Federal funds could go toward renovation of 2200 Ashland St. building to allow use as overnight shelter
By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news
The city of Ashland has opened a comment window seeking public input on the potential to allocate portions of federally awarded funds to renovations at 2200 Ashland St., according to a release from the city.
From the previous funding cycle of the Housing and Human Development Department’s Community Block Grant Funds, the city of Ashland could reallocate $112,112.oo to support renovations at the 2200 Ashland St., such as the installation of a sprinkler system, fire egress modifications, laundry shower and additional restrooms, the release said.
These funds were previously provisionally allocated to Sunstone Housing Collective and need to be reallocated to “remain timely in the expenditure of CDBG funding and complete needed improvements,” at 2200 Ashland St., according to the release. The city could also retain a portion of the upcoming 2025 CDBG funds earmarked for capital improvement projects to cover any remaining costs for the aforementioned improvements to 2200 Ashland St.
The CDBG funds are intended to support “community development activities identified through an ongoing process,” according to the HUD website. Activities listed included “infrastructure, economic development projects, public facilities installation, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, homeowner assistance, etc.”
Cities receiving funds create action plans for fund use and by federal regulation must amend the plan for certain actions, including relocation of funds. The plans also must quantify what amendments are substantial enough to require citizen input, according to the city’s release. The city of Ashland’s plan requires a 30-day public notice and a public hearing for review and approval before the Housing and Human Services Advisory Committee in order to make a change such as a reallocation of funds, according to the release.
Public comment on the potential allocation of funds for 2200 Ashland St. can be submitted in person at the Community Development and Engineering Building at 51 Winburn Way, or in writing to Linda Reid, Housing Program Manager via email. The window for comment will close Jan. 2, but can also be presented to the Ashland Housing and Human Services Advisory Committee at a public hearing on the Action Plan amendment on January 2, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., according to the release.
The Amended CDBG Action Plan is available for review on the City’s website (PDF) or in hard copy which must be requested by Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected].
