IURA public hearing: local nonprofits seek funding for housing, transportation, food access, jobs and reuse programs

Ithaca’s Urban Renewal Agency reconvened a public hearing on March 7 to hear funding requests from local nonprofit and community partners seeking Community Development Block Grant and related public-service dollars.

At the meeting, representatives from more than a dozen organizations described how modest grants would support direct services — from vouchers for household goods and legal immigration help to case management for transitional housing, youth housing scholarships, job-readiness training and subsidized farm shares.

Why it matters: the requests target services for low- and moderate‑income residents in the city — households that agency staff and presenters said lack reliable access to furniture, transportation, employment pathways and culturally appropriate fresh food. Agency members said they will review proposals at committee meetings in the next two weeks before returning recommendations to the IURA board and, subsequently, the Common Council.

Presentations and key requests

Finger Lakes Reuse (Remap): Robin Elliott, chief operating officer, and Abby (development coordinator) requested operating support for Remap, a reuse-materials access program that issues shopping “gift cards” for furniture, housewares, appliances and technology. Elliott said the program began in 2017, now works with “over 40 partners” and assists “an average of 75 households monthly.” Abby told the board that Remap issues gift cards ranging from $180 to $360 determined by household size and items requested, that each household is eligible for one voucher per calendar year (with exceptions), and that gift cards expire after 90 days but are often extended. Finger Lakes Reuse said earned revenue covers about 50% of each gift card and delivery fee and asked the board to consider a funding request to replace or backfill unmet fundraising.

Human Services Coalition — 2-1-1: John Mazzello (deputy director) and Nicole Ralston (contact center manager) described a request to fund wages and benefits for core 2-1-1 generalist staff. Mazzello said the request would support roughly 1.4 full‑time equivalent positions (one manager, one full‑time generalist and two part‑time specialists) to preserve…