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Public hearing opened for Northampton County CDBG neighborhood-revitalization grant focused on Odum Prison site
Summary
The board held the first of two required public hearings to accept comments on a potential $950,000 Community Development Block Grant neighborhood revitalization application to rehabilitate housing at the Odum Prison site; no commitment to apply was required at this hearing.
Northampton County opened the first of two required public hearings to solicit public comment on a possible Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Neighborhood Revitalization application to the North Carolina Department of Commerce that could provide up to $950,000 for housing rehabilitation, county and regional staff said.
Ben Farmer of the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments read a prepared statement explaining that the hearing is the first step in the application process and does not bind the county to submit an application. He said the funds are federal HUD dollars administered by the state and that nonentitlement counties like Northampton must compete for awards. Farmer said the county’s application is anticipated to focus on affordable housing work at the Odum Prison site and that the household income limits for eligibility and the final budget will be specified at the second required public hearing prior to the Oct. 29 application deadline.
Members of the public asked procedural questions about whether the program would produce rental or for-sale housing and how household income limits would be applied. Farmer and county staff said details on sales vs. rental and exact income thresholds would be determined during application planning and would be included in the second public hearing, which must occur before Oct. 31. Farmer also explained that even if the county wins an award, the state will not release funds until required compliance items such as environmental reviews, lead-based paint protections, and other HUD requirements are satisfied; that process can delay disbursement by months.
The board took public comment and did not vote on the application at the hearing; staff said comments received would be considered in application planning and that a second public hearing will present the final application details for commissioner review before submission.
