Congressman Brian Higgins and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced Erie County has been awarded over $4.15 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"This funding provides critical resources to give communities the tools to build stronger neighborhoods, yet these funds were slated for full elimination under this administration's budget," Higgins said. "Thankfully, the programs were restored by Congress, but this award is a reminder of the many great projects that would not be possible if HUD programs are slashed."
"On behalf of the residents of the Erie County, I want to thank Congressman Higgins for ensuring that these federal dollars were not removed from the budget," Poloncarz said. "HUD funding helps attract and retain businesses in our region, which in turn helps to create jobs and have other positive impacts on Western New York. It is my hope that other members of Congress take note of the many benefits communities such as ours receive when this type of funding is earmarked for projects that will improve and revitalize several different neighborhoods. The funding for rehabbing affordable housing structures and assisting the homeless also represents wise investment in helping those who are less fortunate."
Erie County received $3,036,359 through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which authorizes resources to support local community development needs, such as construction of affordable housing, infrastructure investment, and job creation.
A few examples of local projects that will be supported with these CDBG resources include: a handicap-accessible elevator in the Grand Island Town Hall; sidewalk replacement on Hawro Road, Manitou Street and Terrace Boulevard in the Village of Depew; road repair on Benson Avenue, Wichita Road and Dirkson Avenue in West Seneca; improvements to the Lackawanna Public Library parking lot and road paving on Jackson, Madison and Elm streets; and sewer upgrades on Wheeler Street in the City of Tonawanda.
An additional $899,449 in federal funding has been awarded to Erie County through HUD's HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), which supports activities related to the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing in local communities. Previously allocated HOME funding recently allowed Erie County and the City of Lackawanna to revitalize and resell several homes in Lackawanna's First and Second Ward neighborhoods.
Erie County also received $222,084 through the HUD Emergency Solutions Grants Program, which supports community efforts addressing homelessness.
HUD funding, directed to Erie County, is distributed to 34 municipalities within the county that have formed a consortium, combining efforts to apply for these federal resources.
