Mayor wants to use grants to ranze some buildings, repair others - Buffalo News
Buffalo's push to tear down vacant eyesores and rehabilitate many structures would be intensified under a plan Mayor Byron W. Brown submitted today for spending federal block grants.
The $21.7 million application for anti-poverty funds also includes an increase in aid to several human services agencies and funding for a new weatherization program. The latter would allow eligible homeowners to apply for insulation and weather stripping improvements. The program would be tied into a local program that would refer home improvement work to contractors who have completed training.
The Common Council met in special session today to receive the mayor's proposal for spending anticipated federal aid. Lawmakers will begin formal reviews of the budget next week. The city must submit its application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in mid-March, city officials said.
Funding for housing rehabilitation would be increased by $1 million under the plan, while money for demolitions would be increased by $200,000.