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SURA approves $1.25 million to fund UCHIP loans and 27 townhomes with Home Headquarters
Summary
The Syracuse Urban Renewal Agency voted to accept up to $1.25 million from the City and to enter an agreement with Home Headquarters to allocate $500,000 for the UCHIP program and $750,000 toward construction of 27 townhomes at the Syracuse Developmental Center project.
The Syracuse Urban Renewal Agency voted unanimously to accept up to $1,250,000 from the City of Syracuse and to enter an agreement with Home Headquarters to allocate those funds to housing programs and a townhouse development.
Michelle Spanski, deputy commissioner of neighborhood development, told the board the funds were authorized in the city's 2025-26 general operating budget and that the $1,250,000 would be split so "$500,000 of those dollars is supporting the UCHIP program" and the remaining $750,000 would support construction of 27 townhomes connected to the Syracuse Developmental Center project. Spanski said the UCHIP dollars would be prioritized for income-qualified residents in neighborhoods targeted by the city's housing strategy, naming the Far Westside and Salt Springs as examples.
The board first approved a resolution authorizing SURA to accept the funds from the city and then approved a companion resolution authorizing SURA to enter an agreement with Home Headquarters for an amount not to exceed $1,250,000. Both motions were moved, seconded and carried with the board's affirmative vote.
Council President Hudson asked a clarifying question about the townhome count; Spanski confirmed the packet shows 27 townhomes and said the development is a partnership between Home Headquarters and the Albanese Group tied to the Syracuse Developmental Center project. Spanski also noted that some urgent-care-style loan resources already exist in the city's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding but said the purpose of the allocation is to create a dedicated pool for income-qualified residents within the housing-strategy priority areas.
The resolutions the board approved memorialize the agency-level authorizations; Spanski said separate legislation is pending before the Common Council to authorize the city's transfer of the budgeted dollars. The board did not alter the dollar amounts during the meeting.
Details on next steps and the timing of the Common Council action were not specified during the SURA discussion. Documentation in the meeting packet and subsequent council legislation will determine the precise agreement timeline and any additional conditions for disbursement.
