The Westchester County Department of Planning is celebrating National Community Development Week from April 21 through 25. Each year, the County recognizes the impact and success of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program on municipalities in Westchester County.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Over the years Westchester County has truly seen the value in the CDBG program, and in many cases CDBG funding has been what makes the difference in getting projects across the finish line. Across the 31 communities that participate in the Urban County Consortium, CDBG funds have been used for sidewalk repairs, to make park improvements, and fund handicapped accessible vans. This program ultimately helps to improve the quality of life for Westchester’s residents, and during Community Development Week, we recognize our Planning Department for all that they do.”
Commissioner of Planning Blanca Lopez said: “The CDBG program is vital for many of our communities and residents in Westchester County. It transforms communities by providing safe, affordable and accessible housing, expanding broadband infrastructure, supporting elderly and youth programs, renovating playgrounds and enhancing pedestrian connectivity and safety. None of this would be possible without the dedication and hard work of the Planning Department professionals who make this program a success year after year. As we celebrate National Community Development Week, we proudly recognize staff whose efforts make CDBG work for our communities”
The CDBG program was created under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to provide infrastructure, safe, affordable and accessible housing, and a variety of public programs to low to moderate income citizens. The County started administering the program in 1976, and to date it has distributed over $211 million to Consortium communities and other entities such as housing authorities and nonprofit organizations.
Each year, Westchester County receives a federal allocation from HUD to fund the County’s CDBG program, which includes funding for the Emergency Solutions Program – a homelessness prevention program and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program – which funds a variety of affordable housing development activities.
The Planning Department administers these funds on behalf of the municipalities that belong to the Urban County Consortium. The Consortium is made up of 31 municipalities (1 city, 6 towns and 23 villages) that use CDBG funding to address their infrastructure, social services and economic development needs at the local level.