CUOMO ANNOUNCES $9.7 MILLION IN HUD HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR SYRACUSE, NEW YORK

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $9.7 million in HUD grants for housing and community development programs in Syracuse, NY, in a telephone news conference with Mayor Roy Bernardi.

"These funds will go toward community-based solutions to the housing and economic development challenges Syracuse faces," Cuomo said. "We are funding a comprehensive strategy to create jobs and affordable housing, help homeless people become self-sufficient, provide housing assistance to people with AIDS, and increase homeownership."

Under Syracuse's 1998 Consolidated Plan, which was approved by HUD, Syracuse will receive $7.5 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds; $1.9 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program; and $296,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds for homeless programs.

Among the housing and community development efforts to be funded by the City this year are: Economic Development Technical Services to help businesses expand and improve activities that encourage job retention and expansion; Brighton Family Center - Job Connection - a project that works with community agencies and employers to help place unskilled people in temporary and permanent jobs; and the Downtown Committee of Syracuse will promote activities that contribute to downtown's economic viability. Additionally, the ESG funds will fund programs targeted to help the city's homeless population.

Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan said: "I congratulate Mayor Bernardi and everyone who worked on this plan. HUD's approval of these funds shows a strong commitment to the City of Syracuse. These funds will go far towards improving housing and lives in Syracuse."

Senator Alfonse D'Amato who cosponsored legislation in 1990 that created the HOME block grant program said: "New York welcomes this much-needed federal assistance which will help provide jobs, economic redevelopment and affordable housing in the neighborhoods of Syracuse. These funds will help make the American Dream of homeownership a reality for families and will help the City achieve its economic revitalization goals."

Syracuse Mayor Roy A. Bernardi said: "This award is important to Syracuse as it will provide monies for affordable housing and economic and community development programs to improve the livability of our city. In addition, as the City partners with a number of organizations and not-for-profit agencies which rely upon this funding, a multitude of housing and social service programs they administer will be able to continue to assist individuals and families in need throughout Syracuse."

The Consolidated Planning process, developed by Cuomo when he served as HUD Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, ensures that local residents have strong input into the creation of comprehensive, community-based housing and economic development plans. The streamlined process gives communities maximum local flexibility, while reducing burdensome regulatory requirements. Local HUD staff are empowered to work closely with communities to customize Consolidated Plans and help them realize their housing and economic development goals.