Groton Community Development Advisory Committee - 3/18/26

The Groton Community Development Advisory Committee met on March 18, 2026, to discuss various community development programs, with a significant focus on housing rehabilitation funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The committee reviewed the status of the housing rehab program, noting a balance of approximately $313,000 in CDBG funds and challenges in spending these funds timely due to limited consulting resources and a backlog of projects statewide. They discussed potential alternative uses for the funds beyond housing rehab, provided they meet CDBG requirements, including projects benefiting low- to moderate-income residents, such as improvements to community centers or nonprofit facilities. The committee also addressed the shortage of qualified rehabilitation consultants and the town's efforts to manage some projects internally. Additionally, updates were given on the town-owned housing rehab program with a balance of $375,000 and ongoing projects. The meeting included information on the Neighborhood Assistance Act program for nonprofit funding, fair housing education initiatives, and planning efforts related to housing development and zoning, including the concept of "missing middle" housing. No formal votes on procurement or contract awards were recorded, but the discussion highlighted procurement challenges and potential future project allocations requiring council approval and public hearings.