Governor Paterson Announces More Than $30 Million for Community Development and Main Street Revitalization

ALBANY, NY (08/28/2009)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today announced $34.7 million in grants that will help expand affordable housing, revitalize New York's Main Streets, and modernize local infrastructure. The awards, which are financed through the New York State Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) and New York Main Street (NYMS) programs, are also expected to attract $48 million in additional investment to local communities.

"These grants will make a difference in urban and rural communities across New York. Neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block, the Community Development Block Grant and New York Main Street programs will further local development so that our communities thrive," Governor Paterson said. "Improving and upgrading infrastructure, revitalizing traditional downtown business districts, and rehabilitating and renovating housing for working families will provide much-needed investment and make New York a better place to live, work and raise a family."

The 68 NYS CDBG grants total $29.4 million for communities across the State to help address a range of development needs, including rehabilitating housing, improving and upgrading public water and sewer systems and increasing home ownership opportunities. These awards are expected to leverage an additional $18.9 million in local investment. The Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) administers the federally funded program, which makes approximately $50 million available annually to eligible communities.

The 26 NYMS awards total more than $5 million and will support eligible not-for-profit organizations engaged in local community revitalization. NYMS is administered by DHCR and seeks to assist communities in their Main Street or downtown revitalization efforts. The program provides funds to carry out local projects or programs that can effectively stimulate reinvestment in properties located within mixed-use commercial districts, neighborhoods and on New York's historic Main Streets.

The grants announced today will help fund:

Community Revitalization - NYS CDBG grants will help communities make critical infrastructure improvements, directly benefiting more than 43,352 low and moderate income New Yorkers. NYMS funds will be used to renovate 141 building facades, beautify 22 streetscapes with trees, ornamental paving, benches and other enhancements and rehabilitate 147 commercial units.

Affordable Housing - NYS CDBG awards will rehabilitate 931 units of affordable housing, and the NYMS awards will renovate 151 units, for a total of 1,082 units. Additionally, the NYS CDBG program will provide funds for nine home ownership programs, helping 189 working families purchase their own homes.

DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said: "The impact that the NYS CDBG and NYMS programs make around the state is direct and noticeable. By preserving and beautifying New York's historic buildings and downtown business districts and rehabilitating aging housing stock, we can attract the jobs people need, the housing families can afford, and leverage additional investments that reinvigorate and revitalize communities for New York's working families."

Both the NYS CDBG and NYMS program awards are approved by the State's Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC), which is chaired by DHCR Commissioner VanAmerongen and administered by DHCR staff. A complete list of the awards is available at the DHCR website: www.nysdhcr.gov.

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The following statements were given in support of the NYS CDBG and NYMS awards:

Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: "This is the right investment for New York. These investments will help more New York families afford a good home, make critical infrastructure upgrades, revitalize communities across the state and help rebuild our economy. I will continue working with Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer and the entire Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government."

Congresswoman Nita Lowey said: "This critical federal investment will expand affordable housing, improve infrastructure, and revitalize our neighborhoods. It will also leverage private funding that will increase its impact. I fought for investing in the Community Development Block Grant program in the federal stimulus because it delivers tangible results to urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout our state and around the nation."

Congressman Scott Murphy said: "These community development grants are a great investment in the future of the 20th District. As we work to create jobs and to attract small businesses in Upstate New York, these grants will help place our region on a 21st century footing. Not only will this funding provide investments in much needed housing rehabilitation and infrastructure improvements, it will attract further investments to the 20th District by revitalizing our communities."

Senate President Pro Tem Malcolm A. Smith said: "These important economic development grants will rehabilitate affordable housing and revitalize urban and rural community centers. The Main Street and Community Development Block Grant program has been very successful, creating jobs and giving New Yorkers a new sense of pride as local buildings and streets come back to life. I commend Senator David Valesky for being a strong advocate of this initiative in the Senate, and Governor Paterson for partnering with us on this effort and his continued support of sensible redevelopment programs."

Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. said: "This funding demonstrates the continued commitment by Gov. Paterson to affordable housing and economic recovery for communities throughout the state. These funds will have wide-reaching implications in that they will provide much-needed affordable housing, create new jobs, generate business for local companies, pump revenue into local economies and place the state on the fast track to economic recovery."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: "For decades many cities and towns throughout New York have languished in part because of a lack of investment in maintaining business districts and providing affordable housing. These block grants will help beautify business districts and create homeownership opportunities that in turn will help revitalize communities. In the midst of this challenging economic climate, it is very important that we encourage the creation of affordable housing for working families and support small businesses because they are an essential element of our economy. I also want to recognize Assemblyman Sam Hoyt for his support of initiatives aimed at revitalizing distressed communities in New York."

Assemblyman Vito Lopez said: "This $35 million investment by New York is a bold and multi-faceted approach to revitalizing communities by providing affordable housing and funds to improve business districts, which are the lifeblood of local economies. Despite the toughest recession in seven decades, New York remains committed to energizing its communities through historic investments such as these. In the long run, they will attract millions more in private investment and provide a much-needed boost to the state's economy. I thank Governor Paterson and Commissioner VanAmerongen for supporting these community development programs."

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