Troy Grants for Home Improvements

(Troy – November 4, 2010) Mayor Harry Tutunjian announced the city has been awarded a grant from the Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) in the amount of $300,000 to improve 100 homes in South Troy. Combined with matching $200,000 from the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies, this money will be used towards improving 50 single-family and 50 two-family homes. 

“Earlier this year, I announced the city would be taking an innovative approach to neighborhood revitalization by targeting two areas for infrastructure improvements and neighborhood sustainability projects. These grants for exterior rehabilitation will create a better quality of life and improve neighborhood viability for one hundred homes,” said Mayor Tutunjian. “By revitalizing neighborhood infrastructure and quality of life the city will be in a position to market itself to new homeowners seeking to purchase a home in an area that provides safe neighborhoods and quality basic services.” 

"It is wonderful to see the diligent efforts of the various neighborhood groups, myself, and the Mayor pay dividends in the awarding of these facade grants to continue the initiative to improve South Troy. I will strongly advocate our homeowners in District Six participate in this program that will enable the property improvements essential to maintaining and improving the quality of life in our South Troy neighborhoods," Councilman Gary Galuski (D – District 6). 

Earlier this year at the Mayor’s direction, the city’s Department of Planning and Community Development unveiled an innovative plan for the city’s CDBG monies in the new Five Year Consolidated Plan. This plan will invest $5 million over the next five years in South Troy and North Central neighborhood areas and received City Council approval. 

Back then, Tutunjian noted that $1.2 million is budgeted for what’s being termed the “South Troy Reinvestment Area” to pay for various projects including housing and street improvements, new playground equipment, better sidewalks, more efficient and safer lighting, building stabilization where feasible, vacant building demolition where necessary, and handicapped accessibility projects. This area includes all the neighborhoods from Canal Street south to Main Street and from 1st Street east to 4th Street. 

Additionally, Tutunjian’s recommendations continued funding quality of life programs such as the Neighborhood Improvement through Code Enforcement (NICE) that focus on specific neighborhoods in an intensive effort to correct minor and/or exterior violations before they develop into blight. 

Upon receipt of the grant, the city will develop an application process to determine income eligibility, which cannot exceed 112% of the median income for that census tract. Awarding of the grants will then be determined by the type of project and may include rehabilitation of porches, steps, exterior painting, roof repairs, among other options. 

It is anticipated the city will announce the opening for applications in Spring 2011.