Community Development

Mission Statement

To revitalize Palmer by: meeting the housing and service needs of the low- and moderate-income population; building and repairing infrastructure vital to the health and safety of the residents; and supporting business development and retention.

How the Mission is Accomplished

To accomplish this mission the Palmer Community Development Department actively seeks funding from a variety of sources. Since 1991 the Department has secured $17,898,697 in grant funds from the following sources:

$13,405,502 (74.1%) Community Development Block Grant Funds
$2,814,646 (12.5%) Ready Resource/Economic Development Fund
$400,000 (2.2%) Community Development Action Grant
$246,113 (1.4%) Get The Lead Out
$210,000 (1.2%) Massachusetts Turnpike Tourism
$200,000 (1.11%) Our Common Backyards
$122,413 (.7%) Home Program
$120,946 (.7%) Downtown Revitalization Program
$97,538 (.5%) USDA Home Improvement
$56,639 (.3%) Home Improvement Loan Program
$50,000 (.3%) Urban Self Help Funding
$40,000 (.22%) Promoting Community Development & Tourism in Western Mass
$35,000 (.19%) MassDevelopment Real Estate Services
$29,050 (.2%) Neighborhood Rehabilitation Program
$28,350 (.2%) Municipal Incentive Grants
$25,000 (.1%) Massachusetts Land Bank
$16,500 (.09%) Massachusetts Downtown Initiative
$1,000 (.01%) Peer to Peer

These funds have leveraged an additional $1,214,924 financial investment and $209,513 in in-kind services. In addition $933,695 of Community Development Block Grant Funds have been utilized an additional time for a total investment in the Town of Palmer of $20,256,829 since 1991.

What Has Been Accomplished

Utilizing the funds described above the Community Development Department has expended:

$6,802,100 to rehabilitate 355 housing units benefiting 804 residents, provide housing workshops to 851 households in the region benefiting 2,150 people
$2,541,592 to make 37 microenterprise loans benefiting 42 residents in the region, provide technical assistance to 114 residents, to make loans to 21 small businesses creating 33 jobs in the region.
$2,494,195 to reconstruct 6,875 linear feet of sidewalks, upgrade 2 pedestrian crossing systems, replace 4,125 linear feet of sanitary sewers, replace 2,005 linear feet of storm drainage, serving 50 homes occupied by 123 residents and reclaim and repave the streets affected by these projects.
$1,971,493 to replace/reline 14,910 linear feet of water mains, install 1 booster pump. Benefiting 164 housing units and 328 residents, conduct 1 study
$1,566,424 Program Administration
$1,211,466 to construct/rehabilitate 2 parks and rehabilitate 3 playgrounds benefiting 1,383 residents
$1,101,913 upgrade 12 facades benefiting 22 businesses, create 14 studies/plans benefiting Main Street businesses, install signs and banners in each village, and offer concerts and hayrides to bring people to the downtown business district
$1,044,474 to rehabilitate memorial hall
$776,523 to provide adult literacy to 94 residents, day care subsidies to 103 residents, parent education classes to 3 parents, business education tuition waivers to 379 people, provide services to 306 senior citizens, 518 survivors of domestic violence, financial literacy education to 48 residents
$529,078 to construct 1 parking lot
$187,573 to purchase and market the Holbrook Site
$30,000 to create a Railroad Research Center at the Palmer Public Library

Fuel Assistance 2025-2026

"To view the guidelines for applying for fuel assistance, please click here. Once you've reviewed the guidelines, make sure to complete the application. You can then either email your completed application to communitydevelopment@townofpalmer.com or deliver it in person to the Community Development Office."

Town of Palmer's Housing Improvement Program

The Town of Palmer is pleased to offer a Housing Rehabilitation Program designed to assist homeowners of low to moderate income with affordable solutions for necessary home repairs. This program specifically targets homes within our designated area.

Funding for this program is made possible through a generous grant awarded to the Town of Palmer by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.

Due to high demand, there is currently a waiting list for applicants. We encourage interested homeowners to apply promptly to secure a place on the list. For more information or to submit an application, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to assist you.

IMMEDIATE NEED - Licensed General Contractors Looking for Work

The Town of Palmer - Community Development Department (Housing Improvement Program) is accepting applications for immediate need from Licensed and Insured Contractors for all aspects of repairs and updates for homes receiving Federal Grant Funds.

Projects are ongoing, and include Roofing, Siding, Heating. For more information, call (413) 283-2614, or stop by the Community Development Department, located at the Town Hall, 4417 Main St., Palmer, MA 01069.

Activities Eligible for CDGB Funding

Activities eligible for assistance with Massachusetts Community Block Grant Program funds are only those listed below. (In all cases, unless otherwise noted, “this title” or “Title I” refers to Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.) (Click link above to read more)

Additional Resident Resources

Access a non-exhaustive listing of resources in Massachusetts including fuel assistance, weatherization, get the lead out program, fair housing enforcement and advocacy, affordable housing opportunities, housing education and counseling, and more!