(FY2020 CDBG) Slum & Blight Inventory Reports -New Village & Rockdale Neighborhood Target Areas
Community Planning & Development, on behalf of the Town (Board of Selectmen) is working with Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (Consultant) to prepare Slum & Blight Inventories for New Village (Whitinsville) and Rockdale Neighborhood, as part of Northbridge’s 2020 Community Development Block Grant program.
A Slum & Blight Inventory incudes an analysis of existing physical conditions of public and private buildings, infrastructure, and facilities within a defined study area. The selected neighborhoods (within Rockdale & New Village) are located in Census Blocks with Low/Mod-Income populations exceeding 40%.
A preliminary survey of the study target area(s) was conducted in February 2020, as part of an initial windshield survey of housing conditions. Based on these observations, it appeared New Village and the Rockdale neighborhood may qualify as a “blighted area” using DHCD standards for such determination. It is important to note, the term “Slum & Blight” is not one of local choice but is a requirement of the State and Federal government.
In order to be considered as “Slum & Blighted” a target area must meet specific criteria, including Massachusetts’ definition of substandard, blighted, or decadent area (-see MGL Ch 121B [Definitions] attached). The area must also have at least 25% of its properties experience one or more of the following conditions: physical deterioration of buildings or improvements, abandoned properties, chronic high occupancy turnover rates, significant declines in property values or abnormally low property values, or known/suspected environmental contamination; or public improvements throughout the area in general state of deterioration.
Arrangements have been made for the Board of Selectmen to hold a Public Hearing Monday, June 13, 2022 to review with Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (Consultant) and the public the completed SBI report and consider vote to accept its findings. Upon vote of acceptance by the Board, the Slum & Blight Inventories shall be provided to DHCD -Department of Housing & Community Development for approval and formal designation as substandard, blighted, or decadent areas. The approved SBI shall be valid for a 10-year period.
The completed inventories will provide the town with baseline information that may be used to identify strategies to revitalizing the neighborhood areas. Where an approved Slum & Blight Inventory may also create opportunities for Northbridge to pursue future CDBG funds to assist in those efforts. Specifically, infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitation and other activities that support neighborhood revitalization of the target area.
-Click here to view Public Hearing Notice
-Click here to view Slum & Blight Inventory Report (Rockdale Target Area)
-Click here to view Slum & Blight Inventory Report (New Village Target Area)
-Click here to view MGL Chapter 121A & Chapter 121B
-Click here to view Community Planning & Development memoradnum (May 2022)
-Click here to view Community Planning & Development memorandum (June 2022)