Rochester residents pressed city leaders March 17 over how federal housing and community development funds are spent, as officials gathered public input for the city’s next two‑year Annual Action Plan.
The plan outlines a range of housing and community development activities eligible for funding and is a part of the city’s 2025-29 Five-Year Consolidated Plan.
Money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development and Planning Program will be used to help guide this plan.
The city receives funds from four annual HUD formula grant programs: the Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership Program, Emergency Solutions Grant and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS.
Luis Aponte, neighborhood president for JOSANA, attended the hearing and expressed how the money should go back into the community.
“My issue is that the CDBG money has a lot of potential to do things, but it’s already spent,” Aponte said. “CDBG money is supposed to go back into the community and the neighborhoods are suffering. I understand we want to rebuild downtown and we want to fill all these big gaps, but where are we bringing back money to the poorest neighborhoods in the city?”
Henry Fitts, grants management and research coordinator, described how funds support nearly 30 different projects. He further explained that almost every topic in the spectrum of community programming, from housing to business and homelessness is addressed.
“Oftentimes, input more so influences how we target one of our existing programs, maybe more specifically, to the needs that are expressed,” Fitts said. “Maybe there’s a specific population or group that we want to focus more on, but there’s always opportunity for completely new programs if we’re really hearing about crucial needs in the community that are underdressed.”
The city is set to hold a second public hearing virtually at 6 p.m. May 20.
For more details about additional public input opportunities visit https://bit.ly/4bzHSXE.
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Residents press Rochester on where federal housing dollars go
Reporting by Kerria Weaver, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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