Community Development

Community development is a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems. Malden addresses a range of community needs through programs that fund affordable housing, home rehabilitation, social services for low- and moderate-income residents, and physical improvements to the City's parks, public facilities, and infrastructure. OSPCD manages several community development programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the North Suburban Consortium's HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program, and the Lead and Healthy Homes programs, all of which are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Programs are described in greater detail on each program page.

Before receiving federal funds for the CDBG and HOME programs, the City of Malden develops a five-year strategic plan called the Consolidated Plan that identifies the City's community development needs and goals. For each year during the Consolidated Plan, the City submits an Annual Action Plan to HUD detailing the specific programs, activities, and budget it will use to achieve Consolidated Plan objectives. At the end of each program year, the City completes the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) describing the City's progress toward meeting those goals. These plans, reports and other documents are available under the HUD Reports and Notices page.

Malden's Community Development Goals and Objectives

The 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan identified the following goals and objectives for the CDBG and HOME programs. Note that goals and objectives for the HOME program are adopted by the North Suburban Consortium, for which Malden is the lead member.

Affordable Housing – The City of Malden and the other seven communities in the North Suburban Consortium recognize the continuing need for the development of affordable owner-occupied and rental housing, rehabilitation of existing housing to ensure affordability and livability, and support to homebuyers. The escalating housing costs in the Greater Boston area have exacerbated an affordable housing crisis among low-and moderate-income households. The City of Malden and the NSC communities have prioritized the creation and preservation of affordable housing, including development of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing, as a strategy to address escalating housing costs for low- and moderate-income households. 

Public Services – The City of Malden is focused on addressing the needs of low- and moderate-income residents, particularly immigrants, children, seniors, domestic violence survivors, people with disabilities, and other low- and moderate-income populations. The City prioritizes needs related to removing language barriers and other barriers to access; improving public health and health care access; promoting climate adaptation and environmental justice; addressing housing insecurity; and supporting upward mobility and economic opportunity, especially within oppressed groups.

Parks, Public Facilities and Infrastructure – The City of Malden has identified a need to improve parks, public facilities, and infrastructure to address accessibility, climate resiliency, and other needs disproportionately affecting low- and moderate-income residents. Through significant input from the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and relevant City Departments and with broad community and stakeholder participation in the Consolidated Planning process, the City of Malden has identified Parks, Public Facilities, and Infrastructure as an important need. Through this need, the City will support its ongoing climate resiliency activities and ensure the City’s public space is accessible to all residents, and meet the needs of low- and moderate-income residents.

Economic Empowerment – The City of Malden has identified a need to provide economic opportunities to low- and moderate-income residents through job readiness, skill training, small business support, and other strategies in pursuit of economic justice for oppressed communities. Malden’s recent economic successes have helped reduce joblessness, but wages and incomes remain low and inequities persist. 56% of Malden residents are low- and moderate-income, with 40% of residents earning less than 50% of the Area Median Income (FY18 LMISD). Additionally, oppressed groups face wealth and earnings inequities, as well as higher rates of underemployment. Targeted assistance for local small businesses that create jobs for local residents is a demonstrated strategy towards ensuring economic growth benefits are shared equitably throughout Malden’s diverse community.