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City to accept $1M in congressional community-project funds for blight and emergency repairs; Home Headquarters to continue financial‑empowerment services under
Summary
Neighborhood Development presented ordinances to accept about $1 million in congressional community-project funding for blight remediation and emergency repairs and to extend Financial Empowerment Center services while a new RFP is evaluated.
Neighborhood and economic development officials told the Syracuse City Common Council that the city will accept up to $1,000,000 in fiscal‑year congressional community project funds for blight‑busting and emergency repair programs and that Home Headquarters will continue delivering Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) services while an RFP process completes.
Deputy Commissioner Michelle Spanski said two companion ordinances were held from a prior meeting until Home Headquarters could confirm board action; the organization’s board approved receipt of 2025‑26 operating funds and staff presented corrected ordinance language to reflect the approved $7.25 figure in the legislation where applicable.
Commissioner Matt Ojjay and other neighborhood development staff said the $1,000,000 awarded through congressional project funding will target blight remediation and emergency abatement programs; they said specific properties were not yet identified and that the funds were awarded via the congressional appropriation process rather than the typical competitive grant cycle. The money was described as secured through Senator Schumer’s office.
On financial empowerment services, staff said the city issued an RFP for a successor to Home Headquarters to operate the Financial Empowerment Center; staff reported three responses and said the committee will bring a proposal forward at a future meeting. In the meantime, Home Headquarters has agreed to continue services to ensure continuity; staff said funding has transitioned over time from federal or philanthropic startup funds to ARPA and now general‑fund support.
Councilors asked clarifying questions about amounts and timing; officials said contract details and final award recommendations will be presented in a future meeting.
