Bill > A07528

This bill establishes a demonstration program called the Community Improvement Grant Program, administered by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, specifically targeting municipalities with populations under one million that have a significant number of vacant, deteriorated, or obsolete residential properties. The program creates citizens' participation committees in these municipalities to direct grant expenditures and develop comprehensive neighborhood improvement plans. These committees, composed of local representatives from charitable, business, social service, and faith-based organizations, along with interested citizens, will have the authority to use grants for activities such as property acquisition, demolition, selective rehabilitation, neighborhood beautification, and mini-grants to individual property owners. Grants can be used to acquire tax-delinquent or abandoned properties, with a preference for transferring vacant land to adjacent homeowners for minimal cost. The committees must develop democratic, inclusive processes and are prohibited from receiving personal compensation. The program's underlying goal is to revitalize struggling communities by empowering local residents to address housing stock issues, prevent neighborhood decline, and improve quality of life, while also preserving open spaces and supporting moderate-income homeownership.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7528