Chester holds required initial hearing on 2025–29 consolidated plan; agencies urge funding for seniors, renters and small businesses

City staff held the required initial public hearing on Chester’s fiscal 2025–29 consolidated plan, the fiscal 2025 action plan and an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice, outlining estimated federal allocations and the schedule for drafting and public review. Staff said the city’s estimated FY2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation is $1,250,000 and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) allocation is $340,000.

The hearing, which staff noted was required for the city to qualify as a grantee for CDBG and HOME funds, described three consolidated-plan elements—housing needs (from homelessness through permanent housing), non-homeless special needs (including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and domestic violence victims) and non-housing community development needs such as infrastructure and public facilities—and reviewed four local priorities: increasing affordable housing supply, expanding services for persons with special needs, improving public facilities and infrastructure, and promoting employment and self-sufficiency.

The purpose of the public hearing, staff said, was to obtain input from citizens, nonprofits and other interested parties about housing, community and economic development…