Public Hearing on 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan – April 22, 2025

The New Britain Common Council held a public hearing on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The hearing covered two agenda items: the 2025 Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program (no speakers) and the proposed 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan, which governs federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds. The meeting featured a presentation by consultant Karen Dash on community needs and feedback, followed by testimony from numerous organizations seeking funding. No votes were taken; the council will deliberate on allocations later.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mary Floyd (Building Hope Together) requested $45,000 in HOME-ARP funds for homelessness prevention and security deposits. She reported that in 2024, $62,000 helped 21 households (27 adults, 13 children), and remaining funds would assist at least 11 more households. She expressed strong support for continued funding to prevent homelessness and reduce shelter strain.
• Christopher Petkoviak (New Britain Lions Club – Warm the Children) requested the same funding as 2024 (precise amount not stated) to provide winter clothing to children aged 3-10 from families within CDBG income limits. He noted the program served 785 children in 2024 at $70 per child, with 100% of donations going directly to purchases.
• Dr. Marlo Grapone (HRA of New Britain) urged the council to maintain funding for supportive housing for people with AIDS (recommended) and to reconsider funding for the New Britain Food and Resource Center (not recommended). He emphasized the center feeds 300 households per session and provides wraparound services.
• Heather Mills (Pathways Senderos Center) thanked the council for proposed funding toward family engagement but requested a modest increase to expand services. She highlighted measurable outcomes: participants remain pregnancy-free, graduate high school, and enroll in post-secondary education.
• Caitlin Rose (Friendship Service Center) requested $20,000 in HOME-ARP funds to sustain a case manager at Hope Connection Center for four months, citing rising homelessness and potential federal cuts. She noted unsheltered homelessness in central Connecticut increased from 52 to 72 between March 2024 and March 2025.
• Opal Montes (Friendship Service Center) acknowledged a suggested $105,000 CDBG award for window replacements at 241 Arch Street (interim housing for up to 60 individuals) but also requested additional funds for windows at two other supportive housing properties (59 Arch Street and 85 Arch Street).
• Linda Ayavana (CCARC) requested HOME funds for critical infrastructure upgrades (sewer, furnaces, water heaters) at a group home for four adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. She noted the home is 106 years old and poses health/safety risks.
• James Jones (Boys & Girls Club of New Britain) requested funding for three projects: after-school/Saturday programs (serving 300+ kids weekly), summer enrichment at Camp Shade ($25/week per child), and drain/sewer repairs at the 50-year-old club building. He expressed strong support for the programs.
• Van Bang (Vietnamese Cultural and Mutual Aid Community) requested funding to repair a 1937 building at 255 Cherry Street (roof, ceiling, brick, HVAC). He emphasized the need for a safe cultural space and bilingual community programming.
• Faith Gibson (Platform for Support) thanked the council for recommended funding and reported achievements: 30 participants in mentorship, 150 students with uniforms, 40 families referred to agencies.
• Latanya Hill (Girls with Voices – Create Peace Program) requested funding for a bullying prevention program using workshops, peer mentoring, and conflict resolution training.
• Barbara Damon (Prudence Crandall Center) thanked the council for proposed CDBG and HOME-ARP allocations but noted a 50% reduction ($40,000 cut) in HOME-ARP funds. She stressed the importance of housing support for survivors of domestic violence and asked for additional HOME-ARP funds to avoid reductions.
• New Britain Fire Department requested funds for the Fire Explorer Program (mentorship and recruitment for youth) and to replace thermal imaging cameras (current units over 10 years old and unserviceable).
• Maggie Wenarski (Recreation Department) requested funding for Every Kid Counts After School Program at Lincoln Elementary (serves 35 kids, 3rd-5th grade). She noted the program provides homework help, enrichment, and meals.
• Recreation Department representative requested funding for pickleball/tennis courts at A.W. Stanley Park and an additional request to cover half the project cost after securing other funds.
• Juno Leary (Recreation Department) requested $50,000 for ADA-accessible walkway repairs to address hazards for residents with disabilities. She noted that over 50% of complaints from the previous year remain unaddressed.
• Paul Fox (Opportunities Industrialization Center) thanked the council for a $10,000 recommendation and hoped it would be approved to leverage additional funding for STEM career programs for young men.
• Dean Williamson (Ready CT) thanked the council for recommended funding for career pathway programs at New Britain High School. He noted the organization has placed 14 students in internships and helped many earn scholarships.
• Nicole Villanueva and Carla Allende (YWCA New Britain) requested $10,000 for the Child Care Business Incubator Project. Allende, a graduate, shared how the program helped her start a licensed home daycare with high-quality rating.
• Destiny Alicia (YWCA House of Teens) spoke as a participant, stating the program helped her overcome shyness, build a resume, and become a certified community health worker at age 17.
• Marcy Moscell (Berlin YMCA) requested continued support for the Express Drop-In program at Willow Street Park, serving children and families in a challenging neighborhood for six weeks each summer.
• Devon Tanksley (New Britain Legacies Youth Development) requested funding for job training, financial literacy, and youth sports. He noted plans to partner with a construction developer to train youth for local jobs.
• Ron Sheffer (Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut) requested funding for adult literacy programs. He cited statistics: 20% of residents have limited English proficiency, 18% lack a high school diploma, and average earnings without a diploma are $27,325 ($23,821 for women). In the last year, 39 students secured better jobs, 15 became U.S. citizens, and 96 parents improved literacy to support children.
• Ergy Bodie (New Life, New Beginnings Ministries) requested funding to replace 25-year-old windows in a 1900 building that houses up to 23 men. He noted heating/cooling costs are 50% above normal due to inefficiency.
• Laura Woody (Sincere Consulting, on behalf of Housing Authority) requested HOME-ARP funds to assist families displaced by the Mount Pleasant redevelopment (188 units, phase 1: 64 units). She explained that 48 families need relocation, with 28 leaving the property. Funds would pay for security deposits, old utility bills, and moving expenses to remove barriers to housing.
• Laura Woody (also for Housing Authority) requested funds for retractable blinds and acoustical tiles at the Center of Excellence (a learning/job incubator) to improve energy efficiency and reduce noise for daycare children.
• Nick Burns (Public Works) requested CDBG funding for sidewalk and curb ramp repairs in a low-income neighborhood (bounded by Stanley, Kelsey, Chapman, Smalley Streets). He noted 27% of residents lack vehicles and rely on safe sidewalks.
• Dwayne Pierre (Worldwide Youth Networks/Paradigm Prime) requested funding for an after-school program focusing on workforce development and trauma-informed peer mentorship for high school students. He noted 3,000 students served over 16 years.
• Paul Bailock (Art League of New Britain) requested funding for repairs to the 1870 carriage house (roof, HVAC, flooding mitigation). He read letters of support from community members highlighting the league's cultural and economic impact.
• Rex Cohn (New Britain Senior Center) requested funding for a community support worker to assist seniors with tax relief, rent rebates, and energy assistance (over 1,100 appointments annually). He also requested bathroom renovations to improve accessibility and capacity.
• Jim Dunn (Neighborhood Housing Services) requested $200,000 in HOME funds for the Toolworks project: converting two vacant historic buildings (56 Whiting St and 132 Glen St) into 14 affordable housing units. He noted the project is approved by historic commission and zoning board, and city support signals confidence to other funders.
• Adrian Elliott (Gallery 66/NHS) requested funding for an expanded arts program serving 1,500 participants (ages 12-15 and 55+). He proposed partnerships with senior center, nursing facilities, after-school programs, and OIC.
• Joey and Israel Perez (New Britain Roots) requested funding for community gardens and beehive/pollinator programs. Israel described how the program teaches children about healthy eating and brings the community together.
• Police Athletic League representative requested funding to support sports and enrichment programs, noting partnerships with Inspire program for girls' basketball and midnight soccer. He expressed strong support for continued city investment.
• Dana Snell (Queen Ann Zinga Center) requested funding for the Growners Program, which provides services to children in New Britain since 1989. She shared a story about a boy with reading difficulties who successfully announced at a women's history event. She emphasized that small nonprofits rely on even small grants.
• Nicole Sanders (Consolidated School District) requested housing support for aspiring teachers recruited from Puerto Rico for special education. She proposed using funds for rental assistance during their first year of teaching.
• Patrick Carney (Water Department) requested funding to replace lead or galvanized water service lines for 5-6 homeowners. He noted lead can leach into water from old pipes, posing health risks to children and pregnant women.
• Martin Jumus (Monsignor Borowski Manor) requested funding for security cameras to prevent vandalism in the parking lot of the senior housing facility.
• Braden Ransom (Health Collective) requested funding for the Senior Denture Program, which provided services to 62 low-income seniors last year (11 received new dentures). He noted the program improves quality of life.
• Lysandra Samuels (New Britain Youth Football and Cheer) expressed disappointment at not receiving recommended funding but thanked the council for past support. She reported the program serves over 400 children annually, with many graduating high school and earning college degrees.

Discussion Items

• Consolidated Plan Presentation: Karen Dash (consultant) presented findings from community engagement (over 160 participants, 84 survey responses). Key statistics included: New Britain receives approximately $1.516 million annually in CDBG and $561,000 in HOME funds; median home price $207,000; fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,654, requiring an hourly wage of $31.81; 549 seniors and people with disabilities are on the housing authority waitlist; 19% of housing is deed-restricted affordable (well above 10% state requirement). Public priorities included affordable housing, homelessness services, downtown revitalization, and job training. Dash noted potential federal funding uncertainties due to proposed HUD staff reductions.
• Tax Credit Program: No public comments were offered on the Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program.

Key Outcomes

• The hearing was adjourned at 8:59 PM. No formal votes were taken. The council will consider all testimony and funding recommendations from the Commission on Community and Neighborhood Development in subsequent meetings. Applicants urged the council to approve allocations and, in some cases, increase funding amounts. The council acknowledged the need to monitor federal funding developments.