Schumer Announces Niagra Falls Set to Receive Over $2.6 Million for Community Development and Affordable Housing

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Niagara Falls is set to receive $2,121,101 investment from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through Community Development Block Grant funding, and a $198,056 Emergency Shelter Grant and a $347,028 HOME grant for affordable housing. Funds will be used to support affordable housing, emergency shelters and community development measures.

"Every New Yorker deserves a decent, clean and affordable place to live," Schumer said. "With housing costs on the rise, this program is essential to help hardworking families and seniors across Niagara Falls keep a roof over their heads. These grants will also improve Niagara Falls' infrastructure and public facilities to attract job-creating businesses and ensure the availability of affordable housing. I will continue to work to increase funding for housing opportunities across the City."

The CDBG program works to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities, and to create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses. CDBG is an important tool for helping local governments tackle serious challenges facing their communities. The CDBG program has made a difference in the lives of millions of people and their communities across the Nation.

CDBG funding plays an especially important role in Niagara Falls, helping to fund neighborhood improvements, demolition of dilapidated housing and façade improvements for downtown businesses. Additionally, CDBG funding helps support community programs like youth mentoring, and neighborhood police substations throughout the city.

"Annual HUD funds allow the City of Niagara Falls to make a wide range of important neighborhood investments, from demolition of blighted buildings to providing structured programming for our youth . We look forward to executing projects approved for 2012 HUD funding in the near future, and moving forward with the 2013 public participation process," said Mayor Paul Dyster.

Emergency Shelter funds may be used for renovation of emergency shelter facilities and the operation of those facilities, as well as services for the residents including case management, child care, education, employment assistance and job training, legal, mental health, substance abuse treatment, transportation, and services for special populations.

HOME grants are awarded each year to participating jurisdictions based on an allocation formula. States are automatically eligible for HOME funds. However, local jurisdictions must meet a minimum allocation threshold in order to be a participating jurisdiction. There are over 500 participating jurisdictions. Localities which do not receive a direct HOME allocation from HUD, may receive HOME funds through the State's HOME program.

Source