The city of Springfield has a variety of services that it offers to help citizens live better lives. Some of these services include affordable housing, homelessness prevention, meals on wheels, and partnerships with other agencies. Read on to learn more about these programs.

Affordable housing

Providing affordable housing is one of the most important issues facing the city of Springfield. There are more than 12,500 households in the city that pay more than half their income on rent. That’s almost a third of the population.

In April, the City Council passed an ordinance to address affordability. They will hold an auction of 27 tax-foreclosed properties on Tuesday, October 17. The City of Springfield was also one of 14 cities nationwide to receive a HUD Door Knocker Award.

A recent Housing Study by the Office of Housing provided a snapshot of the housing conditions in Springfield. It will be used as a guide for local politicians, developers, and neighborhood leaders to improve the city’s housing situation.

The city has $5 million in funding available to address the housing crisis. The funds will be used to create affordable housing projects, provide homeless services, and expand existing programs.

Homelessness

The Springfield City Services Department is seeking a nonprofit housing development organization to help the homeless in Springfield, MA. According to the City of Springfield, approximately 583 people are currently homeless in the city. It is hoped that a new project will bring 11 new homes to the city.

A city-sponsored competition is set to select projects to be funded with federal HUD money. Funds will be allocated for four categories of activities: affordable housing, rapid rehousing, assisting families with children, and addressing the needs of the elderly. In the spring, the Springfield Housing Office will release a Request for Proposals for these programs.

The Continuum of Care (CoC) has been seeking a new nonprofit organization to operate a project for 32 chronically homeless individuals in the community. Currently, the CoC’s Heartland HOUSED strategic plan calls for upping the number of permanent housing opportunities available to the homeless from 230 to 765.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a program that provides nutritious meals to senior citizens who are unable to cook for themselves. This is an important service because seniors often need assistance with mobility, dietary needs, and socialization.

The program is supported by various state and local government agencies and private organizations. It is also dependent on donations from the general public. For example, there is a $2 donation per meal, which helps offset part of the cost of the meals.

In addition to the meals, the program provides daily well-being checks for its seniors. The program also offers information and referral services. Some communities offer home repair services or transportation.

To receive a Meals on Wheels delivery, the senior must be able to eat a healthy and nutritious meal, and move around without difficulty. There are numerous programs available across Lane County. Each one works with local resources and the needs of its clients.

Sculpture Walk Springfield

The Sculpture Walk is a rotating outdoor art museum that showcases some of the best art in the Midwest. The best part is that it is free to the public. There are 31 sculptures that are spread out over the downtown area. They are on display for the month of February and May each year. This is one of the biggest rotating art exhibits in the Midwest.

The aforementioned is an art installation created by Jacob Burmood, a Missouri State University graduate and public artist. It is located near Booth-Kelly Business Complex. His work also adorns several other locations in the metro area.

The Sculpture Walk is a collaboration between the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) and the Springfield Regional Arts Council (SRAC). In October 2016, CFO and SRAC jointly announced a $60,000 grant to purchase a sculptor’s masterpiece at Jordan Valley Park.

Partnerships with other agencies

Springfield City Services is looking for nonprofit housing development organizations to work with the city. These organizations would be responsible for assisting those experiencing homelessness in Springfield. Applicants would be given a chance to attend a pre-proposal technical assistance workshop. This workshop will provide troubleshooting advice and examples of successful responses.

In addition, Springfield will be offering up to $800,000 in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds for redevelopment projects. The funds are awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a result of numerous presidentially declared disasters in 2011.

A pre-proposal technical assistance workshop will be offered on December 20th. Staff will answer Frequently Asked Questions and review CDBG funding requirements and requirements for the City of Springfield. Those interested in attending this workshop are encouraged to register at City Hall. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m.