Utica awards CDBG funding to local nonprofits after public hearing

Utica City Council held a public hearing on the city’s fiscal‑year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) requests and approved allocations to multiple local nonprofits.

The council approved an allocation plan that set $1,000 for the Utica Public Library and divided the remaining available funds roughly equally among Hearts 4 Homes, Samaritan House and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers (IVC). Each of the three nonprofits was allocated approximately $497; councilmembers noted the figure is based on the limited total CDBG award to the city.

Krista Carpenter of Hearts 4 Homes asked for funding for security deposits and other move‑in support for homeless children and working families; she said Hearts 4 Homes served three Utica families in 2024 and already has one applicant for 2025. Marian Schultz, board member at Samaritan House, described a roughly 30% increase in service requests and requested $500 to support food assistance, holiday boxes and a summer food program. Sherry Warnock, volunteer coordinator at Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, described the "Safe at Home" program that provides chores, minor repairs and routine housekeeping for low‑ and moderate‑income seniors and asked for funds to expand services.

Councilmember Sikora moved to award $1,000 to the library and split the remaining funds among the three nonprofits; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Torenzi and passed unanimously.

Council and staff thanked the organizations for their work and noted the city’s limited CDBG allocation constrained awards. Council instructed staff to implement the approved allocation amounts and thanked the applicants for presenting their program outcomes and budgets during the hearing.