Office of Housing Improving the City's housing stock and residential neighborhoodsNEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF HOUSINGRebuild Springfield - District Meetings ScheduledNext week, Rebuild Springfield will be holding the final round of public district meetings. This will be the public's last time to provide input and commentary on the district plans before the Citywide strategy is completed. These meetings will be held at the following locations:
For updates and more information, view the flyer or visit the Rebuild Springfield website. Tax Title Auction Brings in $324,709The City of Springfield held a successful auction of tax foreclosed properties on Wednesday, November 30. To read the article from The Springfield Republican on Masslive, please click here. City of Springfield Seeks Proposals for the Redevelopment of State Street Properties
The City of Springfield is currently seeking proposals for the redevelopment of the following properties:
Proposals are due to the City of Springfield, Office of Procurement by 2:00 p.m. on December 21, 2011. For more information please click here or contact the Office of Procurement. Homeowner Rebuilding GuideThe City of Springfield and HAPHousing have teamed up to create a Rebuilding Guide for Homeowners to assist residents in accessing and identifying the resources they need to rebuild after the devastating tornado on June 1, 2011. This Guide has been generously supported by Develop Springfield. The guide provides detailed information about insurance, FEMA assistance and SBA loans, undertaking construction and working with City agencies, and incentives and information for green building, healthy homes, handicap accessibility and historic preservation. The Guide also tells you where to go for assistance if you need help navigating the system. Rebuilding Guide for Homeowners Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Redevelopment of 229 Central Street & 128 Orleans StreetThe City is currently soliciting proposals for the redevelopment of the properties at 229 Central Street and 128 Orleans Street. For more information you can visit our website or contact the Office of Procurement. Community Rebuilding FairAs individuals and communities are striving to rebuild homes, businesses and lives in the aftermath of the tornado that touched down on June 1, there continues to be many unanswered questions about the recovery process. Many others who were not directly affected by the tornado also have questions and needs. At the Community Rebuilding Fair, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about available programs and have direct access to services. Participants can meet with legal, insurance, financial, housing, zoning, career, construction, and sustainability experts to ask questions and obtain assistance. This community event is open to the public and is FREE. The Community Rebuilding Fair will take place on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at the High School of Commerce, 415 State Street, Springfield. Between 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Redevelopment of Vacant LotsThe City is currently seeking proposals for the redevelopment of the following vacant lots, citywide:
For more information on this soliciation you may visit our website or contact the Office of Procurement. Financial Fitness EducationSpringfield Neighborhood Housing Services provides Financial Fitness education for clients who are not ready to purchase for various reasons such as: credit issues, bankruptcy or high debts. The Financial Fitness program identifies the obstacles that prevent people from buying, helps them develop a plan and budget, and monitors the customer’s progress towards overcoming the obstacles. The workshops are ten hours of intensive education covering topics including:
Workshop Schedule: All workshops run for four weeks, two hours and 30 minutes each week for a total of ten hours and are held from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at 111 Wilbraham Road, Springfield (unless otherwise stated). September, 2011
October, 2011
November, 2011
December, 2011
To register please contact Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services at (413) 739-4737, ext. 100. Free Homebuyer EducationSpringfield Neighborhood Housing Services provides FREE Homebuyer Education to help buyers learn what they need to know BEFORE purchasing a home. Hundreds of families attend classes here and learn about:
Please contact Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services for a Customer Intake Form-which must be completed in order for registration to be confirmed. Workshops are co-sponsored with MassHousing on:
Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services is a HUD APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY. “Working Together to Build Strong Communities”. Please contact Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services at (413)739-4737, ext. 100 to register. Join The HAPHousing Homebuyer ClubHAPHousing is offering a series of four classes to provide the information on obtaining the tools needed to reach your your goal of owning your own home. The classes are being held between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at HAPHousing at 322 Main Street, Springfield, MA on the following dates:
Space is limited. A non-refundable, registration fee of $35 per person or $40 per couple is required. The classes will cover the following topics:
For more information contact HAPHousing at 413-233-1612 or 1-800-332-9667 extension 1612. Free Homeowners WorkshopHAPHousing will be hosting a FREE HOMEOWNERS WORKSHOP on September 17, 2011 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at 322 Main Street, Springfield, MA. The workshop will cover the following topics
Space is limited. Sign up today by contact HAPHousing at 413-233-1616 or 800-332-9667 extension 1616. FEMA Disaster AssistancePresident Obama has declared Hampden County a federal disaster area. This declaration makes certain assistance available to residents and businesses who have sustained losses due to the tornado. Registration may be completed online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/, or in Spanish at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/?langcode+ES, by smartphone through m.FEMA.gov, or by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration HelpLine at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Individuals with hearing or speech impairment may call TTY 1-800-462-7585, or use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) to call 1-800-621-3362. Multi-language assistance is available. Telephone registration is available from 7 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. In addition, FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the STCC Technology Park, One Federal Building, Building #104. Those affected by the disaster can meet with specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Additionally, representatives from several state agencies under the Offices of Health and Human Services, Housing and Economic Development and Labor and Workforce Development will be available at the DRCs to provide state assistance where available. Catholic Charities, along with other vital federal and state voluntary agencies, will also be represented at the DRCs to help coordinate donations and volunteer inquiries. Please note that, before visiting a DRC, those seeking assistance are strongly urged to first register with FEMA for assistance. Landlords with Vacant PropertyThe City is requesting all landlords with vacant property that can be used to re-house people displaced by the tornado should contact the Office of Housing at 413-787-6500. Tax Foreclosure Auction Rescheduled for July 19, 2011Due to the effects and cleanup of the tornado the City has rescheduled the tax title auction of twenty seven tax foreclosed properties on Tuesday, June 19, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Registration will begin at 5:00 p.m. The auction will be held at City Hall-2nd Floor, 36 Court Street, Springfield, MA. For additional information and to view auction documents please click here. Emergency Shelter InformationDue to the widespread devastation created by tornadoes across Springfield, the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross has set up two emergency shelters for those displaced by the storms:
If you have non-emergency questions, needs and/or reports please contact the City's 3-1-1 Call Center at 413-736-3111. The Red Cross Safe and Well website is being used to track residents who have been displaced by yesterday’s tornadoes in the Springfield area. The Safe and Well website is a free, public communication tool where those affected by disasters can register on the site and post messages that they are safe. Loved ones can then conduct a search on the site to view the posted messages. To access the website, please go to www.redcross.org/safeandwell. You can enter yourself as “Safe and Well” if you were impacted by the storm, or search for a loved one you cannot locate. If you do not have access to a computer and the internet, the City’s 3-1-1 Call Center can assist you with entering yourself into the system or searching for a loved one. The number into the 3-1-1 Center is 413-736-3111. Registration computers will be made available at shelter locations within the City of Springfield for residents located at those sites. Please be patient as the database will take time to fill up. If you do not see a loved one listed when you search initially, please check back later.
Tax Foreclosure Auction Scheduled for June 21, 2011The City's will be holding the next ballroom style auction of twenty seven tax foreclosed properties on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Registration will begin at 5:00 p.m. The auction will be held at City Hall-2nd Floor, 36 Court Street, Springfield, MA. Click here to view the Auction Flyer For additional information and to view auction documents please click here. City of Springfield receives national HUD "Door Knocker Award"The City of Springfield and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were among fourteen nationwide recipients of the HUD "Door Knocker Award" for excellence in producing quality affordable housing. The award specifically highlights the redevelopment of 149-unit Worthington Commons. Worthington Commons, developed by First Resource Development Company, involved the rehabilitation of several historic buildings using a combination of federal grants, tax credits and loan funds. The project is a key component in the turnaround of the downtown Summit Hill Neighborhood. Read The Springfield Republican article on Masslive Quincy Street Redevelopent begins with "Blitz Build"The City of Springfield and the Partnership for the Renewal of the Old Hill Neighborhood is kicking off the planned redevelopment of twenty six properties in a four-block section of Quincy Street. The planned redevelopment is a collaboration between the City of Springfield, Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services, Hap Inc., Rebuilding Together Springfield and Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity. The redevelopment is beginning with a Habitat for Humanity "Blitz Build" that will involve the construction of a new two family home in a five day period. Redevelopment on Quincy Street will occur throughout the summer and is being funded primarily with Neighborhood Stabilization Funds.
View Daily Updates on the "Blitz Build" on the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity website Request for Proposals (RFP) for Historic Hamilton House at 32 Temple StreetThe City of Springfield is currently soliciting proposals for the historic Hamilton House at 32 Temple Street in the Lower Maple Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Proposals are due by May 23, 2011. For more information regarding the property and RFP requirements please click here. View the Springfield Republican news article available on Masslive.com. Abutter Auction scheduled for May 24, 2011The City of Springfield will be auctioning 24 non-buildable lots on May 24, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. This auction is open to abutter's only and properties included in this auction cannot be built upon and may be used solely for open space and/or accessory parking to an immediately adjacent property under common ownership. For a listing of properties and additional information regarding this auction please click here. Request for Qualified Developers for Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)The Office of Housing is seeking additional developers to carry out it Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Non-profit and for-profit organizations with the technical and financial capacity to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed or abandoned properties are encouraged to apply. Qualified developers are eligible to apply for federal NSP funds to carry out redevelopment in target neighborhoods in the City. The targeted neighborhoods are Old Hill, Six Corners, the South End and lower Forest Park. Copies of the Request for Qualifications will be available at the Office of Housing starting April 19, 2011. Any questions regarding this RFQ should be submitted in writing no later than May 9, 2011, and will be answered on the Office of Housing website no later than May 13, 2011. All proposals must be received by the Office of Housing no later than noon on May 20, 2011. Developers that have previously been qualified for the NSP program do not need to reapply. OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ON OFFICE OF HOUSING PROGRAMS
Housing Inspectional Services Division**PLEASE NOTE-The Housing Inspectional Services Division has moved to 70 Tapley Street as part of the reorganization of the Inspectional Services Division. You can now access the Building Department, Permitting, Plumbing & Electrical, Zoning and Housing Inspectional Services Division in one convenient location** The Housing Inspectional Services Division is responsible for enforcing the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code and City of Springfield Ordinances that regulate and improve the quality of Springfield’s public and private housing stock. Report a Code ViolationView or Print a copy of the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, Minimum Standards for Human HabitationAn overview of the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code-Minimum Standards for Human HabitationFor construction, permitting, zoning, electrical and/or plumbing questions or to obtain a certificate of occupancy please contact the Building Department at (413)787-6031 or visit their website: City of Springfield Building Code Enforcement websiteFor questions related to smoke and carbon monoxide detector certificates and/or oil fired heating questions please contact the Fire Department at (413)787-6400 or visit their website: City of Springfield Fire Department website |
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Page last updated: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 01:17 pm