Governor Paterson Announces More than $42 Million in Awards to Create Jobs, Revitalize Communities and Renovate Affordable Housing

Press Release

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $42 MILLION IN AWARDS TO CREATE JOBS, REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES AND RENOVATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Grants Will Leverage $70 Million in Additional Resources

Governor David A. Paterson announced more than $42 million was approved by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). The awards will be used to create and retain more than 400 jobs, revitalize communities across the State and renovate nearly 1,000 units of affordable housing.

The awards, funded through the New York State Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) and NY Main Street programs will assist every region of the State. The entire list of awards can be found at the DHCR website: www.nysdhcr.gov. Nearly $34 million of funding comes from the Federal Community Development Block Grant program. More than $8 million in additional funding comes from NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation, which is funded from fees earned by the State's Housing Trust Fund for administering other federal programs.

"These grants will create jobs and revitalize urban business districts, and they will help rural communities make critical infrastructure repairs and upgrades," said Governor Paterson. "These grants bring us closer to our goal of making New York the best possible place to live, work and raise a family."

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: "These funds are a vital shot in the arm that will help communities all over New York create jobs, expand affordable housing, and rebuild their Main Streets. Governor Paterson's focus on improving each and every one of our communities is paying off. Investing in people and their communities is always a smart move."

Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said: "These investments are critically important to help revitalize downtown business districts, create jobs and help families afford quality housing. They come at a critical time when so many New Yorkers are facing difficult times affording the rising costs of gas and food, and are struggling to keep their homes and provide for their families."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: "Today's grants represent a critical investment in housing and commercial real estate stock in our communities. By rehabilitating and refurbishing existing commercial structures through the NY Main Street program, we can revitalize urban business districts in need of improvement throughout the State. These grants will also help to provide crucial affordable housing for working families while invigorating communities. We applaud Governor Paterson for his leadership in helping to revive communities across New York."

Senate Minority Leader Malcolm A. Smith said: "The awards demonstrate Governor Paterson's unwavering commitment to create jobs and affordable housing to ensure that New York remains a place where all New Yorkers can live work and thrive. Revitalizing urban areas will create even more quality of life opportunities, which is very important to the future of New York State."

Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco said: "For years, my Assembly Republican colleagues and I have been leading the charge to improve New York's business and residential communities, create jobs and otherwise rejuvenate our lagging economy. The grants we are announcing today will go a long way toward revitalizing both urban and rural communities and offering a better quality of life to all our State's residents. I applaud Governor Paterson and Commissioner VanAmerongen for making this critical funding available."

Senator John J. Bonacic, Chair of the Senate Housing Committee, said: "The need for affordable housing in New York is insatiable. I am pleased to work with Governor Paterson, who has made this issue, as well as job creation and main street revitalization priorities. Investing in affordable housing, job creation, and revitalizing our main streets improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers. We need diverse and stable communities and renovating existing housing stock, building new housing, and enhancing our business districts will help to meet that need, as well as create much-needed jobs."

Assemblyman Vito J. Lopez, Chair of the Assembly Housing Committee, said: "The community development grants announced today will help to rehabilitate and renovate hundreds of much-needed affordable housing units in our state. Affordable housing is the backbone to the rebirth of our struggling communities. With this investment, Governor Paterson and Commissioner VanAmerongen demonstrate their dedication to revitalizing our cities, towns and villages."

Senator Liz Krueger said: "I am pleased that the Paterson Administration is taking such a proactive approach to New York State's affordable housing crisis. These awards will help address the State's desperate need for quality affordable housing which is essential to the revitalization of New York's communities."

Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick said: "Through these grants, Governor Paterson continues to focus on the fundamentals of what makes strong communities. Housing rehabilitation and downtown community revitalization are integral components to economic development and rehabilitation. Again, I would like to thank Governor Paterson for his strong leadership in this area."

DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said: "The grants awarded today will help local communities and not-for-profit agencies leverage $70 million in additional resources. They will help rehabilitate more than 950 units of affordable housing and revitalize communities in every part of the State."

Grants from the NYS CDBG and NY Main Street programs will help fund:

o Community Revitalization - NY Main Street awards will be used to revitalize the State's traditional downtown business districts that have fallen into disrepair. NY Main Street grants will renovate 341 building facades, beautify 34 streetscapes with trees, ornamental paving, benches and other enhancements, and rehabilitate 215 commercial units. NYS CDBG grants will help communities make critical infrastructure improvements, directly benefiting more than 85,000 low and moderate income New Yorkers.
o Affordable Housing - NYS CDBG awards will rehabilitate 719 units of affordable housing, and the NY Main Street awards will renovate 244 units, a total of 963 units. Additionally, the NYS CDBG program will provide funds for five homeownership programs, helping 164 working families purchase their own homes.

o Business Growth and Job Creation - The NYS CDBG grants will help businesses create or retain 431 jobs and will provide funds to support 24 small business enterprises, helping them to grow and prosper.

The NY Main Street program provides financial resources and technical assistance to communities to strengthen the State's traditional Main Streets and neighborhoods. Grants are provided to business improvement districts and other not-for-profit organizations for building renovations, facade and streetscape improvements and, in limited cases, capital funding for projects intended to anchor downtown districts. The program also provides technical assistance and other resources to support community revitalization efforts.

The NYS CDBG program is federally funded but administered by DHCR through its Office of Community Renewal. The NYS CDBG Program provides grants to smaller communities in order to: ensure decent, affordable housing; provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities; create jobs and expand business opportunities for implementing a variety of community and economic programs and to provide improved community facilities and services.

Grants from the NYS CDBG and NY Main Street programs are approved by the State's Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC), which is chaired by DHCR Commissioner VanAmerongen and administered by DHCR staff.

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