Council hears updates on homelessness funding, first-time homebuyer aid and neighborhood cleanup

During Nov. 20 public comment, residents and staff updated council on several community programs and neighborhood maintenance efforts.

Jamie Smith said the Lower South Side Land Bank is stalled in a title process; the board agreed to use $120,000 of expiring spare funds for Volunteers of America—s Bridal Place, a five-unit housing project for people experiencing homelessness. Administration confirmed the use of the expiring funds to help finish that multimillion-dollar project.

Administration also reviewed program outcomes from recent anti-blight and economic programs: the first-time homebuyer program paid up to $7,500 toward closing costs (used by 54 households), and the SPARK program supported 91 new businesses by waiving first-year rent, with approximately 90% still operating.

Residents raised several operational concerns: electronics drop-off fees (one resident paid $40 to recycle two monitors and asked why Scranton charged no fee), inconsistent street signage and placement on utility poles, and a subsiding railroad crossing on George Avenue that staff were asked to refer to the county for inspection.

Council members said health, code enforcement, DPW and police coordinated targeted neighborhood cleanups and would resume efforts when weather improves. Staff said in-house sign fabrication takes time as the city changes to a new green-and-white sign standard; stop-sign or safety-related signage will be prioritized and installed when reported.

Next steps: staff will follow up on the railroad crossing with the county, provide documentation on the use of expiring funds for Bridal Place, and return with implementation details for any new pickup or recycling options and street-sign maintenance.