Allegany County Community Development Committee met June 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
CALL TO ORDER: The Public Hearing on the outcome of the Community Development Block Grant Program was declared open at 3:11 p.m. by Chairman Curtis W. Crandall
ROLL CALL: Legislators Present: Gary Barnes, Janice Burdick, Curtis Crandall, Philip
Curran, David Decker, William Dibble, Dwight Fanton, Karl Graves, Brooke Harris, Steven Havey, Dwight “Mike” Healy, Judith Hopkins, John Ricci, Debra Root, Philip Stockin
ALSO PRESENT: T. Boyde, J. Budinger, S. Decker, J. Dennis (Cattaraugus Community Action), V. Grant, M. Hennessy, C. Jones (Transformation Initiative), J. Kelley, C. Knapp, R. Lynch, C. Potter (Wellsville Daily Reporter), B. Riehle
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant Program – Grant Outcome
Chairman Crandall stated the public hearing is concerning the grant outcome of the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant Program, delivered in partnership with the Cattaraugus Community Action Agency utilizing $850,000 in grant funds to replace nine dilapidated owner occupied manufactured homes within Allegany County and address septic and water issues serving those homes, with such homes owned by members of a vulnerable population comprising the elderly, disabled, and veterans.
Comments from the public included the following:
Casey Jones, Transformation Initiative – Building Healthy Communities Through Healthy Families, Belmont, New York
Mr. Jones stated that he is involved in outreach ministry in Allegany County to develop systems that meet the needs of people who are struggling with any number of issues. Last year he expressed concern at a public hearing before the previous Board that this program was a poor return on investment based on how the funds are allocated. He said, We’re spending close to $1 million to help approximately 10 people. He would expect to be able to help 30-40 people with that amount of money. He’s concerned that mobile homes deteriorate quickly. Mr. Jones said, “So far the County appears to have spent $94,444 per housing unit when, as he expressed last year, home sales records in the County indicate that two to three times more individuals could even have been helped by moving them into regular homes in the County that aren’t subject to the same depreciation as a manufactured home and help retain property values and housing quality.” Also, he doesn’t consider this community development as the homes being replaced are all over Allegany County. Mr. Jones stated he doesn’t want to minimize the need; it’s important. He also questioned the high cost of administering the program. If we could help 30-40 individuals, that would be community development. He said he hopes they don’t do this again. He suggested the County needs a comprehensive community development plan. He asked that the Board rescind the resolution (transferring funds from prior CDBG programs to the current program) passed at the Board meeting held prior to the public hearing. Mr. Jones remarked that the County has a Land Bank and there are other opportunities and organizations that can help. This money could be spent in better ways and help more people.
Legislator Barnes stated, obviously you don’t like this plan. You’ve given some alternatives. What would you have liked to see? Mr. Jones suggested it would be better to come up with a plan first for what you want to accomplish, and then go look for the funding. Legislator Fanton said, I think if you ask any of those people who were helped, they would say it was money well spent. Chairman Crandall stated that these monies were for a specific program with specific guidelines. Although he likes the idea of purchasing and upgrading existing housing, this program didn’t allow that. Legislator Dibble asked if the Planning Department has a housing development plan. Chairman Crandall asked John Dennis from Cattaraugus Community Action, who is administering the grant, to explain the program. Mr. Dennis stated that in Allegany County we frequently see mobile homes that are very dilapidated. There is a strong need for this. It’s a competitive program. The people we serve are the most underserved population in Allegany County. They could not pay for repairs to their homes. There really are no other programs that allow repairs to mobile homes. The new mobile homes are set on a permanent foundation. These are long-term, energy efficient houses. It is a life changing thing for these people. They have a house that is energy efficient. Legislator Barnes asked if there are responsibilities for the people who receive the homes. Mr. Dennis stated that there is a 10-year note, held by the County, attached to each of these homes. The recipient must pay the taxes. These are elderly people who receive these homes. He’s never seen one of these homes fall into severe disrepair. Mr. Dennis explained the figures on the report for the program, including the administrative costs. Legislator Graves remarked that a home replaced in Wellsville under this program was very nicely installed and the people living there are keeping it up. County Administrator Boyde noted that it’s not just a mobile home, but also water, septic, and electrical improvements that are made as part of the program. He also explained that the money transferred as a result of the resolution passed at the Board meeting was labeled for this program. It cannot be used for any other purpose. The only other option is to give it back to the State. Legislator Healy stated that we can still look into other programs to improve housing, but this is the criteria we had to work with. Legislator Root noted that local contractors are seeing some work as a result of this program.
As there were no further comments, the public hearing was declared closed at 3:44 p.m.
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