U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Community Planning and Development
Consolidated Plan Contact
CITIZEN'S SUMMARY
Rome, New York is a historic City of 44,370 people located in the Mohawk Valley of
Central New York. Fort Stanwix, a part of the three-pronged strategy of the British during
the Revolutionary War, is located in Rome and the Erie Canal was started here. While it
became known as "The Copper City" during the Industrial Revolution, the presence of
Griffiss Air Force Base has dominated the economy in recent years. With the realignment of
the base in 1995, Rome has chosen a regional approach to economic development hoping to
reuse the Base to establish a high technology park centered on spinoff companies from
Rome Lab, the remaining military function left at the Base, Rome is also committed to
strengthening its economy by encouraging diversity in such industries as tourism and metals
manufacturing and back-room finance and accounting. Rome's workforce has a reputation
as hardworking and highly skilled. With a high percentage of owner-occupied housing
coupled with a low crime rate, Rome is known as a good city in which to live and raise a
family.
Action Plan
The City of Rome Consolidated Plan presents a strategic vision for housing and
community development in this unique metropolitan area. lt includes a One-Year Action Plan
for spending approximately $1.3M of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds,
1.7M of New York State HOME funds, 1.4M of NYS Urban Development Corp. and US
Office of Economic Adjustment funds for the redevelopment of Griffiss Air Force Base, over
1 M in various State and Federal economic development grants, program income and various
other housing grants and programs. These fund, will be spent primarily for the recovery
from the undermining of our economy due to the realignment of Griffiss Air Force Base, for
the stabilization and revitalization of the City's low and moderate income housing and
neighborhoods, and for homebuyers assistance for low/\mod income families.
Citizen Participation
The City of Rome's program development process is structured to allow year-round
citizen participation. The principal elements of this process are:
- Regular conduct of public hearings
- Publishing and distribution of brochures, plans and other information
- Active and direct involvement with community groups and organizations
- Provision of technical assistance to low and low-mod groups
- Establishment of and regular contact with advisory committees
- Frequent media coverage
In addition to the above elements, a recent comprehensive community survey
established general goals and objectives for the community in all areas. The City intends to
repeat this survey on a periodic basis. All programs related to the CDBG
are included in the citizen participation process.
COMMUNITY PROFILE
Like many communities in the northeast, Rome has been slowly recovering
from a precipitous decline in its long-established major industry, metals
manufacturing. While a greater percent of Rome's work force is still involved in
manufacturing than in the rest of the State, it is a fraction of the percent involved
before the onset of the post-WWII technological revolution. Relying principally on
the presence of Griffiss Air Force Base, the City had recovered well until 1993
when the Base Realignment and Closure Commission approved Air Force plans
to drastically realign the Base.
Being the largest employer between Albany and Rochester, Griffiss has an
immense effect on Rome's economy. This action has created a new climate of
uncertainty, replacing one of optimism and determination.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
Conditions
The City's housing stock is in very sound condition with less than nine percent
of all occupied units requiring rehabilitation. This very positive situation exists
primarily because the City has maintained a persistent policy of promoting new
housing construction and of using CDBG programs to help low and
moderate-income homeowners in older city neighborhoods maintain their
housing, ln addition, Rome has historically enjoyed a high proportion of
owner-occupancy in its housing stock and relatively high rates of private
investment in new housing. Taken together, these factors have contributed to the
maintenance of existing housing by creating a healthy housing market, worthy of
investment.
Housing Needs
There is an increasing need for affordable housing in Rome. A substantial
number of lower income households today have no way to accumulate savings
for down payments and closing costs and, therefore, are effectively priced out of
the conventional housing market. Additionally, the combination of low vacancy
rates and stagnant incomes makes renting a unit very difficult for people with low
to moderate incomes. This condition puts added pressure on the rental market. It
is said that in every setback there is an opportunity. The imminent departure of
Griffiss Air Force Base will be devastating to Rome's economy and very way of
life. But, at the same time, it will open up the housing market by increasing
availability and lowering the threshold for entry. Therefore, the City plans to act
now to take advantage of this opportunity by starting a first time homebuyer's
program.
There is no reason to believe that the demand for affordable housing will
attenuate in the next five years. ln fact, in the uncertain times that we are facing,
affordability will become the most important factor in the housing market. It is
also expected that the need for affordable, safe and sanitary larger family units
will be steady with no significant increases. There is strong evidence that there is
an adequate supply of standard one and two-bedroom units in the city and that
the demand for housing subsidy for small families will remain constant during this
period.
Housing Market Conditions
Other than a general decrease in the number of persons per household, the
Rome housing market has been remarkably stable over the past 10 years. Both
total population and housing units have shown a gradual increase, while housing
condition has remained good. Still, about 6,894 of Rome's households are
currently at risk of being severely impacted by changes in economic and housing
conditions, to the point of losing their housing. A great deal more are expected to
join them as base realignment is implemented over the course of 1995.
Affordable Housing Needs
The primary needs in terms of home ownership have been found to be
assistance for low and moderate income households in purchasing their own
housing, and increasing the availability of affordable ownership alternatives.
Affordability is also expected to become a central theme in the market for rental
housing. The imminent departure of Griffiss Air Force Base will be devastating to
Rome's economy and very way of life. But, at the same time, it will open up the
housing market by increasing the availability of affordable housing and lowering
the threshold for entry. Therefore, the City will try to take advantage of this
opportunity by helping low to moderate income households to purchase homes.
Homeless Needs
The City of Rome is taking steps to determine the size and characteristics of
its homeless population. Because the homeless in Rome who sought help have
historically been referred to Utica, there have been very few systematic attempts
to assist Rome's small but significant homeless population in situ. The City is
therefore working with the Neighborhood Center of Utica to expand its existing
soup kitchen in Rome to include an emergency shelter and related programming.
The Housing Vulnerable are the main target of the City's Neighborhood
Improvement Program which strives to promote affordable, safe and clean
housing and neighborhoods through a loan/subsidy program for maintenance and
rehabilitation. The departure of Griffiss Air Force Base has the potential to
reverse 14 years of progress by this CDBG Program in creating good, livable
neighborhoods for everyone in the City. The Neighborhood Improvement Program
will be continued and possibly expanded in order to accommodate the increased
need expected in the next five to ten years.
Public and Assisted Housing Needs
The assisted housing inventory, provided by HUD, shows a Total of 2,095
subsidized rental units in Rome. The Rome Housing Authority operates four
public housing projects, Colonial Apartments I and lI, Valentine Apartments and
Liberty Garden Apartments. Together, these projects provide housing for 831
low-income households. The Housing Authority also administers several State
and Federal programs aimed at assuring quality housing. ln general, waiting lists
for public housing and housing assistance programs are reasonable. There is less
than a 3-month wait for the Section 831 elderly housing units, owned by the
Housing Authority, and a one year wait for the family housing at Liberty Gardens.
ln addition, the Section 8 list has a two year wait. lt is unclear how much or
whether any need exists for additional public housing units. But, there is a distinct
need for additional financial assistance through the Section 8 Housing Assistance
program.
Barriers to Affordable Housing
The lack of sufficient income is certainly the major barrier to affordable
housing in Rome at this time, and promises to continue to be for at least the next
five years. Even an oversupply of housing will not be of any use if the prospective
buyer or tenant is not in a financial position to take advantage of it. The number of
existing low to moderate-income households, combined with the increase
expected over the next five to ten years, clearly demonstrates a growing barrier to
affordable housing. lt indicates a need for financial assistance not only in
obtaining affordable housing, but in retaining current housing as well.
Equally important is the constant deterioration of our affordable housing stock
over time. While Rome's housing stock is currently in very sound condition, this is
only because of longstanding positive market conditions and the City's long-term
persistence in helping low and moderate-income homeowners maintain their
properties. The next five years will be a crucial test of the Neighborhood
lmprovement Program. The increase in unemployment and underemployment
over the next five years will force more homeowners to neglect to maintain their
property. The departure of Griffiss Air Force Base has the potential to reverse 14
years of progress by this CDBG program in creating good, livable program in creating good, livable neighborhoods for everyone in the City.
Without doubt, it is even more important than in the past to continue to correct
substandard conditions in low and moderate income neighborhoods.
These two factors loom largest as we face the loss of our major employer.
But, some groups may be hit harder than others. With less money, landlords will
be less willing to invest in the necessary changes to make their housing
handicapped-accessible, thus creating a barrier for the disabled. Barriers for the
elderly, whose incomes are lower than those of the general population, will
overlap with those of the disabled. they will be less likely to find suitable housing
or be able to maintain the housing they already own.
Fair Housing
The most marked characteristic of Rome's racial and technic minority
subpopulations is their small size in comparison to the majority. This enormous
size differential between the majority and minority populations makes
comparisons difficult. In general, minority populations are distributed throughout
the City, in both low and high areas, and they do not seem to be limited in their
choice of geographic location. High concentrations of low income minority
residents are found in the same geographic areas as high concentrations of low
income majority residents, and these areas correspond to current CDBG and
Human Services target areas. While some geographic clustering is evident in
some segments, it seems more closely related to size than any other factor.
Income distributions show the same size-related patterning, with larger groups
more closely approximating the shape of the white majority population. The
community survey conducted in 1992 found no difference in white and minority
respondents' perceptions of difficulty in finding a place to live, getting credit or
being refused a place to live in Rome. All of the City of Rome's housing
programs include a fair housing component.
Lead-Based Paint
The incidence of lead poisoning in Rome reported to the Oneida County
Health Department has increased ninefold since the 1993 passage of a new State
law. The Cit plans to begin a cooperative effort with the Oneida county Lead
Poisoning Control Program through a formal referral process with the
Neighborhood Improvement Program.
Other Issues
The City of Rome, having just emerged from a long economic downturn, is
now facing another major setback, the realignment of Griffiss Air force Base. It is
carefully planning a strategy for economic recovery while maintaining the physical
and human service infrastructure that has sustained in the past. It has enlisted
the County, the State and the Federal Government as partners in this effort. It
has also been careful to maintain the cooperation and trust between all the
component groups that has developed over the years. Even so, the next five
years will be a difficult time as the City and region recoil from military downsizing.
Community Development Needs
While attractive, sound and affordable housing and neighborhoods are
considered to be the backbone of the community development effort in Rome,
other non-housing needs can have a great impact on the success of any such
program. Much of the community development effort in Rome is, therefore,
focused on the NYS Economic Development Zone that was established in July of
1994. The Zone program is designed to stimulate economic growth in the City's
most severely distressed area through a variety of financial incentives and
economic development benefits. to this end, the City is developing master plans
to tow subarea within the Zone, the Canalway and the Central Business District.
These plans, in conjunction with the master plan for Griffiss Air force Base, will
unite to form a coherent, comprehensive strategy for the versification and
expansion of Rome's beleaguered economy.
Because Rome has always put a great deal of its resources into
infrastructure, its roads, water, sewer and other systems are modern and in
generally good condition. This has put Rome in a reasonably strong position for
attracting business. The problem in the next five years and beyond will be to
maintain and upgrade these systems where necessary with severely restricted
resources.
Coordination
Coordination between and among various service areas has always taken
place mainly through both formal and informal cooperation and agreements. This
process has worked well for Rome since it does not have a particularly complex
network of providers as exists in some other cities. Formal agreements also
exist, for example, the third-party contracts necessary for CDBG funding of a
needed program. Coordination is also accomplished by the City through direct
administration of some programs. The establishment of the Economic
Development Zone has enhanced the process of coordination and cooperation
through the creation of the Economic Development Zone Board. Specific
categories of Board membership were chosen to represent the entire spectrum of
needs, interests, and participants in the Zone.
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Vision for Change
The City of Rome is in a race to replace the economic chasm created by the
realignment of Griffiss Air Force Base. lt sees its future in the attraction,
development and nurturing of high technology companies, using Rome Lab as a
magnet and source. It is working to diversify its economy by supporting its
remaining metals manufacturers, encouraging the development of tourism,
redeveloping its old dilapidated industrial areas, and reviving its waterfront.
The loss of a major regional employer like GAFB is devastating and will test
the City's resolve in maintaining housing stock. But, at the same time, the City
sees an opportunity in the vacant housing left behind to increase the number of
low and moderate income homeowners.
Housing and Community Development Priorities and Objectives
Housing Priority # 1:
Continue Neighborhood Stabilization/Revitalization
Programs
Objective: Rehabilitate 200 units of substandard housing through the Neighborhood lmprovement Program.
Objective: Rehabilitate 100 units of housing through the HOME program
Objective: Demolish 20 unsalvageable structures to make way for infill development
Housing Priority #2:
Create and Increase Opportunities for Homeownership for Low/Moderate Income Households
Objective: Assist 200 households in buying homes
Homeless Priority # 1:
Establish a Comprehensive Assistance Program in
Rome for Homeless Individuals and Families
Objective: Establish an emergency shelter and related programming for the homeless in Rome
Community Development Priority #1:
Maintain and Improve the City's Public
Services and Infrastructure
Objective: Implement the Master lnfrastructure Plan for Griffiss Air Force Base
Objective: lmplement the Master Plan for the Canalway
Objective: lmplement the Master Plan for the Central Business District
Community Development Priority #2:
Increase the Amount and Variety of
Child Care Options in the EDZ
Objective: Develop and implement a Master Child Care Plan for the Economic Development Zone
Objective: Continue to use the existing child care center at Griffiss Air Force Base
Objective: Establish a child care center in the Primary Area of the Economic Development Zone
Objective: Increase the network of Family Child Care Providers in the Economic Development Zone by 20 homes.
Community Development Priority #3:
Diversify and Expand Rome's
Commercial and Industrial Base
Objective: Develop a Technology Transfer Campus on Griffiss Air Force Base
Objective: Assist the Development of New Technology spinoff Companies
Community Development Priority #4:
Assist Those Unemployed as a Result
of the Realignment of GAFB to find New Jobs
Special Needs Priority #1:
Improve Housing and Neighborhoods and Increase
Economic Opportunities in EDZ
Special Needs Priority #2:
Assist the Disabled in Rome in Obtaining a Barrier-Free Living Enviroment
Special Needs Priority #3:
Develop a Plan to Help Reverse the Recent Trend
Among Rome's Youth Toward Anti-social, Criminal and Runaway Behavior
Special Needs Priority #4:
Continue to Provide Financial Assistance and
Develop Housing Alternatives for the Elderly
Anti-Poverty Priority:
Target poverty reduction efforts in the EDZ
Lead-Based Paint Priority:
Continue to Correct Lead-Based Paint Hazards in
Rome
Institutional Structure Priority:
Maintain and enhance an informal network of relationships with all
contributors to the Consolidated Plan
Barrier Reduction Priority #1:
Help Low and Moderate-Income Homeowners Maintain Their Property
Barrier Reduction Priority #2:
Increase opportunities for homeownership in Rome
Housing Priorities
Housing priorities center around stabilizing housing and neighborhoods in
low/mod areas of the City. They also include empowering low/mod families to
purchase housing and homeless individuals and families to find permanent
housing.
Non-Housing Community Development Priorities
Community Development Priorities center around diversifying the economy
and reversing deterioration in the City's older industrial area and Central Business
District in the effort to recover as quickly as possible from the loss of Griffiss Air
Force Base.
Anti-Poverty Strategy
The City of Rome is well aware of the need to encourage antipoverty
programs over the next few years because of the loss of its principal employer,
Griffiss Air Force Base. Various State, regional and community-based social
service organizations administer programs such as Head Start, HEAP, JTPA,
self-sufficiency programs, and housing and mortgage counseling. Increasing the
availability of quality child care services, a major barrier to employment, is an
economic development priority.
Housing and Community Development Resources
In any given year, approximately 20 Federal, state, County and private
programs provides services to the community. The primary Federal resources
include CDBG, EDA, CSBG, OEA, Section 8, public housing, ISTEA and HEAP.
New York State resources include HOME, UDC, NYSTA, DOT, REDPP, DOL and
DED. Regional and Local resources include various Oneida county Department
of Social Services, the United Way, Oneida County Community Action, Oneida
county Employment and Training, and numerous others.
Coordination of Strategic Plan
The Lead Agency for the Consolidated Plan s the City of Rome Department of
Planning and Community Development. Coordination is an on-going process
involving several mediums. One of the most effective is the presence of
Planning Department staff on the governing boards and committees of several
agencies. Another method for coordinating agency activities and Consolidated
Plan Development is the annual Capital Improvement Program. A third method is
the Economic Development Zone, a target area for economic improvement. The
Zone governing board is staffed by the Planning Department and chaired by the
Director of Planning and Economic Development. A fourth method is the Graffiss
Redevelopment Planning Council (GRPC), a county-wide planning body created
to manage the realignment of Griffiss Air Force Base. Planning Department and
other City staff serve on the GRPC council and several committees. The
Planning Department maintains similar relationships in varying degrees with
numerous other community organizations.
ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN
Descriptions of Key Projects
Neighborhood Improvement Program $250,000
The NIP Program provides deferred loans of up to $10,000 to low/moderate
income homeowners for rehabilitation of single family and multi-family
substandard residential structures. Rehab, of 45 units is planned for the current
Program Year. The majority of funding (80 percent) is targeted to low/mod
residents, most of whom reside in the NIP Target Area. Funds will also be used
to supplement Housing Trust Fund and NYS DHCR projects. Rehabilitation will
include the correction of all interior/exterior code violations and weatherization.
Rome Housing Authority $165,000
Liberty Gardens is a low income public housing project of 180 units. The
project will consist of cladding the exterior fascia and soft trim, brick repointing
and restoration, replacement of kitchen gas ranges and parking area
rehabilitation.
Liberty Gardens Playground $100,000
New play equipment, paving, resilient surface and landscaping/drainage
improvements will be installed in this neighborhood playground adjacent to a
major low-income housing project.
Pinti Park $125,000
New modular play equipment and resilient surface will be installed in this
neighborhood playground within the NIP Target Area.
Streets $150,000
Traffic improvements and reconstruction of substandard streets within the NIP
Target Area. lmprovements will include new curbing, signage, streetscape and
resurfacing.
Code Enforcement $100,000
Clearance of substandard vacant structures within the NIP Target Area.
Unoccupied deteriorated structures can be used for criminal activities, are subject
to fires, do not promote reuse, and decrease the visual attractiveness of low
income areas.
Tree Planting Project/Keep America Beautiful of Rome, New York $ 30,000
A tree planting program and neighborhood cleanup campaigns to remove
trash and debris will be conducted this year in the NIP target area.
Jervis Public Library $ 27,000
Automatic door openers and handicapped accessible terminals and
equipment will be installed in Rome's only public library in order to comply with
ADA requirements.
Drug Prevention Program $ 50,000
Funded every year, the Rome DARE program provides a strong anti-substance abuse message along with exposure to various cultural/recreational
events. The program serves preteenage/teenage youngsters and may also be
expanded to include linkages to other crime prevention programs.
Rome Industrial Development Cooperation $325,000
RIDC operates a revolving loan fund which grants loans to new or existing
businesses for plant rehabilitation, expansion, equipment or operating capital.
Potential loan recipients must meet applicable CDBG requirements for economic
development activities and create/retain jobs.
Central Business District $ 25,000
Development of a Master Plan will address longstanding site and
infrastructure improvements necessary to reverse/eliminate barriers to economic
development in Rome's Central Business District.
NYS Economic Development Zone Program $ 25,000
An assessment of child car availability and quality, and the removal of this
barrier to employment is essential to encouraging area revitalization and
development.
Locations
Most of the projects in the One Year Plan are located in the NIP and/or EDZ
low/mod target areas.
Those that are not, such as the Jervis Library handicapped accessibility
project, are targeted at a special needs population or at a community
development goal, such as the RIDC revolving loan fund.
Lead Agencies
The Lead Agency for the Consolidated Plan is the City of Rome Department
of Planning and Community Development. All public housing in Rome is
administered by the Rome Housing Authority and 100 percent of it is assisted
housing of various types. Therefore, the Lead Agency for public housing is the
Rome Housing Authority.
Housing Goals
Housing goals for 1995 include continuing neighborhood stabilization and
revitalization by rehabilitating 200 units of substandard housing through the
Neighborhood Improvement Program, rehabilitating 100 units of housing through
the HOME program, and demolishing 20 unsalvageable structures to make way
for infill development.
Secondly, they include creating and increasing opportunities for
homeownership for low/moderate income households by assisting 200
households in buying homes.
Finally, they include establishing a Comprehensive Assistance Program in
Rome for homeless individuals and families by establishing an emergency shelter
and related programming for the homeless in Rome which would serve over
1,000 people a month including up to 24 homeless individuals and/or families.
Maps
MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration
levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and proposed HUD funded
projects.
MAP 6 depicts Neighborhood Segments and streets with proposed HUD funded projects; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).
To comment on Rome's Consolidated Plan, please contact:
Carol W. Alaie
Senior Planner
PH: (315)339-7645
Return to New York's Consolidated Plans.