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Housing & Community Development

Housing & Community Development Division

Mission

The mission of the Newton Housing & Community Development Division is to maintain the City's economic diversity through:

  • The production and preservation of affordable housing and housing rehabilitation; 
  • The provision of human services for low- and moderate-income residents; 
  • The provision of homelessness prevention and support services; and  
  • The removal of architectural barriers for people with disabilities

To accomplish this mission, the City uses funds from three annual grants, totaling approximately $3.5 million, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): CDBG, HOME, and ESG.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 

CDBG is designed to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons. 

The City of Newton's CDBG funds are allocated among four categories:

  • Affordable Housing 
  • Human Services
  • Architectural Access
  • Neighborhood Improvements 

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) 

HOME was created to expand and improve the supply of decent, safe and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income persons.  

As the lead entity for the WestMetro HOME Consortium, the City of Newton receives and administers HOME funds for the City and twelve other member communities - the Towns of Bedford, Belmont, Brookline, Concord, Lexington, Natick, Needham, Sudbury, Watertown, and Wayland, and the Cities of Framingham and Waltham.

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) 

The ESG program is targeted at improving the lives and safety of persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The program is designed to serve the region's most vulnerable population by providing funds to: 

  • Improve the quality and number of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; 
  • Help operate these shelters; 
  • Provide essential services to shelter residents; 
  • Rapidly rehouse homeless individuals and families; and 
  • Prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless

More information about the types of programs funded with the CDBG, HOME, and ESG programs can be found by selecting the various program links above.

The City uses several plans and reports to describe the goals, progress and accomplishments of the Housing and Community Development Program.

For questions regarding the Newton Housing & Community Development Division, please contact Amanda Berman, Director of Housing & Community Development at aberman@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1147. For office locations, hours, and staff, please visit the Housing and Community Development Division staff directory.

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