The Cheektowaga Office of Economic and Community Development administers Community Development Block Grant funds provided to the Town by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The primary goal of the Community Development Program is to develop and maintain viable communities with respect to housing, neighborhoods and economic opportunities. The flexibility built into the CDBG Program allows communities to achieve Program goals while addressing their local needs through a variety of ways. Each activity undertaken must meet one of the following three national objectives:
- benefit low-to-moderate income persons either on an individual level
or on an area-wide basis;
- aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; and,
- meet a need having a particular urgency.
Since the program’s inception in 1975, the Town has utilized CDBG funds for many activities, including housing rehabilitation, demolition of dilapidated structures, drainage and sewer improvements in income-eligible neighborhoods, road reconstruction, sidewalk replacement, installation of playground equipment in Town parks and playgrounds, economic development activities, summer day camp, housing counseling, neighborhood police foot patrols, purchase of senior citizen vans, senior citizen outreach assistance and senior citizen housing.
In 2009, the Town will receive approximately $1.04 million. In order to obtain public input regarding CDBG program activities, the Town holds two public hearings annually; one in October and one in January. Notice of these hearings is published in the Cheektowaga Bee newspaper. Public input is always welcome by the Community Development Office.
The Town, in partnership with the Towns of Amherst and Tonawanda, also receives federal funds for housing activities through the HOME Investment Partnership Act grant program. HOME funds can be used for housing related activities such as housing rehabilitation, new construction and first-time homebuyer assistance.
Community Development Draft FY 2009 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
The Office of Community Development has completed the draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for federal fiscal year 2009 (April 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010). The CAPER has been revised and is available for review through the Community Development webpage (see Document Center), area libraries and the Town Clerk’s Office until August 6th. The CAPER is scheduled to be submitted to the HUD Buffalo Office by June 30th. All public comments should be made to the Office of Community Development, 275 Alexander Avenue, Cheektowaga, New York 14211. Phone # - 897-7200. Email: jgabryszak@tocny.org