Community Development

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program supports community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities. To support community development, activities are identified through an ongoing process. Activities may address needs such as infrastructure, economic development projects, public facilities installation, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, homeowner assistance, and other necessary projects.

At the City of Scranton, the Office of Community Development has disbursed CARES Act funds for activities that benefited low- and moderate-income persons by providing housing, a permanent job, and other public services. CARES Act also provided funds for improved infrastructure and elimination of blighted conditions. Other CDBG funds have been used both directly and indirectly in low/moderate income areas of the City for Health and Wellness Programs, Police and Fire Department Equipment, Childcare Services, Non-Profit Organizations, Social Services, Streetscapes, and other Public Services.

Low/Moderate Income limits are strictly monitored on local, state, and national levels to ensure that funds are disbursed appropriately, as per the eligibility criteria following: CDBG funds may be used by the grantee or other public or private nonprofit entities for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or installation, of public improvements or facilities. The regulations further specify that facilities that are designed for use in providing shelter for persons having special needs are considered to be public facilities.

Applicants must be incorporated for profit, nonprofit, or public organizations or businesses able to undertake the approved activity within the boundaries of the City of Scranton. Applicants must demonstrate the financial management and programmatic expertise to successfully develop, design, implement and monitor the proposed activities. This expertise can be demonstrated through previous experience in successfully developing projects, either by partners or key staff within the business or organization. And finally, applicants must be able to meet other federal requirements relative to the CDBG program, specifically those concerning equal opportunity and fair housing, affirmative marketing, environmental review, displacement, relocation, and acquisition, labor, lead-based paint, conflict of interest, debarment and suspension, and flood insurance. Federal requirements do apply and include those listed in 24 CFR Part 570. The funds must be used for activities that meet a CDBG National Objective: provide primary benefit to lower-income persons or households, or aid in the elimination of slums or blight or meet other identified community development needs having a particular urgency.

Guidelines are found here.

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program focuses on assisting people to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness. This program became especially critical since the onset of COVID19 and the decrease in immediate housing for persons in this situation.

The City of Scranton provides these funds for emergency shelter, re-housing, homeless prevention, and crisis intervention, in partnership with organizations such as St. Joseph’s Center, Catherine McAuley Center, United Neighborhood Centers, Community Intervention Center, Catholic Social Services, Women’s Resource Center and other organizations that meet the criteria of one or more of the following: engage homeless individuals and families living on the street, improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families, help operate these shelters, provide essential services to shelter residents, rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families, and/or prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless.

Applicants must be incorporated for profit, nonprofit, or public organizations or businesses able to undertake the approved activity within the boundaries of the City of Scranton. Applicants must demonstrate the financial management and programmatic expertise to successfully develop, design, implement and monitor the proposed activities. This expertise can be demonstrated through previous experience in successfully developing projects, either by partners or key staff within the business or organization. And finally, applicants must be able to meet other federal requirements relative to the CDBG program, specifically those concerning equal opportunity and fair housing, affirmative marketing, environmental review, displacement, relocation, and acquisition, labor, lead-based paint, conflict of interest, debarment and suspension, and flood insurance. Federal requirements do apply and include those listed in 24 CFR Part 570. The funds must be used for activities that meet a CDBG National Objective: provide primary benefit to lower-income persons or households, or aid in the elimination of slums or blight or meet other identified community development needs having a particular urgency.

Guidelines are found here.

The City of Scranton’s Housing Rehabilitation Program is designed to assist low-income families in the City by bringing their homes up to code.

To be eligible for this program the applicant must own the home, use the home as principle residence, be up to date with all City of Scranton taxes and fees, and are income eligible. This work would include general construction, electrical and mechanical rehabilitation.

HOME, or the Home Investment Partnership Programs administered by Housing and Urban Development provide grants to state and local governments to create affordable housing for low-income households. HOME funds a wide range of activities including constructing, acquiring, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income households.

Listed below please find the revised income limits for low income and very low-income families, developed in accordance with Section 3(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 as amended, and with Title VIII of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990.  The referenced limits, as set forth by dollar amount and family sizes are now effective and should henceforth be utilized to define low and moderate-income persons for those direct benefit activities where current household income data has been obtained.