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HUD Programs 2009-2010
Each year, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates critical funding to the City for community development activities. Funds are used to assist with home repairs and homeownership, demolish blight and enforce code, improve infrastructure, and fund the delivery of community services to our more vulnerable populations.
The three programs supported by these funds are the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), and Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG).
Since 2003, Binghamton’s annual CDBG allocation has been reduced by 20%, HOME funds have dropped 13.1%, and Mayor Ryan has joined a chorus of Mayor's calling for a reverse of this troubling trend. CDBG remains the little-known lifeline to stronger neighborhoods, one of the most successful federal-local partnerships of the last forty years, and funding should not only be stabilized but dramatically boosted. President Obama restored some funding for CDBG, allocating approximately $4 billion for 2010-2011, but this level of investment is still dramatically insufficient to meet the needs in our communities.
The City uses a strong community-based process to develop these annual budgets. Please click here to view the City’s approved Fiscal Year 35 Annual Action Plan budget, which covers the period of September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2010.
NOTE: The City's HUD programs have been supplemented by the grants the City has obtained through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
Housing Activities. The City administers four primary housing programs to sustain and revitalize neighborhoods:
- First Time Homebuyer
- Single Family Rehabilitation Program
- Investor Owner Program
- Curb Appeal Program
Please see the Housing Resources dedicated page to learn more about these programs.
As part of the 2009-2010 CDBG budget, the City also earmarked funds for Weatherization Assistance as we look to begin accepting applications under the Binghamton Energy Efficiency Program (Be2 Program) in September 2010. Also, by creatively using CDBG and HOME funds to leverage additional state and federal resources, the City has secured more than $6 million over the last three years for housing rehab and blight prevention. We will continue to apply funds from CDBG, HOME, the New York Affordable Housing Corporation, and the Restore NY Program to achieve our housing investment goals.
Demolition. CDBG funds will allow the City to demolish vacant residential, commercial, and industrial structures, which in turn will remove blight and position such properties for positive development. Some of the funding will be set aside to match the City's Restore NY demolition funds. We also used the funds under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a federal initiative, to carry out multiple demolitions on Glenwood, and CDBG-R (stimulus funds) to demolish long-time blight on Charlotte Street.
Code Enforcement. The City will also use CDBG to fund the salary, benefits, and supplies for three Code Enforcement officers and one Vacant Property Officer. These officers are central to the City's award-winning Blight Prevention Initiative and overall efforts to promote safety, improved market values, and economic development across Binghamton.
Public Infrastructure & Parks. CDBG funds will allow the City to implement a more aggressive Mill and Pave Program in 2010 than in prior years. Please see the 2010 Streets Program dedicated page, which will be posted soon by the Engineering Department.
Economic Development: Revolving Loan Fund. CDBG also funds the Binghamton Local Development Corporation's (BLDC) Revolving Loan Fund, which provides low-interest commercial loans for development projects that that will create and retain job opportunities for low/moderate income residents. Mayor Ryan has recapitalized the revolving loan fund by $685,000 in the last few years, and BLDC has successfully leveraged millions in private investment with these new resources. The BLDC is administered by the Office of Economic Development, and overseen by a Board of Directors that includes leaders from across Binghamton's public, private and non-profit sectors.
Neighborhood Development Activities. The City continues to fund special programming that allows residents to take a more active role in deciding how these federal funds are invested in targeted neighborhoods. The Neighborhood IDEA! form, released August 2010, is the "new and improved" application for residents seeking to tap mini-grants from the Neighborhood Development Project Fund. We are looking to better integrate resident-led projects into ongoing planning initiatives to create a catalytic and lasting impact. Additionally, we continue to support green and sustainability projects, such as recycling workshops, tree planting programs for homeowners, and urban agriculture/community gardening.
Youth Programming. The City, under Mayor Ryan, has shown a strong commitment to our local youth. The creation of a Youth Bureau in 2007 was a first key step toward this goal, and CDBG budgets for the last two years have included dedicated funds for Youth Programming. Last year, funds were used to support Gang Prevention activities, "Fresh Cycles" at the Lee Barta Community Center, an expanded Summer Youth Employment, and youth leadership and skills development. Please visit the Youth Bureau page, updated and maintained by local city youth, for more information.
Community Service Programs. A portion of CDBG funds and 95% of ESG funds are used to fund local community service programs. Such programs provide essential services to help improve the quality of life, especially for our more vulnerable populations.
CDBG AWARDS: 2009-2010
| Agency |
Title/Description |
Award |
| ACHIEVE |
Summer Camp for Children with Disabilities |
$ 7,765.00 |
| Action for Older Persons |
Senior Health Insurance Planning |
$ 18,000.00 |
| Boys & Girls Club |
Launch A Healthy Life Style |
$ 7,765.00 |
| Broome County League |
After School/Summer Program |
$ 7,765.00 |
| Catholic Charities RSVP |
Transportation Services for Seniors |
$ 7,765.00 |
| Crime Victims Assistance Center |
Assault Prevention Program |
$ 14,880.00 |
| First Ward Action Council |
Home Repair Program |
$ 17,060.00 |
| Haven After School Program |
After School Program for Binghamton HS students |
$ 19,000.00 |
| Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network |
Parents Resource Center |
$ 20,000.00 |
| |
TOTAL CDBG FUNDS |
$ 120,000.00 |
ESG AWARDS: 2009-2010
| Agency |
Title/Description |
Award |
| Catholic Charites |
Teen Transitional Program |
$25,000.00 |
| YWCA |
Emergency Shelter Program |
$25,000.00 |
| |
TOTAL ESG FUNDS |
$50,000.00 |
Internal Support. The City's CDBG allocation also funds the administrative and program delivery costs of several departments dedicated to neighborhood revitalization, including Code Enforcement, Economic Development, Engineering, and Planning, Housing and Community Development. These costs include employee salaries and benefits, as well as financial/accounting/legal services, equipment, and supplies.
UPDATED: June 12, 2010
