The proposed HOME Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan Program (HOME ARP) Allocation Plan is intended to help reduce homelessness in the city.

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

With the cost-of-living crisis and the lack of access to affordable housing in Somerville rampant, some temporary relief might be on the way. Last Thursday, the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) hosted a public hearing on a proposed plan designed to tackle access to affordable housing in the city.

The HOME Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan Program (HOME ARP) Allocation Plan is composed of a one-time award of $1.6 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that is in need to be spent by April 2030.

According to city officials, the members most benefited through this initiative would be people who are unhoused, at risk of becoming unhoused, and people fleeing domestic violence.

Lisa Davidson, Housing Grants Manager for the City of Somerville, talked about the public feedback process before this meeting.

“A lot of our responses came that the high need was for affordable rental housing, rental assistance, shelters, supportive services, utility assistance, street outreach,” Davidson said, “There was a clear prioritization, a critical priority for rental housing.”

According to figures from the meeting, $1.2 million dollars are proposed to be allocated for supportive services with the rest of the funds given to non-profit organizations designed to tackle homelessness in Somerville.

Public comments will be accepted by the City of Somerville until March 17, after city officials will take these into consideration for a revised proposal with is slated to be completed and sent to the HUD on March 31.

For more information on the proposal and to send written comments to the City of Somerville, visit: https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2023/02/23/home-arp-allocation-plan-public-meeting.