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 | | Economic and Community Development |  |
|  |  |  |  | Welcome to the City of Erie
Department of Economic and Community Development
Our office works to strategically implement federal programs that fund housing and community and economic development activities within the City of Erie. Through a collaborative planning process, involving a broad spectrum of public and private agencies, the City of Erie has developed a single, consolidated plan that covers years 2010 through 2014.
The purpose of this plan is to guide funding decisions for the next five years for specific federal funds. Our plan is guided by the following three goals:
GOAL 1. To provide decent housing by preserving the affordable housing stock, increasing the availability of affordable housing and reducing discriminatory barriers.
GOAL 2. To provide a suitable living environment through safer, more livable neighborhoods.
GOAL 3. To expand economic opportunities through more jobs paying self-sufficient wages, homeownership opportunities and development activities that promote long-term community viability.
Our Funding Sources:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) The primary objective of this federal program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and economic opportunities principally for persons of low and moderate income levels. This year’s Community Development Block Grant total was $3,824,080.
Some of our CDBG projects for this year include:
Renovations at Community Health Net
Renovations at Stairways
Sidewalk Replacement Project for Voices for Independence.
Housing Rehabilitation Programs through the Erie Redevelopment Authority
Perry Square Park Improvements
Accessible curb cuts on City Sidewalks
Damaged Tree Removal and Replacement
Street Resurfacing
Demolition of blighted and abandoned structures in neighborhoods.
Brownfield clean up
Home Weatherization Programs
Lead-safe rehabilitation of homes
Downtown Retail Development Services
Façade improvements for Downtown Businesses
Summer Recreation Programs for Youth
Neighborhood Centers
Erie Senior Center
Multicultural Resource Center
St. Paul’s Neighborhood Clinic
Community Policing
American Red Cross swimming programs
HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME): Federal funding for the Development and Rehabilitation of affordable rental and ownership housing for low and moderate income households.
This year’s funding which totaled $1,075,222 has been used to assist St. Martin’s Center, the Bayfront Eastside Task Force, Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, the City of Erie Redevelopment Authority
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG): A federal program designed to help improve the quality of existing emergency shelters for the homeless, to make available additional shelters, to meet the costs of operating shelters and to provide essential social services to homeless individuals and to help prevent homelessness.
This year the City was awarded $154,918 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds. We used this funding to assist St. Patrick’s Haven, Community of Caring, Safenet, Erie ity Mission, The Refuge, Community Shelter Services and the Mercy Center for Women.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program: Congress created the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to help cities, counties and states deal with community problems that are the result of the mortgage foreclosure crisis in the nation. The federal government provided money to about 250 local governments (cities and counties) and all 50 states. The City of Erie applied through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and was awarded $2,089,416 to address foreclosed and abandoned homes in the City of Erie.
As part of our program, the City of Erie has partnered with Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, the Erie Redevelopment Authority and the Bayfront Eastside Task Force to acquire 10 abandoned/foreclosed properties in the Little Italy, Central City and the Bayfront Eastside Neighborhoods. Additionally we have demolished ten blighted homes and are constructing 6 new single family homes that will be made available for purchase to those at less than 120% of median income.
We have also provided funding for the rehabilitation of a large apartment building on East 12th Street into six apartments that will be made available for individuals at 50% of median income. These projects will act to stabilize urban neighborhoods that have been hit hard by the national foreclosure crisis.
To obtain more information and view the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) homes available for purchase, please utilize one the links provided below:
http://www.hands-erie.org/content/homes-for-sale (HANDS),
http://www.eriemoves.com/17403 (BEST)
For information on the NSP homes built by the Erie Redevelopment Authority (ERA), please contact Mr. Rich Bertges at the ERA at (81) 453-4505.”
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program: On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes $1.5 billion for a Homelessness Prevention Fund. Funding for this program, called the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), was distributed to eligible communities based on a standard formula. Funding under this program must be for persons who are at or below 50% of area median income lever. This program was designed to provide financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed.
The City of Erie received $1,458,364. We have partnered with Erie County, St. Martin’s Center, GECAC and Community Shelter Services to deliver this program. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance please contact Community Shelter Services, 655 West 16th Street, Erie, PA, (814) 453-5937
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