Jamestown public hearing examines reallocation of $640,000 in HOME funds for Gateway site cleanup

Jamestown held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to its five‑year action plan to reallocate $640,000 in unspent HOME program funds to site preparation and soil remediation for the Gateway housing project. Several residents and housing advocates urged the city to approve the reallocation so environmental cleanup and a sub‑slab depressurization system can begin; other speakers urged caution about timing, federal HOME requirements and fiscal responsibility. The council did not vote during the hearing and said it would consider the allocation later in its regular session.

Supporters said the funds would speed a project that proponents say will add permanent supportive housing. "A 10 units of permanent supportive housing would be real transformative," Josiah Lamp said, identifying himself as working with Choctawoke Opportunities and as chair of the Chautauqua County Homeless Coalition. An unnamed chairperson of the Healthy at Home — Chautauqua Healthy Housing Coalition said the site preparation is important "regardless of the future use of that parcel," and warned of erosion and contaminants…