questions or comments please contact Peggy Piccotti, Contract Manager, Lackawanna County, at [email protected] by Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. May 20, 2020.
CDBG funds enable communities to effectively address local community development needs, such as infrastructure, housing, and community facilities. It also provides federal funds to develop viable communities through the provision of housing improvements and building suitable living environments, expand economic opportunities geared to low- and moderate-income individuals, and improve critical community health and welfare infrastructure.
The Lackawanna County Department of Planning and Economic Development is the administering agency for the Community Development Block Grant Program for 38 municipalities in the County.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
Workshop Presentation
The Lackawanna County Department of Planning and Economic Development is the administering agency for the Community Development Block Grant Program in the County. The CDBG Program consists of federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development which are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
In Lackawanna County there are 11 entitlement communities. In order to be determined to be an entitlement community, the community must have a population of 4,000 or more and be listed on the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s List of Distressed Communities. Lackawanna County is provided with yearly allocations CDBG funds on behalf of each of the 11 entitlement communities. The 11 entitlement communities include: the Boroughs of Archbald, Blakely, Clarks Summit, Dickson City, Dunmore, Jessup, Old Forge, Olyphant, Taylor, Throop and Scott Township.
In Lackawanna County there are 27 nonentitlement communities. In order to be determined to be a nonentitlement community, the community must have a population of less than 4,000 and/or are not listed on the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s List of Distressed Communities. Lackawanna County is provided with a yearly allocation CDBG funds which will benefit the 27 nonentitlement communities. The 27 nonentitlement communities include: the Townships of Benton, Carbondale, Clifton, Covington, Elmhurst, Fell, Glenburn, Greenfield, Jefferson, LaPlume, Madison, Newton, North Abington, Ransom, Roaring Brook, South Abington, Spring Brook, Thornhurst, Waverly, and West Abington; and the Boroughs of Clarks Green, Dalton, Jermyn, Mayfield, Moosic, Moscow, and Vandling.
FUNDABILITY REQUIREMENTS
FOR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROJECTS
In order for an activity to be considered fundable, it must first be an activity which is eligible under CDBG Program requirements.
The project must then meet one of the Three National Objectives of the CDBG Program in order to be considered fundable. These are:
1. Benefit to Low to Moderate Income (LMI) Persons
• Direct Benefit to LMI Persons- CDBG funds will directly benefit LMI persons, such as in a housing rehabilitation program where LMI homeowners receive funds directly to address health and safety problems in the home.
• Indirect Benefit to LMI Persons- CDBG funds will indirectly benefit a majority of at least 51% LMI persons, such as a sanitary sewer line reconstruction project in a given area where a minimum of 51% of the persons hooked up to the sewer line are LMI.
• Assumed Benefit to LMI Persons- CDBG funds will be assumed to benefit LMI persons, such as a Senior Citizen Center project which benefit Senior Citizens, or a architectural barrier removal project which increases access for handicapped/elderly persons; these projects are assumed to meet LMI requirements according to CDBG regulations.
• Limited Clientele- Public Service projects limited to a specific group of people, such as a senior citizens, disabled, or homeless, of which 51% are LMI.
• Economic Development- Projects to create or retain permanent jobs, where at least 51% of the jobs involve the employment of LMI persons.
2. Prevention or Elimination of Slums or Blight
In an area where a substantial number of deteriorated, dilapidated structures, a project to address this condition may qualify under this National Objective. Activities may include acquisition of structures for demolition, relocation activities, or rehabilitation of structures. Applicants must define specific boundaries of blighted areas and quantify the “substantial” number of deteriorated, dilapidated structures in accordance with CDBG requirements.
3. Immediate Threat to the Health and Safety of the Community
Under this National Objective, the applicant must clearly demonstrate a threat to the health and safety of residents. The condition must have developed and become critical within 18 months of the application for funds. In addition, the applicant must demonstrate that it is unable to finance the activity on its own and no other sources of funding are available for this purpose.
ELIGIBLE CDBG ACTIVITIES
The following is a list of Eligible Activity Categories which may be assisted with Community Development Block Grant Program Funds.
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» Water/Sewer Improvements » Storm Water Improvements » Street Improvements » Parks, Recreation Facilities » Senior Center/Facilities » Fire Station/Equipment » Public Facilities – Other » Parking Facilities » Rehab: Single-Unit Residential » Rehab: Publicly or Privately Owned Comm/Ind. » Direct Homeownership Assistance » Construction of Housing » Acquisition – for Rehabilitation » Acquisition of Real Property » Relocation » Clearance and Demolition » Disposition |
» Non-Residential Historic Preservation » Interim Assistance » ED Direct Financial Assistance » Planned Repayment of Section 108 Loan Principal » Public Services » Senior Centers » Handicapped » Youth Programs » Child Care » Code Enforcement » Planning and Capacity Building, such as: » Comprehensive Plans » Zoning Ordinances » Subdivision/Land Development Ordinances » Building Codes » Program Administration Costs |
INELIGIBLE CDBG ACTIVITIES
The following is a list of Ineligible Activity Categories which may not be assisted with Community Development Block Grant Program Funds.
« Buildings or portions thereof, used for the general conduct of government
« General Government Expenses
« Operating and Maintenance Expenses
« Political Activities
« Purchase of Construction Equipment
« Purchase of Fire Protection Equipment
« Purchase of Furnishings and Personal Property
« Income Payments
Wage Determinations
| Wage Determination Heavy-Highway | Wage Determination Building |
Community Development Block Grant Survey Policies and Procedures
| 2020 Income Survey Form | 2020 Survey Methodology Form |
Clearance and Demolition Program
Administrative Contacts
Peggy Piccotti
Community Development Manager
Department of Planning and Economic Development
Scranton, PA 18503
570.963.6830 x1356
Email: [email protected]
Mark Mercanti
Fiscal Manager
Department of Planning and Economic Development
Phone: 570-963-6830 Ext. 1368
Fax 570-963-7596
Email: [email protected]
Valerie Calpin
Business Consultant
Department of Planning and Economic Development
Phone: 570-963-6830 Ext. 1372
Fax 570-963-7596
Email: [email protected]
Joe Rovinsky
Compliance Manager
Department of Planning and Economic Development
Phone: 570-963-6830 Ext. 1374
Fax 570-963-7596
Email: [email protected]
Location
Lackawanna County Government Center
123 Wyoming Avenue, 5th Floor
Scranton, PA 18503
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