Norwich Opens Public Comment on $847,180 CDBG Plan

Norwich has opened public comment on a proposed $847,180 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2026, with comments due by 4:00 p.m. on August 6, 2026.

The proposal would direct federal CDBG entitlement funds toward housing, building systems, pedestrian access, public services and program administration. The plan remains under public review, so the listed amounts should not be treated as final awards or completed projects.

What the proposal would fund

The two largest proposed allocations are $200,000 for replacing the boiler system at Melrose Park and $200,000 for project delivery related to rehabilitating substandard housing, including safety and code-compliance work.

The plan also proposes $147,744 for Boswell Avenue sidewalk connectivity. That allocation is for pedestrian infrastructure and does not represent completed construction.

Another $130,000 is proposed for five public-service programs: $15,000 for Children in Placement – GAL; $25,000 for Safe Futures’ Domestic Violence Response Team; $15,000 for RCLC’s Pathways to Financial Stability; $50,000 for Norwich Housing Stabilization through NHS; and $25,000 for TRCS’ Removing Barriers to Housing Stability.

The remaining $169,436 is proposed for administration through the Office of Community Development. That funding would support management and delivery of the CDBG program rather than a separate construction or service project.

Public hearing and comment deadline

The Norwich Community Development Advisory Committee held a related public hearing and special meeting on July 23, 2026. The agenda included a staff presentation on the PY52 Annual Action Plan and information about submitting written comments.

The city’s public-comment period began July 7 and runs through August 6. Written comments must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on that date to be considered.

How Norwich residents can comment

Comments may be submitted to the Director of the Office of Community Development at 23 Union Street, Norwich, CT 06360. The city also lists email submission to Patricia Mullins at pmullins@cityofnorwich.org.

Copies of the proposed plan are available online, at Norwich City Hall at 100 Broadway in the Office of the City Manager and Office of the City Clerk, and at the Office of Community Development at 23 Union Street.

For residents, the proposal offers a chance to weigh in on housing conditions, housing stability, domestic-violence services, building systems at public housing, sidewalk connections and the administration of federal community-development funds. The final funding amounts and project status will depend on the remaining public-review process and subsequent city action.

Sources

• Norwich Office of Community Development public-comment notice