HUD Programs 2008-2009

Each year, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates the City critical funding for community development, from infrastructure improvements, to demolishing blighted properties, to assisting with housing repairs, to homeless services.The three programs supported by these funds are the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), and the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), each of which were created in 1974. 

Since 2003, Binghamton’s annual CDBG allocation has been reduced by 20%, HOME funds have dropped 13.1%, and Mayor Ryan has joined the U.S. Conference of Mayors in calling for funding to be restored. During this period, ESG funds have stayed relatively steady.

See below for a breakdown of the City's 2008/2009 HUD funding, and read further for an explanation of how the City programmed its 2009 HUD allocations. Finally, at the bottom of the page, please see how Mayor Ryan has sought to restore fiscal balance betweent the HUD program budgets and the City's other budgetary structures.

NOTE: The City's HUD programs have been supplemented by the grants the City has obtained through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009.

CDBG                                                $2,301,034
HOME Program                                     $684,078
Emergency Shelter Grant Program          $392,442

Community Development Block Grant Highlights 2008-2009

Since its enactment, the Community Development Block Grant program has served as a vital resource to help municipalities meet their unique community development, affordable housing, and economic development needs, while limiting local property taxes. As the US Conference of Mayors has stated, "No other federal-local government program has been as successful as CDBG."

As with other cities, CDBG is central to Binghamton’s current development efforts. Mayor Ryan has utilized the funds to drive his Restore NY programs, Blight Prevention Initiative, commercial loan programs, as well as a host of other vital projects, initiatives and services. Through all these efforts, the City has used the block grant to leverage additional investment, and to restore balance across its budget structures. To ensure community-wide development, CDBG funds must be used in designated low/moderate income areas.

Please read on to learn more about the City of Binghamton’s 2008-2009 Community Development Block Grant, which Mayor Ryan introduced last May, and City Council passed last July. 

Housing Activities

The City offers effective housing activities to sustain and revitalize neighborhoods. These programs include:

• Investor Owner Program
• First Time Homebuyer
• Curb Appeal Program

For these efforts in 2008/2009, the City will use funds from CDBG, HOME, the New York Affordable Housing Corporation, and the Restore NY program. (Click this link to learn about Restore NY Round.)

Demolition

The block grant 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.

Code Enforcement

The City will also use the block grant to fund the salary, benefits, and supplies for four Code Enforcement officers and one Vacant Property Officer. These officers are central to the City's 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 continue a robust Capital Improvement Plan, which includes milling and paving several major streets, and bringing several parks into ADA compliance. For an idea of the what the 2009 Capital Improvement Plan will include, please see the 2008 Streets Program dedicated page. 

Neighoborhood Development Project Fund

The Neighborhood Development Project Fund seeks to fulfill Mayor Ryan's pledge of providing engaged residents a more direct role in determining how community dollars are invested in their neighborhood. Funded by the Community Development Block Grant, the NDPF offers small community improvement grants to local residents and organizations. Residents can seek up to $2,000, while human service agencies can apply for up to $10,000.

The City allocated $70,000 to the NDPF's first year, 2007/2008, and $80,000 for 2008/2009. Last April the Mayor announced the first 15 NDPF grants,and the City anticipates announcing the second round of grants in the coming month.

For more information on the Neighborhood Development Project Fund, please visit our dedicated page or contact Neighborhood Services Representative Daphne Gathers at 772-7028 or email drgathers@cityofbinghamton.com.

 Recycling Enhancement Program

The Recycling Enhancement Program promotes recycling and all its related benefits, which include cleaner neighborhoods, lowered costs for personal garbage disposal, reduced tipping fees for the City, less greenhouse gases, a healthier natural environment, and a better overall quality of life.  The program includes three components:

• New Recycling Receptacles: More than 40 new blue recycling receptacles placed along the Court/Main Street corridor (see map of bin placement)
• Youth Recycling Educators: Coordinated by the City Youth Bureau and paid a small wage, local youth are learning about recycling, sharing this information with residents, and distributing recycling bins to those who do not already have them.
• Public Service Announcements: Local youth are also producing a recycling PSA for broadcast on local news channels.

Economic Development: Revolving Loan Fund

The block grant also funds the Binghamton Local Development Corporation's 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. 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.

Public Human Services

The CDBG funds local public services such as daycare, eldercare, recreation, and counseling programs.

Internal Support

The City's CDBG allocation also funds the administrative costs of several departments dedicated to neighborhood revitalization, including Code Enforcement, Economic Development, and Planning, Housing and Community Development. These costs include employee salaries and benefits, as well as financial/accounting services and equipment supplies.

HOME Program Highlights 2008-2009

This year's Home Program provides deferred loan funding to assist in single family housing rehabilitation, while including a 15% set aside for the assisting Community Housing Development Organization and 10% for program delivery costs.

Emergency Shelter Grant Highlights 2008-2009

With funds from the Emergency Shelter Grant, the City assists local organizations address homelessness through the following services:

• Operation and maintenance of homeless services
• Renovation, rehabilitation, or conversion of homeless shelters
• Homelessness prevention
• Administration

Restoring Fiscal Balance

Mayor Ryan has prioritized smart fiscal management from the start, and in this effort he has sought to restore balance to the City's budget structures, which include the General Fund, Enterprise Funds, and CDBG/HUD funds. Since 2007, the City has removed from the block grant six positions better suited for the General Fund, freeing up dollars for activities more closely aligned with the block grant's mission.

Some of these dollars have gone to two new positions whose duties are fundamental to the City's neighborhood revitalization initiatives. The Sustainable Development Planner coordinates the City's efforts to "go green" and promote green practices, which will help beautify neighborhoods, clean the naturual environment, save money for residents and the City, boost market values, and promote economic development. The Neighborhood Services Representative coordinates the City's community engagement initiatives, including the Binghamton Neighborhood Assemblies Project.  

Positions Removed Since 2007              Positions Added Since 2007
Dog Warden                                          Sustainable Development Planner
Zoning Officer                                       Vacant Property Officer
Police Officers (4)

Page last updated July 1, 2009.

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