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
Amanda Wandell - Finance Director
Michael Rangstrom - Program Manager
Linda Sowers - Program Coordinator
Molly Clune - Grant Administrator
Lawrence Bocage - Inspector
Current Information
The City of Elmira has prepared the Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This report outlines the activities funded with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership funds for the time period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
A public comment period on the draft CAPER will be held from August 14th until September 14th 2023. A public hearing will be held on Monday, August 28st 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, City Council Chambers, Second Floor. Those interested in viewing the draft should visit the City’s website at City of Elmira draft CAPER. A copy of the draft is also available for review at the Steele Memorial Library, 101 East Church Street, Elmira, NY or the City of Elmira Community Development office, 317 East Church Street, third floor, Elmira, NY. Both locations are handicap accessible. Homebound persons can contact City of Elmira, Community Development at (607) 737-5691 to request a copy of the report. Hearing impaired persons can reach this office through New York State Relay Center at 1-800-662-1220. Written comments may be received until September 14th, 2023, 4:30PM and should be mailed: Attn: Emma Miran, Director of Community Development, 317 E. Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901 or emailed to emiran@cityofelmira.net
City of Elmira - Low-Mod Income Areas
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.
For program year 2023-2024, the City of Elmira is allocating funds for a public service providers within in the City of Elmira. The City estimates available funds totaling approximately $110,000. The limited funding awards will be at a minimum of $10,000 and maximum of $30,000. The Application is currently available and can be accessed by going to http://www.cityofelmira.net/community-development .
I have also attached a Microsoft Word copy of the application for your convenience. In addition, to the Application, I have also attached a map showing low/moderate income areas (shaded in red) within the City of Elmira. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
An in-person technical assistance training on this application will be hosted on January 24, 2023 at 3PM at City Hall. Please RSVP by calling 607-737-5691.
At this time, the City of Elmira has not been provided with an estimate as to what our 2023 CDBG allocation will be, but we are anticipating that funding will remain at the same level as last year.
I have also included a link to HUD’s Basically CDBG Training Manual which was updated by HUD in May 2014. These sections outline eligible and ineligible items under the different categories.
https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/19/basically-cdbg-training-guidebook-and-slides/
2023 CDBG PUBLIC SERVICE APPLICATION
HUD Low and Moderate Income Map
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 $10,000 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
Would you be interested in joining our Active Contractor's list? You must meet the qualifications listed in the attachment or in the PDF included in the link below.
Click here to make sure you or your firm is not on HUD's listing for debarred and suspended participants.