Community Development

Changing Elmira Neighborhoods, one home at a time

Office Information

City Hall Third Floor 317 E. Church Street Elmira, New York 14901 »Show map to City Hall »Show map of Third Floor Tel: (607)737-5691 Fax: (607)737-5696

Regular Office Hours M-F: 8:30am to 4:30pm Except Holidays Handicap Accessible Email Community Development

The Department of Community Development administers the federal Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Grant for the City of Elmira. An annual entitlement of Community Development Block Grant/ HOME funds are received to promote development in City neighborhoods, which include programs that address housing, economic and human service needs of low and moderate income residents and neighborhoods.

The City of Elmira envisions a Community Development Program that provides residents with a high quality of life in neighborhoods which are safe, clean and friendly. The focus of the Department is on providing a healthy supply of affordable, accessible and decent housing for low and moderate income homeowners and renters. The City's vision also includes investing in community and economic development projects that will revitalize and enhance our local commercial and industrial economy. The Department works with many agencies and operates several programs to accomplish this goal.

The City of Elmira's Community Development Office is committed to prohibiting discrimination because of ethnicity, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin. Hearing impaired persons can reach this office through the New York Relay Center at 1-800-662-1220.

Consolidated Plan

The Consolidated Plan identifies the priorities of the community in spending the Community Development Block Grant funds received from the Federal government. During the next 5 years, the City of Elmira anticipates receiving between $7 million and $10 million dollars.

This is the City of Elmira's first year action plan of a 5 year Strategic Plan that identifies activities we will undertake in 2005/2006 to address priority needs in the community. The plan describes the resources available, the programs, and projects to be funded, and the proposed accomplishments for the 2005/2006 fiscal year.
»View the First Year Action Plan of the Consolidated Plan

In February and March of 2005, the Office of Community Development conducted a survey of residents and non-residents to determine the priorities of the CDBG funding to prepare the 5 Year Strategic Plan.
»Consolidated Plan Survey Results

Adopted Annual Plan 2008-2009

The City of Elmira Department of Community Development is in the process of completing the Annual Plan which must be submitted to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is a required as an entitlement community under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Programs.

The City of Elmira will be receiving $1,350,663 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for its Fiscal Year 2008/2009 Community Development Block Grant Program and an additional sum of $281,000 in program income is anticipated to be collected for a total of $1,631,663. An aditional allocation of Federal HOME Funds in the amount of $354,030 will be received. The purpose of the CDBG Program is to promote sound community development, revitalize cities, reverse urban decay, promote housing rehabilitation and stimulate economic growth.

»Click here for the Proposed 2008-2009 CDBG/HOME Budget

Owner Occupied Grant/Loan Programs

Grants:

The owner occupied grant program provides deferred grants of up to $15,000 in rehabilitation funds to elderly or disabled income eligible persons who own and occupy property in the City of Elmira which contain 1-4 dwelling units. Applicants must be at least 60 years of age or disabled and spend at least 20% of their income on housing expenses. The Grant program will provide these funds at no cost to the homeowner, however, the owner must live in the property until the grant is forgiven at the rate of $1,500 each year. A lien on the property will secure compliance in the program.

»Click here for a brochure for Home Repair Programs
»Click here to complete an application for grant/loan

Loans:

The owner occupied loan program offers loans up to $10,000 in rehabilitation funds to homeowners who own and occupy a 1-4 dwelling property. The program is based on gross annual income and family size and provides a 0% or 3% interest rate loan which is determined by the family size and income. The loan must be repaid and is secured by a lien for the life of the loan.

Income Limits for Grants - 2008*

Family size	Annual income can't exceed
1	$18,450
2	$21,100
3	$23,700
4	$26,350

Income Limits for Low Interest Loans - 2008*

Family size	Annual income can't exceed
	0% loan	3% loan
1	$18,450	$29,500
2	$21,100	$33,700
3	$23,700	$37,950
4	$26,350	$42,150
5	$28,450	$45,500
6	$30,550	$48,900

*Income Limits are set annually by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development

»Click here for a brochure for Home Repair Programs
»Click here to complete an application for grant/loan

You will be required to make an appointment to bring in the completed application and following documentation:

• deed to your property
• land contract if the seller agrees to sign lien
• homeowners insurance policy (declaration page)
• latest income tax return (along with W-2 forms)
• property tax receipts for the current year
• verification of all income
• mortgage statement
• most recent checking & savings account statement(s)
  
  Call (607) 737-5691 for an appointment
  

First Time Homebuyer Program

This program is designed to assist low to moderate income families with down payment and closing cost assistance in purchasing their first home.

This program offers a grant in the amount of $10,000 to income eligible first time homebuyers to use toward down payment and closing costs. The grant is forgiven at a rate of $1,000 each year so long as the property owner continues to own and occupy the residence. The homebuyer is responsible for providing a minimum down payment match of $500 or $800.

The applicant must apply, pre-qualify, and attend homebuyers workshops at Catholic Charities of the Southern Tier.

All properties must meet Housing Quality Standards to be eligible.

For more information on programs contact:
»Community Development at (607) 737-5691
»Catholic Charities at (607) 734-9784 x132 or x133

Public Services and Community Programs

Community Development Block Grant Funds support the operations of public services activities such as child care, health care, job training, recreation programs, education programs, public safety services, services for seniors, homeless persons and fair housing initiatives.

The City of Elmira funds the operations of the following local programs:

• Catholic Charities of the Southern Tier - The City provides funding for Catholic Charities for the administration of the Homeownership Counseling and First Time Homebuyer Program. Catholic Charities staff conducts pre- and post- purchase counseling necessary to ensure an easy transition to homeownership. Interested homebuyers must attend a minimum of two four-hour workshops which provide guidance on credit, dealing with a realtor, selecting an appropriate home, making a purchase offer, working with lenders, and knowledge about interest rates and terms.. After closing, the homeowners must attend a minimum of twelve New Homeowner Association meetings during a twenty-four month period in order to qualify for the deferment of their home purchase grant. These meetings continue the education process by discussing issues such as: home maintenance, assessment and taxes, community involvement, maintaining a good credit rating, refinancing, etc
  
  
• Southside Community Center - is one of the primary organizations on the southside of Elmira that provides structured enrichment programs where youth can comfortably and safely congregate and take part in a myriad of activities after school and evenings. The Center also provides educational, leadership and counseling programs to youth.
  
  
• Ernie Davis Community Center - provides a safe, structured environment for children and youth of the community, particularly on the eastside of the City. Youth participate in a variety of events at the Center including, but not limited to: martial arts classes; substance abuse prevention programs; team sports; tutoring; special cultural and holiday events; exercise programs; weight lifting; dances; and nutrition classes.
  
  
• The Senior Center - provides social, recreational, educational, and cultural activities to individuals 55 years of age or older. Its location in the basement of St. Joseph's Apartments places it squarely in an area of the City highly populated by low income seniors.
  
  
• Court appointed Special Advocates (CASA) - an organization which relies heavily on trained volunteers to provide advocacy services to neglected and abused children who are involved in the Family Court System. Child abuse/neglect cases in Chemung County is ranked the second highest in New York State, exceeded only by NYC. The volunteers are assigned to research cases and make written and verbal recommendations to the Court System on the best outcome for the children affected.
  
  
• and several more including Glove House, Elmira Downtown Development, , the John W. Jones Museum, Friends of Woodlawn Cemetery, etc.

Spending priorities are determined by the City of Elmira via the Elmira City Council, however, projects must be consistent with the City's Strategic Plan and meet HUD's National Statutory Objectives.

Get the Lead Out - Home Remediation Program

Lead exposure in children is a major public health concern and constant exposure can cause many health problems in children of all ages. These problems can affect your child throughout their lifetime. Lead is heavy metal found in paint used on the interior and exterior of many homes built prior to 1978. It can also be found in dust, dirt and in other materials.

The City of Elmira, Department of Community Development, in cooperation with the Chemung County Health Department, was awarded $1,500,000 to educate parents, and assist homeowners/landlords about how to "Get the Lead Out". Funds were made available through the State Attorney General's Office as a special condition of a conditional discharge arising from the prosecution of McWane, Inc. Kennedy Valve to reduce childhood lead exposure in Chemung County.

Listed below are the efforts taken to fight lead exposure in our community:

• Public education campaign using media and educational materials to make the public aware of the lead hazards, the need for testing and that financial assistance is available.
  
  
• Laboratory blood testing for children is now provided by private physician's offices (as well as by the Chemung County Health Department). Automated blood testing equipment is provided to physicians at no cost. For information on testing your child for lead, click here for the Chemung County Health Department.
  
  
• Environmental testing of homes and day care centers is offered free by the Chemung County Environmental Health Services utilizing an x-ray fluorescence unit and trained staff to perform free testing of properties for lead contamination. For information on testing your home for lead, click here for the Chemung County Health Department.
  
  
• The City’s Department of Community Development is providing financial assistance to eligible property owners to correct hazardous conditions through grant and loan programs.

Please join us in making Chemung County a lead safe environment for our families.

For more information about the program, please contact Rebecca Wheeler in the Department of Community Development at (607) 737-5695.
»Click here for the brochure on the Home Remediation Program
»Send email to Rebecca Wheeler

Commitment to Energy Efficiency

The City of Elmira encourages citizens to take a pledge to be more energy efficient in the home. Click below to take the pledge and receive energy saving tips by email:

"I pledge to do my part to save energy and the environment by becoming more energy efficient in my home."

Community Development assists residents and homeowners in making their home more energy efficient. Residents of the City of Elmira can obtain a free compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) by contacting the Near Westside Neighborhood Association (must show proof of City residency). Community Development also provides rehab loans/grants to qualified individuals for energy conservation renovations. Additionally, all appliances purchased and installed through any of Community Development's programs are Energy Star rated.
»Contact Near Westside Neighborhood Association for a free CFL light bulb
»Inquire about loans/grants for energy conservation renovations
»Tips for making your home more energy efficient

Community Development Block Grant Funding

The City of Elmira's annual entitlement for Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Program funds are the primary sources of funding for housing and community development projects in the City. The programs share the same goal of providing decent housing, creating a suitable living environment and expanding economic development opportunities for low income people.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented the Consolidated Planning Process which allows the City of Elmira a better way to shape programs by developing partnerships with citizens and community leaders to establish a coordinated future direction for the City as a whole. Through this process, a Strategic plan was developed to establish the needs, priorities, objectives for housing and economic development. The Strategic plan is used in determining funding priorities.

Applications for Community Development Block Grant Funds are generally accepted in February of each year and submitted with the Annual Plan to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on or before May 30th . Not-for-profit agencies are encouraged to apply if they meet a HUD National Objective and a priority from the Strategic Plan.