Common Council authorizes over $6.7 million in community grants
The Syracuse Common Council authorized the city’s application for three federal community block grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development this Monday. The confirmation comes after a public hearing on the funding. Solange Jain | Photo Editor
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The Syracuse City Common Council approved the city’s application for more than $6.7 million in federal community block grants from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development during its Monday meeting.
The approval comes weeks after the council held a public hearing on the funding. The combined grants, including the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant, are intended to support affordable housing developments, infrastructure improvements and homelessness prevention efforts throughout the city.
Once awarded, the Syracuse Department of Neighborhood and Business Development will distribute CDBG grant funds to local nonprofits focused on neighborhood revitalization and economic development.
Agencies focused on property renovations and home buyer assistance may receive funding through the HOME program. Projects aimed at preventing homelessness may be eligible for ESG funding.
During the council’s March 31 public hearing, community representatives from the Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, Home HeadQuarters and the Greater Syracuse Tenants Network spoke in support of the application to maintain funding for their housing and neighborhood development initiatives.
The council also authorized several capital improvement plans in city parks. It approved bonds and funding to purchase vehicles, replace park sidewalks, install park fences, build a new pavilion at Elmwood Park and repave the James Pass Arboretum.
Other business:
- The council will hold a public hearing Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. on the city’s proposed 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. The council will vote on the proposed $348.4 million budget by May 8.
- Councilors unanimously passed a local law allowing the city to raise property taxes above the 2% cap set by New York State’s General Municipal Law. The law will be implemented in July.
- The council held a vote authorizing the design and construction of a new municipal dog shelter.
