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City to partner with Salem Housing Authority on $500,000 HUD planning grant; nonprofit offers lead-remediation help
Summary
Council approved an MOU to implement a HUD Choice Neighborhoods planning grant for Westside Court and heard a proposal from Stand Up For Salem offering lead‑based paint remediation on city-owned residential properties using a state grant; the MOU and nonprofit proposal outline technical planning, stakeholder outreach and unit remediation plans.
Salem City officials on Sept. 9 confirmed intent to formalize a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Salem Housing Authority to carry out a HUD Choice Neighborhoods planning grant awarded to the City and to begin planning activities for Westside Court.
City documents show the City was awarded a $500,000 Choice Planning Grant by HUD (FY22) to create a Neighborhood Transformation Plan and to advance coordinated action activities for Westside Court. The council adopted a resolution authorizing the City to enter an 18-month MOU with the Salem Housing Authority (final MOU to be reviewed by the City Solicitor prior to execution). The MOU text in the meeting packet assigns the City as the lead applicant for grant administration and the Housing Authority as a co-partner in planning and action activities.
During public comment, Betsy McBride, speaking on behalf of Stand Up For Salem, thanked the council for considering the group's proposal to remediate lead-based paint in city-owned residential properties. The group provided a detailed proposal and noted it has secured a state Lead-Based Paint Hazard (LBPH) grant and will use certified contractors for inspections and remediation. The packet estimates average remediation costs between $13,000 (remediation) and $25,000 (abatement) per unit and states the nonprofit is a certified EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) firm and a 501(c)(3) grantee.
Why it matters: The HUD Choice Planning Grant provides federal planning resources to produce a neighborhood transformation plan, which could guide future physical and community investments at Westside Court. The Stand Up For Salem proposal indicates a possible locally available mechanism to remediate lead hazards in vacant, city-owned housing and to ready units for sale or reuse — potentially accelerating neighborhood revitalization efforts tied to the HUD grant.
What happens next: The City Solicitor will review the MOU language before execution; Stand Up For Salem said it will coordinate inspections and remediation with city offices and use DCA‑certified contractors. The council did not take a final vote to execute the MOU at this caucus; staff were authorized to move forward with finalizing documents and returning them for signature.
