ORANGE — For the second year in a row, the town will ask for federal funds to boost the social services provided by five local nonprofits.
The organizations being considered for the town’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application offer a variety of services, from delivering hot meals to seniors to helping families overcome the struggles of addiction.
Wednesday was the first of two public informational sessions about Orange’s CDBG application. The CDBG program originates with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which distributes money to states to use toward community development projects.
“All these programs or services have to meet a national objective of either serving low- to moderate-income residents, eliminating slums and blight and in rare cases addressing an urgent need,” said Brian McHugh, director of community development Franklin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
In Massachusetts, the CDBG funds are distributed to individual communities by the state Department of Housing and Community Development.
Orange may apply for up to $800,000 for programs related to either housing assistance and housing rehabilitation; public facilities like senior centers and parks; and organizations providing social services.
Residents are able to give input about what they think the town should include in its application, but McHugh said Wednesday the town and the Franklin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority have already considered seven organizations that could be included for funds.
The organizations considered include LifePath, which delivers nutritional meals to seniors; the Literacy Project, which helps adults pass the High School Equivalency Test; North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy for individuals with disabilities; Seeds of Solidarity, which runs a farm share program aimed at eliminating local food insecurity; Quabbin Mediation, which provides conflict mediation training in schools, businesses and neighborhoods; CHD, which provides counseling to families with a member who is an addict; and LaunchSpace, a new job-training nonprofit at the Orange Innovation Center.
McHugh said he, Orange’s Administrative Assistant Amanda Carey and Community Development Director Alec Wade, have discussed the seven organizations, but it is up to the Selectboard to decide which five to include on the application. However, he did add that LaunchSpace was viewed as less favorably than the other organizations due to a lack of understanding about what the new organization does.
At the Jan. 15 Selectboard meeting, the second informational session will be held, where the social service organizations being considered for funds will be evaluated, and the Selectboard will decide which to include in its application in January or February.
Orange’s CDBG application is due March 6.
Selectboard member Bill Wrigley said the town should apply for the full $800,000 through the program. However, McHugh cautioned that towns may only receive $1.35 million over two years, and would only receive up to $550,000 next year if it successfully gets $800,000 this year.
There is no guarantee of CDBG funds. Massachusetts is expected to receive around $22 million to distribute to communities, McHugh said, and the application must be strong to receive the full $800,000.
In 2017, the town did not score high enough on the state’s rating system to receive funds. Last year, however, the town received $550,000, and five social services organizations each received $20,000, with more money going toward housing rehabilitation.
Denise Andrews, an Orange resident, a former state representative and member of the nonprofit Orange Revitalization Partnership, said she would like to see CDBG funds go toward putting solar panels on commercial buildings in town, potentially as part of a “facade program” project that directs CDBG funds toward buildings and infrastructure.
“The interest is twofold — first, economic sustainability and growth, and second, green energy,” Andrews said.
Andrews added that the design and engineering to replace the Highway Department’s salt shed could also be an option, and might not be too expensive. She said it’s good residents are able to have a say in the CDBG application process.
“It’s nice to see the CDBG process back to the way it used to be, with advance timing and public input,” she said.
McHugh said he would like more information and to analyze Andrew’s proposals before thinking about suggesting them as part of the town’s CDBG application.
Nate Johnson, executive director at North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy — one of the organizations already being considered — said his organization helps those with mental disorders or disabilities lead more fulfilling and independent lives, by supporting the building of relationships between those with disabilities and “advocates.”
The nonprofit provides resources to advocates to build companionship with disabled people, but its ultimate goal is to help people form lasting bonds independent of North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy, Johnson said.
“Advocates are supported by us but are free to follow their heart and do what they’d like,” Johnson said.
Johnson said people like state Rep. Susannah Whipps, I-Athol, have become advocates through the organization and have formed meaningful relationships with people with autism.
According to McHugh, last year 62 percent of Orange qualified as low- to moderate-income, the highest among all towns served by the Franklin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. That number dropped to 58 percent this year.
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.