DHCR Announces Availability Of Strategic Planning Funds

ALBANY, NY (10/15/2008)(readMedia)-- Deborah VanAmerongen, commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), today announced the availability of $500,000 in NYS Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) funding to help municipalities with community planning.

Eligible non-entitlement cities, towns, villages, and counties in New York State can receive up to $25,000 to identify community development challenges and needs and establish a strategy to address them.

Funding is available through NYS CDBG Community Planning Program and is administered through DHCR's Office of Community Renewal (OCR). The application kit is available on the OCR website, www.nysocr.org or at the Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 9th Floor, Albany, NY 12207. For questions regarding the Community Planning Program, please contact 518-474-2057.

Commissioner VanAmerongen said, "These grants can help municipalities take the all-important first step in prioritizing and addressing the most pressing needs in their communities."

Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered no later than November 21, 2008. If hand-delivered, applications must be received by OCR no later than 4:00 p.m.

DHCR HOLDING APPLICATION WORKSHOPS

Additionally DHCR is sponsoring 2009 Grant Application & Program Administration workshops across the state, which are designed to help municipalities interested in applying for NYS CDBG and Main Street grants.

To date, workshops have been held in Lake Placid, Tarrytown and Syracuse with great success. A workshop in Buffalo is being held today, October 15, and upcoming workshops are scheduled for October 17th at the Hilton Garden Inn, Elmira and October 23rd at Hilton Garden Inn, Albany University Heights, Albany. Please contact DHCR's Office of Community Renewal to RSVP at 518-474-2057.

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