Welcome to Community Development
Office Information
| City Hall Third Floor 317 E. Church Street Elmira, New York 14901 |
Regular Office Hours M-F: 8:30am to 4:30pm Except Holidays - Handicap Accessible |
Tel: (607)737-5691 Fax: (607)737-5696 |
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 and 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 on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status under the Federal Fair Housing Act. In addition to the classifications covered under federal law, the City recognizes the following protected classes which are also covered under New York State Human Rights Law: age, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or conviction record, or predisposing genetic characteristics.Hearing impaired persons can reach this office through the New York Relay Center at 1-800-662-1220.
Community Development Staff Directory
Emma Miran - Director
Missie Grover - Finance Director
Suzanne Rundell - Grant Administrator
Mitra Pratt - Program Manager
Linda Sowers - Program Coordinator
Lawrence Bocage - Inspector
Current Information
Notice of Public Hearing Seeking Input on the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan
The City of Elmira is seeking written and oral comments from citizens and interested agencies at a public hearing to be held on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. The public hearing will be held at City Hall, 317 E. Church Street, Elmira, NY, City Council Chambers (2nd floor) which is a handicapped accessible location.
City of Elmira to obtain public input on community development priorities through public meetings and survey
The City of Elmira’s Department of Community Development is in the process of developing its 2020 Five Year Consolidated Plan for the use of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds. The Plan will identify the City’s priorities for allocating these federal grant funds to housing and community needs and priorities for the time period covering July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024.
Public participation is very important in helping the City plan for how CDBG and HOME funds will be expended, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that the City encourage public participation throughout this process and emphasizes involvement opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons.
The City is looking to receive input from city residents and supportive agencies in order to gain an understanding and develop a plan that addresses the community’s priorities.
The following three community meetings have been scheduled for January:
- Tuesday, January 14th, Noon-1:00 pm at Steel Memorial Library, 101 E Church St
- Wednesday, January 22nd, 6:00-7:00 pm at Southside Community Center, 215 Partridge St.
- Thursday, January 30th, 6:00- 7:00 pm at Elmira Regional Public Safety Training Center (Pulaski Park), 311 W. Center Street
A community needs survey can be accessed by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TZK7HB2 and completing it online or contacting the Department of Community Development at 737-5691 for a hard copy of the survey. Survey responses will be collected from January 7, 2020 to January 31, 2020.
Please contact, Emma Miran, Director of Community Development, at emiran@cityofelmira.net or call 737-5691
Notice of Availability of 2020 CDBG and HOME Funds
The City of Elmira is seeking proposals from organizations for three grants programs: HOME funds (affordable housing projects); Public Services; Capital Improvements. The funds are for programs that promote community development, revitalize cities, reverse urban decay, promote housing rehabilitation, and stimulate economic growth in an effort to turn around distressed cities. All public service projects must meet at a minimum, one of the following National Statutory objectives of the CDBG Program: 1. Benefit low to moderate income persons or persons residing in a household whose income does not exceed 80% of the median family income for the area; 2. Aid in the prevention or elimination of slum and blight; 3. Meet an urgent need that poses a serious and immediate threat to the health and welfare of the community. A grant technical assistance workshop will be held on Friday, January 31, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Third Floor Law Library (317 E. Church Street, Elmira).
The application deadline is Monday, March 2, 2020 at 4: 00p.m
2020 CDBG Capital Projects Application
2020 CDBG Public Services Grant Application
2020 CHDO/HOME Application
City of Elmira Low-Moderate Income Map
Please follow the link https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/19/basically-cdbg-training-guidebook-and-slides/ to CDBG Basic Training Manual that outlines eligible and ineligible items under the different categories.
https://www.hudexchange.info/trainings/courses/building-home-chdos/
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/affordablehousing/programs/home/
If you have any questions about your eligibly for this program or would like to discuss your application, you may contact Emma Miran at 737-5691 or send an email to emiran@cityofelmira.net
Subject to funding availability, the City of Elmira offers low to moderate income individuals or families grants and loans to make home improvements. Funding for the City’s housing programs is provided through the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs and through New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The City of Elmira is particularly interested in making homes lead safe and energy efficient. For more information about these programs and to make an appointment, please call the Department of Community Development at (607) 737-5695.
| Family Size | Income Limit |
| 1 | $41,450 |
| 2 | $47,400 |
| 3 | $53,300 |
| 4 | $59,200 |
| 5 | $63,950 |
| 6 | $68,700 |
| 7 | $73,450 |
| 8 | $78,150 |
*Income Limits are set annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These limits are effective April 24, 2019.
The City of Elmira encourages the use of minority and women owned businesses (MWBEs). The Department of Community Development is always looking to add certified and insured MWBEs to our list of contractors which is provided to homeowners who participate in our housing rehabilitation programs.
For more information on how to obtain certification as a MWBE, please visit the New York State Division of Minority & Women Owned Business Development website at http://www.nylovesbiz.com/MWBE.html.
The City of Elmira contracts with Southern Tier Economic Growth (STEG) to administer a Commercial Loan Program and to concentrate on business recruitment and retention. New or expanding businesses are encouraged to call STEG at (607)733-6513.
STEG Website
Community Development Block Grant funds help support the operations of public service activities such as youth programs, public safety, programs for senior citizens, homeless persons, and fair housing initiatives to name a few. Every January, the City of Elmira seeks CDBG funding applications from non-profit organizations.
This program is designed to assist income eligible, low to moderate income individuals or families with down payment and closing cost assistance in purchasing their first home in the City of Elmira by offering a grant in the amount of $8,000 that is forgiven after five years. The City of Elmira contracts with Catholic Charities to administer this program. For more information contact Catholic Charities at (607)734-9784 x2132.
Link to Catholic Charities