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 needs in the city. Staff outlined next steps: multiple consultations and focus groups, a resident and agency survey, CETA (Chester Economic Development Authority) review and a draft consolidated plan and action plan prepared for city council review. Staff said council would authorize CETA to make draft documents available to the public for at least 30 days, with a second public hearing during that period. Staff gave key dates: the deadline for submission of proposals is Friday, January 10, 2025, at 2 p.m.; draft documents were scheduled to be advertised and on public display March 3–April 4, 2025; and a public hearing on the draft action plan is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. in council chambers and via live stream at ChesterCity.com/live. Staff provided an application contact: jar@ceda.cc and 610-447-7854.

Local service providers used the public-comment period to describe needs they hope CDBG and HOME funding will address. Arthur Weisfeld, executive director of Senior Community Services and sponsor of the Chester Senior Center, thanked the city and CETA for long-standing support and said, “we will throw our hat in the ring again; we will seek support for operations.” Weisfeld said the senior center has rebounded and in some measures is exceeding pre-pandemic attendance.

A representative of the Chester Community Improvement Project said the organization has partnered with the city on affordable-housing work since 1997 and expects to apply again to support first-time homebuyer assistance, including a program that offers up to $10,000 toward purchases.

Councilwoman Portia West, deputy mayor, asked a procedural question about the February timeline in the materials and was referred to staff for clarification.

Hannah Larson of the Foundation for Delaware County said the foundation has provided services to low-income pregnant and parenting women and noted rising infant mortality and eviction risks in Chester. Larson said, “the most recent data suggest that Chester is experiencing an infant mortality rate of 22 infant deaths per 1,000 live births,” and urged that CDBG funding include supportive services for low-income renters at high risk of eviction.

Antoinette Trueheart of Entrepreneur Works Fund (formerly the Chester Microenterprise Partnership), a community development financial institution, said the organization provides loan capital and business counseling for micro and small businesses. Trueheart said funding from the city has declined over time and that “we are now down to $10,000,” and urged an increase to sustain counseling and loan-technical assistance.

Andy Jacob, executive director of Chester Eastside, described rapid growth in demand for food assistance and after-school programming. Jacob said the organization distributed 250 Thanksgiving turkeys in one recent event and has seen record participation in hot-meal programs, and expressed concern about funding after January.

Staff emphasized eligible activities for CDBG (infrastructure, public facilities, parks and recreation, public service programs, demolition, acquisition, removal of architectural barriers, code enforcement, housing rehabilitation, economic development, and administration/planning) and noted HUD’s national objectives: benefit low- and moderate-income persons or areas, prevent or eliminate slums and blight, or meet urgent community needs.

The hearing closed after public comment. Staff said written comments would be accepted by mail to CETA, P.O. Box 407, Chester, Pennsylvania 19016, or by email to jar@ceda.cc; all questions and answers will be posted on the city’s website. The draft plan and any comments will be provided to council before final documents are prepared for council approval.