Chautauqua County holds public hearing and authorizes application for 2025 CDBG funds to replace wells and septic systems

Chautauqua County held a public hearing on Aug. 27 on a proposed application for 2025 Community Development Block Grant funds from the New York State Office of Community Renewal and authorized submission of the grant application.

County staff and representatives from the Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation (CHRIC) described a proposed program to replace failing wells and septic systems for low- and moderate-income residents. Josh Freifelt of CHRIC and Hannah Prostley, grant writer and administrator, presented the county-hosted hearing and answered procedural questions.

The presenters said the CDBG program referenced the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Title I, and is administered in New York by the Office of Community Renewal. They noted the program is competitive, must meet national objectives (benefit low- and moderate-income persons, reduce slums and blight, or address urgent community development needs) and that applicants must document household incomes against published limits.

CHRIC said the state announced 2025 housing funding opportunities on July 17, 2025, with applications due Sept. 19, 2025. The presenters estimated awards would be announced in December 2025 and, if successful, construction would begin in late winter or spring of 2026 with much of the work in 2026–27.

Freifelt said the prior county-administered program completed 17 projects under a recent $238,000 award: 12 septic upgrades and five well replacements. The new proposal CHRIC said it would administer requests approximately totaling $300,000 for the county. Staff noted cities with populations of 50,000 and counties with populations above 200,000 can apply directly; the statewide allocation for eligible activities was described as approximately $100 million for 2025 with county-level program amounts variable.

After the hearing the legislature took up resolution 208-25 to authorize the county to submit the 2025 CDBG Septics and Wells application through the New York State Office of Community Renewal. The resolution passed with the ayes carried on voice vote.

The presenters cautioned there was no guarantee of funding; awards are competitive and applicants should expect possible funding reductions. Residents or organizations seeking materials related to the application were directed to the county office.

The application deadline the presenters cited is Sept. 19, 2025; award notifications were expected in December 2025 if awarded.