Town of West Seneca- Emporium Ave, Eldred Ave, and Gordon Avenue Paving Project
The Planning Division administers the Erie County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Consortiums. These comprise 34 and 37 communities, respectively, in Erie County that have banded together to receive federal funds.
These monies are used for a variety of community planning/improvement projects, housing programs, and economic development programs.
The Community Development program year runs from April 1st through March 31st.
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News:
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Erie County now has a local Fair Housing Law! The legislation, which was signed into law by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on May 22, 2018, incorporates the same protections as the federal and state fair housing laws while also prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity, immigration and citizenship status, and source of income. The legislation can be found here.
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In accordance with Initiatives for a Smart Economy 2.0, Erie County’s Department of Environment and Planning is assisting municipalities with comprehensive plan updates. Please see the Comprehensive Plan Updates page for more information.
Housing Programs:
- Housing Rehabilitation Program
The Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program assists eligible owner-occupied one- to two-family households to help with essential repairs. Funded through CDBG and Home Investment Partnership Program monies, the program aims to eliminate substandard living conditions and prolong the useful life of the housing stock occupied by low- and moderate-income households. Assistance is provided in the form of repayable loans of up to $15,000 that are issued at a 0% fixed interest rate.
For additional information, please contact Matthew at (716) 858-2733 or Matthew.Fisher@erie.gov.
Please note that there is currently a waiting list for this program.
- Rental Rehabilitation Program
This Program is available to property owners whose rental units fail to meet one or more standards as required by applicable local, state, and federal housing codes. The property owner must contribute 10% or more of the rehab cost, and rent the units to low/moderate income tenants for a period of seven years from the date of assistance. Further, the rents charged cannot exceed the fair market rents established by Erie County as determined by the federal government (see program brochure for more information).
For additional information, please contact Matthew at (716) 858-2733 or Matthew.Fisher@erie.gov.
- Lead Paint Remediation Grant Program
The Lead Paint Remediation Grant Program allows low- and moderate-income homeowners who have children under the age of 6 residing in the home to make essential repairs to make their home lead safe. A certified lead testing firm will identify areas in your home where lead paint may be hazardous. A lead certified contractor will make repairs to those areas to remediate the lead paint hazard. Financial assistance is provided in the form of a grant for the cost of repairs to remediate lead paint hazards from the home. No re-payment is required.
For additional information, please contact Matthew at (716) 858-2733 or Matthew.Fisher@erie.gov.
- Mobile Home Repair Program
The Mobile Home Repair program provides low interest deferred loans and grants to low-income individuals residing in mobile homes. See brochure for details. For additional information, please contact Matthew at (716) 858-2733 or Matthew.Fisher@erie.gov.
Please note that there is currently a waiting list for this program.
Mobile Home Repair Program 2020
- Housing Accessibility Program
The Housing Accessibility Program allows wheelchair-bound low- and moderate-income individuals with documented disabilities that significantly impair mobility to make essential accessibility improvements to their owner-occupied home. Loan assistance of up to $5,000 is available to assist with items such as access ramp installation, re-plumbing kitchen and bath to provide access to facilities, and installing a hard surface walkway from the ramp to where the vehicle is parked.
For additional information, please contact Matthew at (716) 858-2733 or Matthew.Fisher@erie.gov.
Housing Accessibility Program 2020
- Utility Connection Program
Through funding provided by the Erie County Community Development Block Grant Program, eligible households wishing to connect their houses to new community sewer and water lines can receive up to $5,000 to help with associated costs. Assistance is provided in the form of a 0% interest deferred loan that is not required to be paid back until the property is sold or transferred.
For additional information, please contact Matthew at (716) 858-2733 or Matthew.Fisher@erie.gov.
- Fair Housing Program
Erie County now has a local Fair Housing Law! The legislation, which was signed into law by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz on May 22, 2018, incorporates the same protections as the federal and state fair housing laws while also prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity, immigration and citizenship status, and source of income.
Go to erie.gov/FairHousing for more information.
- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program - Homeless Prevention & Rapid Rehousing
The ESG program provides housing assistance to individuals and families who are homeless or are in jeopardy of becoming homeless.
If you are homeless or facing homelessness, please contact the Coordinated Entry System at 716-832-2141 for further information or with any questions.
Reports & Documents:
- Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on a person’s race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin. Persons who are protected from discrimination by fair housing laws are referred to as members of the protected classes. Equal and free access to residential housing (housing choice) is a fundamental right that enables members of the protected classes to pursue personal, educational, employment or other goals. Because housing choice is so critical to personal development, fair housing is a goal that government, public officials and private citizens must embrace if equality of opportunity is to become a reality.
HUD defines an impediment to fair housing choice as any actions, omissions or decisions that restrict or have the effect of restricting the availability of housing choices, based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
The Analysis of Impediments (AI) serves as the basis for fair housing planning, provides essential information to policy makers, administrative staff, housing providers, lenders, and fair housing advocates, and assists in building public support for fair housing efforts. The governmental bodies of the five jurisdictions will review the AI and use it for direction, leadership and resources for future fair housing planning. The AI will also serve as a point-in-time baseline against which future progress in terms of implementing fair housing initiatives will be evaluated and recorded.
The 2020 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice report will be reviewed by the members of the Consortium in June.
- 2019 Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER)
- Final 2020-24 Consolidated Plan and 2020 Action Plan
Program Year Highlights:
2020
Thirteen Community Projects will be funded in 2020. This represents a total of $1,554,791.41.
Projects funded are as follows:
- City of Lackawanna – Smart Growth Project – Ridge Road Memorial Park Recreational Improvements - $325,000
- Town of Colden – Bread of Life Outreach Food Pantry Improvements - $100,000
- Town of Eden – Senior Van Replacement - $25,650
- Town of Alden – Roof Replacement for the Alden Senior Center - $92,600
- City of Tonawanda –Sanitary Sewer Relining – Gibson and Prospect Streets - $83,500
- Village of Depew – Sidewalk Replacement Project – Terrace Boulevard, Warsaw Street and Argus Drive - $99,375
- Village of Angola - North Main Street Maple to Woodward Waterline Replacement - $100,000
- City of Lackawanna – Milnor Avenue Road Reconstruction Project - $100,000
- Town of North Collins – North Collins Senior Center Upgrades - $96,166.41
- Village of North Collins – Front Street Waterline Installation – Front, Woode and Pine - $100,000
- Village of Akron – ADA Compliant Sidewalk Apron and Crosswalk for the Village of Akron Central Business District -$62,500
- Town of West Seneca – Road Milling and Resurfacing of Duerstein Street, Edson Street and Kirkwood Drive - $100,000
- Various Communities - Rural Transit Transportation Service: $270,000
Infrastructure improvements within low/moderate-income areas of the Consortium will continue to be a focus. Projects include sidewalk replacements, water/sewer work and street improvements.
The Rural Transit Service (RTS) Program operates within 25 of the 34 Consortium municipalities. It is a popular and successful human service for low/moderate-income residents as well as senior citizens.
The Housing Rehabilitation and Mobile Home Repair programs continue to be very successful with wait lists in effect for each program. Priority is given to those residing in target areas and older housing stock as well as having lower incomes. The Rental Rehabilitation Program will assist in improving more rental units this year. In 2020, additional funding will be allocated to the Lead Remediation Program. This is a grant program for homeowners with children under the age of 6 with lead hazards in the home.
Last updated: July 8, 2020 1:54pm