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CDAC presents FY51 funding recommendations, proposes shifts in capital and service allocations
Summary
The Community Development Advisory Committee presented recommended FY51 allocations across CDBG, HOME and ESG programs, including capital and service grants to nonprofits, park and street projects, and proposed home‑rehab funding; councilors raised questions about YMCA intake policy and agency billing practices.
The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) presented its recommended fiscal‑year 51 allocation mix for CDBG, HOME and ESG funds and explained service‑program and capital‑project priorities for the coming year.
CDAC members outlined a wide set of service and capital recommendations that prioritize housing rehabilitation, seniors services, street and park improvements, and emergency shelter support. The package includes targeted funding recommendations for agencies and projects such as the First Ward Action Council home‑repair program ($85,000 recommended), American Legion Post 80 roof assistance ($70,000 recommended), funds for several park court rehabilitations, and modest capital support for a YMCA roof replacement tied to expanded shelter capacity. CDAC also recommended program funding for social service providers including the Boys & Girls Club, Broome County Urban League programs, Fairview Recovery navigation, and rapid rehousing efforts.
CDAC presenters emphasized constraints imposed by HUD caps and program rules. Staff said HOME funding and CHDO set‑asides are difficult to obligate quickly because CHDO projects are typically larger, multi‑year undertakings; HOME had a reduced allocation this year, and the CDAC adjusted recommendations to reflect caps and prior encumbrances. CDAC also noted that ESG recommendations followed continuum‑of‑care (CoC) guidance to prioritize salary support for certain shelter and outreach services.
Councilors asked detailed questions about specific line items, billing and obligations. One councilor urged the city to discuss the YMCA intake protocol before finalizing contracts because the YMCA’s current shelter operations, as described to councilors, did not fully reflect ‘housing first’ best practices; CDAC staff agreed to pursue that conversation. Council members also asked CDAC to provide application packets and supporting documentation for individual grants so councilors can review proposals in committee if desired.
CDAC presenters said they will forward full application materials to council and the mayor’s office, and that staff will watch HUD allocations closely; HUD entitlement and HOME amounts were still settling at the time of the work session, and CDAC said it tried to be conservative with program‑income assumptions to minimize the risk of later reconciling budgets after HUD adjustments.
No final budget adoption occurred at the work session; CDAC requested council review and committee follow‑up before final adoption steps.
