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Council to accept HUD community project funds for blight remediation and extend Financial Empowerment Center interim contract
Summary
City staff said the city will accept up to $1 million in FY23 HUD community project funding for blight remediation and emergency repair and will temporarily extend Home Headquarters' contract to provide Financial Empowerment Center services while a new RFP is evaluated.
City staff told councilors the city will execute an agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for up to $1 million in congressional community project funding to support blight‑busting and emergency repair programs. The award was described as a congressional project allocation (sourced through Senator Schumer’s office) rather than a standard competitive HUD grant.
Why it matters: The funding will be targeted to blight remediation and emergency repairs — programs that help stabilize housing and address urgent property conditions in neighborhoods across the city.
Neighborhood Development staff also reported that the city issued an RFP for Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) services to replace the current provider. The RFP received responses; staff said they plan to present a recommended contractor at an upcoming meeting. To ensure continuity of services while the competitive process concludes, Home Headquarters has agreed to continue providing FEC services under a short interim extension. Staff said the initial FEC program was funded by national technical assistance and later supported with ARPA before moving to the city general fund.
Staff said the HUD community project funds are not yet targeted to specific addresses; the funds will be deployed through the city’s existing blight‑busting and emergency repair program targeting properties based on program criteria. The council will receive implementing ordinances for appropriation and for the interagency agreements when those details are finalized.
No votes were recorded during the discussion; staff indicated the HUD agreement and the interim FEC continuation will be brought back to the council for formal approval.
