Town holds first of two public hearings on up to $950,000 CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization grant

The Town of Bethel opened the first of two required public hearings on a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Neighborhood Revitalization application that could request up to $950,000 for housing rehabilitation and related activities.

Ben Jones of Valtor Consulting (speaker 15) told commissioners the maximum grant amount for the project is $950,000 and that eligible activities include owner-occupied housing rehabilitation, infrastructure related to housing, and certain public facilities. Jones said any housing assisted must be owner-occupied; rental properties are not eligible. He explained that projects must meet one of three HUD national objectives: benefit low- and moderate-income persons, prevent or eliminate slums and blight, or address other urgent needs such as storm- or disaster-related damage.

Jones described the applicant-survey process and said he was conducting door-to-door surveys to gather applicant information and document housing needs. He said the program uses a forgivable-loan model with an eight-year forgiveness period: the town takes a deed of trust and a percent of the assistance is forgiven annually over eight years, with repayment due if the property is sold before the end of the term. He said applications are due Oct. 29, 2025, and that a second public hearing will be held next month to identify specific homes and project details once surveys identify eligible units.

Board members asked about liens and whether a future lien would be placed on properties. Jones said the grant is structured as a forgivable loan; the grant will take a back note on the property and applicants are not required to repay unless they sell before the forgiveness period ends.

The public hearing was opened for input and closed after comments; the town will hold a second hearing as part of the application process.