DHCR Streamlines Community Revitalization Programs

ALBANY, NY (05/02/2008)(readMedia)-- Deborah VanAmerongen, Commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) today announced several changes in the mission and responsibilities of the Office For Small Cities (OFSC) that will help make the state's community development and revitalization efforts more effective.

OFSC, which has administered New York State's federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program since 2000, will now also manage the New York Main Street program. To reflect the additional duties, the name of the agency will be changed to the Office of Community Renewal, and it will be completely integrated into DHCR.

Commissioner VanAmerongen said "By bringing Main Street under the same roof as the CDBG program, we are providing local municipalities with 'one stop shopping' to more fully and efficiently address their community development needs. This will help us to cut bureaucracy and streamline the program processes, reducing costs for the state, for local governments and for the business community."

Daniel Gundersen, Upstate Chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation, said: “This new configuration will assist in the revitalization of our unique communities and is a prime example of New York State working to best meet the needs of its constituents. I commend Governor Paterson for streamlining these operations to ensure all New Yorkers a great quality of life and economic vitality in their local municipalities.”

VanAmerongen said Joe Rabito, who served as Director of the Office for Small Cities, will become the DHCR's deputy commissioner for the Office of Community Renewal.

Cortland Mayor Tom Gallagher said the realignment "is great news for upstate cities that are trying to revitalize their downtown business districts, create and attract new jobs and strengthen their local economies." The City of Cortland has experienced a downtown renaissance, thanks in part to facade and interior improvements funded by the CDBG and Main Street programs.

Peter Baynes, executive director of the New York Conference of Mayors, (NYCOM) said, ”Both the CDBG and Main Street programs are powerful tools for economic development. Better coordination between the two programs will allow the state to have a greater and more positive impact on local communities all across New York.”

Blair Sebastian, executive director of the NYS Rural Housing Coalition, said “The CDBG program is a critically important resource for New York’s rural communities, particularly for the revitalization of downtowns of villages and hamlets that have suffered so much disinvestment over recent decades. We think that increased coordination between the CDBG program and the New York Main Street program presents a wonderful opportunity to improve the overall effectiveness of both of these programs. We look forward to working the Office of Community Renewal staff as we all strive to improve the delivery of these much-needed resources to every corner of our state.“

The New York Main Street program provides financial resources and technical assistance to revitalize the State's traditional Main Streets and neighborhoods. The 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.

CDBG funding is provided by the Federal government but has been administered by New York State since 2000. It is targeted to cities, towns, and villages with populations of less than 50,000 and certain counties with populations of less than 200,000. The grants help develop viable communities by providing decent, affordable housing and suitable living environments, as well as, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.

-30-