Community Development Programs

The Community Development staff is responsible for overseeing state and federal grants intended to improve the quality of life for the City’s residents and businesses. Our Department administers the federal entitlement Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) grant received by the City of Utica each year.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

CDBG funds help to provide a sustainable living environment, as well as expand economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. These funds can support community programs and initiatives such as (but not limited to) Senior Centers, Transportation programs, After-School programs, Youth “Green Teams” for neighborhood beautification, Residential Caregiving, Tutoring/Mentoring programs, Homeowner Rehabilitation programs, Preservation programs, Sidewalk reconstruction, Paving and Demolition.

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program

The ESG Program assists homeless persons by providing basic shelter and essential supportive services outlined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to households facing the challenges of homelessness.

The four categories of homelessness as outlined in HUD Rule §578.3 are:

Category 1: Literally Homeless

Category 2: Imminent Risk of Homelessness

Category 3: Homeless Under Other Federal Statutes

Category 4: Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence.

These funds can support homeless service providers by funding Emergency Shelters, Homeless Street Outreach Programs to work with and encourage the homeless in their current environment to accept services, Homeless Prevention Programs to assist with back rent and arrears when facing preventable eviction, and Rapid Re-housing programs for those who are already or have recently become homeless.  

Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME)

The HOME Program helps to expand the supply of decent, affordable housing for low and very low-income families by offering financial incentives to developers and other community partners, providing these critical funds to support their efforts in these areas.

2025-2026 CDBG Application
2025-2026 HOME Application - Project Application
2025-2026 ESG Application
(Download for Fillable PDFs)

2023-2024 CAPER

Lead Paint Hazard Reduction
The City of Utica, in partnership with the UNHS Homeownership Center and with a Lead Paint Hazard Reduction grant from HUD, is in the process of conducting a Lead Paint Hazard Reduction program within the City of Utica. Information on this program can be found at https://unhs.org/lead-safe-utica/.

As a requirement of the grant, a Lead-Safe Housing registry has been created, and will be updated on a quarterly basis until the conclusion of the grant. The registry can be viewed in the PDF here.