DHCR Announces Funding Availability for NYS CDBG and NY Main Street Programs

ALBANY, NY (01/26/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) has announced the availability of approximately $45 million in funding for the NYS Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) and New York Main Street (NYMS) programs.

Brian Lawlor, Acting Commissioner of DHCR, said "We have had tremendous success in every region of New York State creating jobs, providing affordable housing and revitalizing downtown business districts with our NYS CDBG and NY Main Street programs. The funds we are making available will help local governments and not-for-profits provide essential services and economic opportunities to the residents of New York State."

The NYS CDBG program provides financial assistance to eligible cities, towns, and villages with populations of less than 50,000 and counties with an area population under 200,000, in order to develop viable communities by providing decent, affordable housing and suitable living environments, as well as expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.

The program objectives are achieved by supporting activities or projects that: benefit low- and moderate-income families; create job opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons; prevent or eliminate slums and blight; or address a community development need that poses a serious and imminent threat to the community's health or welfare. CDBG funds are also used to finance critical infrastructure projects such as public water and sewer projects that protect public health and public facility projects such as day care centers, clinics, and senior centers.

Eligible applicants for the NY Main Street program include cities, towns, villages, and counties throughout New York State and non-profit organizations that are incorporated under the NYS Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. The New York Main Street program provides financial resources and technical assistance to communities to strengthen the economic vitality of the State's traditional Main Streets and neighborhoods. The NY Main Street grant program provides funds from the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) to business improvement districts and other not-for-profit organizations that are committed to revitalizing historic downtowns, mixed-use neighborhood commercial districts, and village centers.

NY Main Street funding may be used for building renovation projects, including facade renovations and interior rehabilitation, "Downtown Anchor" projects, to help establish or expand cultural or business anchors that are key to local revitalization efforts and, as an ancillary activity, streetscape enhancement to plant trees and other landscaping, install street furniture and trash cans in order to enhance the NYMS target area.

In 2008, DHCR integrated the New York Main Street program with the New York State Community Development Block Grant program to cut bureaucracy and make the programs more efficient and easier for communities to access. DHCR's new Office of Community Renewal oversees both programs. As a result, the agency has been better able to maximize resources to targeted communities. The agency received national recognition for its efforts from the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA) which gave its 2009 President's Award for Innovation to the New York Main Street Program for its "effective integration of programs and funding sources that address critical housing, community and economic development needs around the state."

Additional Application Information:

NYS CDBG Annual Competitive Round Program

The 2010 Annual Competitive Round Application will be available on the Office of Community Renewal's web site, www.nysdhcr.gov/AboutUs/Offices/CommunityRenewal on January 27, 2010.

Applications are due no later than April 23, 2010. Applications are to be mailed or hand-delivered to: Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, Albany, NY 12207. If mailed, applications must be postmarked no later than April 23, 2010. If hand-delivered, applications must be delivered by April 23, 2010 no later than 4:00 p.m.

NYS CDBG Open Round Economic Development Program

Applicants for the NYS CDBG Open Round Economic Development program must consult DHCR's Office of Community Renewal and complete a pre-submission form to determine if an economic development project, meets CDBG and OCR program requirements. Based upon the results of the initial inquiry, the applicant may be invited to submit an application for funding for the 2010 Program Year. Applicants may submit initial inquiries any time after January 27, 2010, when the initial inquiry form will be posted to the NYS OCR website, www.nysdhcr.gov/AboutUs/Offices/CommunityRenewal.

New York Main Street Program

Applications for the NY MS program will be available electronically on the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal's (DHCR) website, www.nysdhcr.gov on January 27, 2010. Applications should be submitted over the internet using the Community Development Online Application System, (CDOL). Applications are due no later than 4:00 PM on April 23, 2010. Applications received after the stated deadline will be considered late submissions and will be returned to the applicant.

Additional information and questions regarding the 2010 Annual Competitive Round, the Open Round Economic Development, or the New York Main Street program should be directed to OCR program staff at 518-474-2057.

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