2010 Hope VI Application - Building Hope for the Future

On August 25, 2010 the Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, issued a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) making approximately $124 million in funds available through its FY 2010 HOPE VI Revitalization grant program.

Only public housing authorities (PHAs) that have severely distressed housing in their inventory and that are otherwise in conformance with the threshold requirements of the NOFA are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is November 22, 2010. The Lyman Terrace family development meets the criteria and the Authority will again apply for funding for the revitalization of Lyman Terrace.

Lyman Terrace is an eighteen building brick public housing development constructed in 1938. Uniquely located in the center of downtown Holyoke, a short block from City Hall, Lyman Terrace directly abuts the stores on High Street; the main commercial street in downtown Holyoke. The revitalization of Lyman Terrace site is a critical lynch pin for the revival of downtown Holyoke.

The 167 unit Lyman Terrace project stymies investment in the surrounding neighborhood, is crime ridden, lacks 504 and ADA access and is in great need of a total transformation. Although the site is fully occupied, due to the tremendous demand for affordable housing, all 167 units will be demolished should the Authority be successful in being awarded a FY 2010 HOPE VI grant. An independent engineer determined that the rehabilitation of the project was infeasible because the cost to modernize exceeds $20 million and would take over 20 years of Capital funds. The resulting post modernized development would still consist of a site with long rows of barracks perpendicular to the street, excessive density, units too small to meet modern standards, no storage, no off-street parking, no visibility or accessibility, no defensible space, and remain as an asset drain on the authority.

The Holyoke Housing Authority has assembled a team of key staff members, housing consultants, area service providers, local lenders, City officials, community members and residents to develop a plan that meets or exceeds the funding guidelines of the program and will submit an application to revitalize Lyman Terrace to HUD on or before the deadline of November 22, 2010.

Since full resident involvement and community input are crucial elements of the HOPE VI Program the Holyoke Housing Authority understands the importance of engaging residents and community members from the start. The participation of both public housing residents living at Lyman Terrace and community members residing in the neighborhoods surrounding Lyman Terrace is essential to the HOPE VI Program and community building efforts. Full resident involvement and community input are crucial elements of the HOPE VI Program. The spirit of the HOPE VI Program is one of full consultation and collaboration among the Grantee, affected residents and the broader community.

FY 2010 HOPE VI activities:

Resident and Community Meetings-

• Lyman Terrace Resident meeting
• September 29, 2010
• Heritage State Park
• Appleton Street
• Holyoke, MA
• 6:00 PM

This meeting was conducted by Holyoke Housing Authority staff and was attended by 26 residents. Please see the attached agenda for topics covered. Residents in attendance showed solid support for the 2010 application. Questions were asked about last year's application deficiencies and relocation

• Lyman Terrace Resident and Community Stakeholders Meeting
• October 12, 2010
• Heritage State Park
• Appleton Street
• Holyoke, MA
• 6:00 PM

This meeting was attended by 26 residents and/or community stakeholders. A presentation was given by Authority staff and consultants. Please see attached agenda for topics covered. Residents again voiced their approval of the planned application. Questions included a discussion of the change of the number of homeownership units being built at the Lyman Terrace site in this 2010 application versus the number proposed under the FY 2009 application.

Lyman Terrace Resident and Community Stakeholders Meeting

• November 3, 2010
• Heritage State Park
• Appleton Street
• Holyoke, MA
• 4:00 PM

This meeting was attended by 15 Lyman Terrace residents and HHA staff. A presentation was given by Authority staff outlining some of the changes to the plan and design of buildings since the last meeting. Residents again voiced their approval of the planned application. Discussion involved relocation and the partnerships forged with local agencies to provide community supportive services. The following is a listing of agencies who will be partnering under the 2010 grant and what services will be provided.  

Health & Nutrition

• Holyoke Health Center- Su Coazon, Su Vida (Your heart, your life), Linda Manita (Cute little hand), health education and support services, chronic disease programming
• Partners for a Healthier Community- Oral health education, on-site portable dentistry services, preventive screenings and treatments
• Square One- Launch Fitness program,  on site Nutritionist services
• The Care Center- For young mothers and their children 

Elder Services

• WestMass ElderCare- Home care programs,  Latino Congregate Meal Program, home delivered meals program
• Holyoke Housing Authority- Bridging the Gaps program- translation and transportation services funded by Title III Older American’s grant 

Youth Programming

• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke- After school and summer programs,  recreational programs, teen volunteer opportunities and mentoring
• Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School- Arts programs, social justice workshops
• Square One- Nutrition classes for children and parents
• Homework House- After school and summer programs 

Education

• Holyoke Health Center- Linda Manita (Cute Little Hand) Harlem Children’s Zone Baby College modeled program, health prevention education programs
• Square One- Early Childhood Education Academy Center
• Homework House- On-site tutoring services using Five-College Consortium students
• The Care Center- GED and college prep courses
• Holyoke Works- GED, ESOL Adult Basic Education
• Nuestras Raices- Environmental education for both adults and youth, financial literacy and asset building programming
• Solutions CDC- Budgeting, credit and asset building trainings
• Valley Opportunity Council- five slots at early childhood education center
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke- Literacy and technology programs
• Holyoke Credit Union- FDIC Money Smart financial literacy program
• Children’s Museum at Holyoke-admission to weekly pre-school education program 

Employment Training

• Holyoke Works- Green Careers Program, Certified Nurse Assistant and Computer Applications  training
• CareerPoint- Green industry job training, GED, ESOL, ABE, job search and resume writing, job development
• Department of Transition Assistance- Employment training services
• Nuestras Raices- RootsUp green jobs training program,
• Square One- Family childcare provider training for residents 
• National Tooling & Machining Association- training in precision tooling at high school and college level  

Business Development

• Western Mass Enterprise Fund- Business development training and start-up financing
• Solutions CDC- Small Business development and IDA accounts
• Cornerstone Housing- Business start-up financing 

Homeownership

• Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services- Mortgage financing to HCV holders and residents purchasing HOPE VI homes, FTHB workshops and Homebuyers Club
• Holyoke Credit Union- Mortgage financing, FHLB downpayment assistance
• Sovereign Bank-Mortgage financing to HCV holders and residents purchasing HOPE VI homes
• Holyoke Housing Authority- Offer CDBG funded FTHB workshop series and downpayment and closing cost assistance through HOME funded Borrower’s Assistance program  

Cultural/Arts Support

• Children’s Museum at Holyoke- free or reduced admissions and memberships
• Massachusetts International Festival for the Arts 

Transportation

• The Care Center- transportation to main center on Cabot Street
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke- transportation to main club for swimming and other programming as needed. 

Relocation

• Valley Opportunity Council- Fuel assistance program, apartment search

Lyman Terrace Resident and Community Stakeholders Meeting

• November 8, 2010
• Heritage State Park
• Appleton Street
• Holyoke, MA
• 6:00 PM

This meeting was attended by 31 residents and/or community stakeholders and HHA staff. A presentation was given by Authority staff outlining the proposed application that is due to HUD by November 22, 2010 and some changes that have been made to the building designs to make them have a more urban feel.  Relocation services and time table and planned community supportive services were also discussed. Much discussion was held in response to the need to decrease the number of homeownership units and the introduction of alternative forms of ownership including Housing Choice Voucher, 8Y, and Rent To Own, section 32.   

Resident Surveys

The surveying of residents began on October 14, 2010. Surveys are one tool used by the Authority to ensure that the services and programs being offered under the HOPE VI program are the ones wanted and needed by the residents. Authority staff will be knocking on your door to ask a series of questions pertaining to family make-up, security, educational goals, services and relocation needs. This is a time to have your voice heard and to be counted. Please contact Tina Serrazina, Property Manager at 413-539-2240, if you have any questions regarding the survey or to set up a time.