[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6153223,"mediaKeyId","5493909-1490901f98569e1c72e851c1101e1aa2","parentId",5493909,"title","Staff reports HUD action plan approval, major property sale and CHDF allocations; warns of tax‑credit market weakness","audioSeconds",188,"startMs",2056000,"endMs",2244000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493909-1490901f98569e1c72e851c1101e1aa2&start=2056&end=2244","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493909-1490901f98569e1c72e851c1101e1aa2/thumbnail_2056000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6153223/New-York/Staff-reports-HUD-action-plan-approval-major-property-sale-and-CHDF-allocations-warns-of-taxcredit-market-weakness","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153223-3e077ad9ae2b98eb46f0e6d012fe921b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770404056&Signature=Nvq4U6dDAWJj~CnZlxFp6LPC0MAlQBOyMz-JMfSfHwtX-78LjvEw12Q7H4~QhrzxjNvYurkyxA8dkrjFgdAQEIM3IzqL0WR00Cy7NXlyBXMlIMuR0Yllxh4-M85Ks5h2i5Qgl-VCTfR8cWX2gdNV2MFToGKkL-tApqsmchbyjZupO33~Jo3Svmtrob2aOFhbxy6b4LukD99l37REsFx-VSaUmn3zDZTusg-MUK3ewGbgR1HkXDJvWaT2kINVx6z~YnTY-eLLEdmhZCgDft7dN5m-7Q7ejYd7ebenWn25-ZioZuLxqOLVU2S7KVt4T~p-jmJiQoEaDTonZj-~xbe9yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ithaca City","date","2025-07-26T02:13:17Z","article","Agency staff reported several items in a staff report: HUD approved the agency’s 2025 action plan; the sale of 309 College Ave (Leesville Fire Station) formally closed for $5,525,000; and the Community Housing Development Fund (CHDF) received roughly $2.6 million in developer contributions and recommended $1.7 million for a slate of affordable‑housing projects.

Staff said HUD’s regional office approved the 2025 action plan, clearing the way for a contract and the associated federal funding. Separately, staff said the agency’s facilitation of the Leesville Fire Station sale completed at about $650 per square foot, with a reported sale price of $5,525,000. Staff described that closing as deferring costs associated with the new fire station project.

On local housing funding, staff said the CHDF received about $2.6 million in contributions required under local CTAP policy for developers who do not provide on‑site affordable housing. The fund recommended about $1.7 million for projects including an INHS project at 209 West State Street (staff cited a $300,000 CHDF award for that project and described it as a mixed‑use proposal with residential units plus a ground‑floor daycare), support for Sears Street for‑sale modular housing, and support for the Village of Ithaca’s Village House supportive youth housing project. Staff said recommended awards will go to funders' decision bodies; the city’s recommended CHDF contribution (for example, $100,000 for Sears Street) will come to common council for final approval.

Staff warned of headwinds in affordable‑housing finance. INHS reported the low‑income housing tax credit market is stressed and tax credits are not fetching previous values, creating challenges for some projects. Staff also summarized federal developments: the House appropriations subcommittee on THUD recommended level funding for CDBG, zero for HOME in its draft markup, and included member items (earmarks). Staff said that markup is a subcommittee recommendation and that final allocations will depend on further House and Senate action.

On housing choice vouchers, staff said local voucher agencies have effectively paused issuing new vouchers when some return because the apparent top‑line appropriations would level‑fund vouchers and not cover rent inflation. As a result, local agencies have reportedly stopped issuing new vouchers to avoid being unable to meet obligations for those already enrolled.

Staff closed by noting that more detailed allocation lists are available on request and that staff will follow legislative developments and report back to the agency as budgets and allocations become clearer.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","07-25-2025 IURA Board Meeting Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","Agency staff said HUD approved the 2025 action plan, reported the $5.525 million sale of 309 College Ave (Leesville Fire Station), and summarized Community Housing Development Fund allocations; staff also noted low‑income housing tax credit market weakness and uncertainty in federal HOME funding and voucher programs.","taxTitle","Ithaca City, Tompkins County, New York","taxId",52738,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6153228,"Agency approves CDBG workout plan after staff warns of spend‑down shortfall",709,935000,1644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493909-1490901f98569e1c72e851c1101e1aa2&start=935&end=1644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493909-1490901f98569e1c72e851c1101e1aa2/thumbnail_935000.jpg","/articles/6153228/New-York/Agency-approves-CDBG-workout-plan-after-staff-warns-of-spenddown-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153228-32081b0cc43a8adaae9bdaf8e50eec66/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430781&Signature=eIwLjTFrSIKi2B-pn1pQHeQRN6fJMHVJiyptEpI6hkUfOz9OwC3~-YU7i1p-Y1midOb~mGuQnnjwmM4L2qoW670-4u3cn2Rimjls7QeigJmgVM4BfepTfkmHtlhhq~092EzMckaINxDWmEynqpysYTKH58aI6Tm0326AX2buxTv4yuI5bHuQt5E0pbnOe6yFnws4z9NArkgl8xYNouSJqdnw7rmjxwtPwAezAHwtE5I8SoS0CdHZzm1PPJB9rXza5W1GfoPWGZOXgXPm0cPAWJdZo~G13-3gHpkju0TSTm0ZeAxFMUDVJoXCW1-IMurSXrAjk2OdantRervJc8fGbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The agency approved a workout plan and directed staff to submit it to HUD after staff reported the jurisdiction had not met HUD’s CDBG spend‑down ratio and faced a timeline to correct the shortfall. The resolution to approve the workout plan was moved and seconded and carried unanimously.

Agency staff explained that HUD’s current policy requires communities that miss the 1.5 spend‑down ratio to bring their account back into compliance within 12 months or face a reduction in future CDBG allocations. Staff said the agency’s grant summary showed the community was roughly $70,000 short of meeting the ratio at the most recent snapshot and recommended more explicit monthly tracking and earlier contingency planning.

Staff told the agency that CDBG expenditures are \"lumpy\" and that some larger capital projects can spend in one payment. As an example, staff described the Cecil Malone sidewalk project: the city bundled that work into a citywide contract in order to attract bidders, then deferred the Cecil Malone portion to later in the contractor’s schedule, which delayed the expected spend‑down timing. Staff said that project should complete this summer and produce eligible expenditures for reimbursement.

Staff also identified candidate backup projects to meet spend‑down needs if necessary. One identified option is a change order to add missing Cherry Street sidewalk components to an existing contract; staff estimated that Cherry Street work at roughly $75,000 could qualify as an eligible public‑facilities expenditure if the contractor agrees to the change order. Staff said the INHS homeowner rehab program still has more than $200,000 remaining to disburse and that the economic development (ED) revolving loan fund has accumulated program income (roughly $275,000 by staff’s account) that HUD now treats as part of the available drawdown and thus can affect the spend‑down calculation.

Staff recommended the agency develop a backup project or reprogram funds sooner rather than later and review the agency’s portfolio by November to decide on reprogramming or other measures. Staff noted that reprogramming amounts above $25,000 generally require a formal amendment and a council public hearing. Committee members asked whether substantial amendments would require public components; staff replied that a formal public hearing before common council is required for substantial amendments and that a shorter (approximately 15‑day) public comment period is typical for amendments.

Committee members and staff also discussed programmatic constraints: the agency is capped on public‑service spending, so any backup project would need to fall into housing, public facilities or economic development categories. Staff said they had begun outreach with city partners and project sponsors to identify feasible, eligible projects that could spend down in time.

The agency moved the resolution to approve the CDBG workout plan, Siobhan seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Staff said they will add monthly tracking lines to grant summaries to show deviations from schedule and will return to the agency and relevant committees as candidate projects are identified for reprogramming if needed.","The agency approved a workout plan to address a possible CDBG spend‑down shortfall after staff reported the jurisdiction was about $70,000 short of HUD’s 1.5 spend‑down ratio and recommended developing backup projects and monthly tracking.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6153233,"Agency approves rent deferment for farmers market; market warns of parking, interest costs",93,24000,117000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493909-1490901f98569e1c72e851c1101e1aa2&start=24&end=117","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493909-1490901f98569e1c72e851c1101e1aa2/thumbnail_24000.jpg","/articles/6153233/New-York/Agency-approves-rent-deferment-for-farmers-market-market-warns-of-parking-interest-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6153233-c4305a0719b6db1ce416d2db9d4005e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430781&Signature=lfsNHox7QrcKGDiJy2UNSwYz9qPt13IyjZFmStgy01tWZ9XV58nifpoQK2xS~ulbxary7guX-t72GRHGza6N5XE05E4J3-c-v~Eyz6jth3yzM7JsBVlKM9sY154piQiH1puWERwhrxPApuoFZo7ltXWWrzHjfbvJH48BzQRJJtYMeea6jp0moxAO3At30X3hR5e2f07ONP991ebzg38nUGWzbBd1qUrE-n2rJ87SghI0cdXlnaUbeF4b185zpWBY1wGjQk83h314QsTnpqi3tztrPE2054IXbPl0Czo06iEW2LrYMztAyLak0zn~wAbwSDxmZaZFQQ-XOVFGEWSF~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The agency voted to defer rent for the farmers market through Dec. 1 to ease an immediate cash‑flow shortfall while the market awaits state grant reimbursements and continues a capital fundraising campaign. The resolution to provide the rent deferment carried at the meeting after a short discussion.

Market representative Monica, speaking to the agency, said the market holds its capital budget in a separate account but that the operating budget has been strained by parking costs and loan interest tied to a state reimbursement schedule. \"By the end of the year, we'll have another $81,000 that we are obligated,\" Monica said, citing monthly interest and parking expenses.

The market has been renting an adjacent lot at Arnott; rent there began at $6,000 per month and was renegotiated down to $600 per month, Monica said. The market also has paid for parking attendants tied to that contract; Monica estimated attendant and related costs at roughly $40,000 per year. In addition, she said borrowing to cover interim costs has driven interest expenses that she estimated at about $16,000 per month.

Monica told the agency that the state grant program requires the market to front expenditures and then request reimbursement, a process she described as taking about six months for the market’s past reimbursements. She said the market used a loan from Farm Credit East to bridge construction payments but that the loan did not cover attendant or some other operating costs.

The market's fundraising campaign remains active: Monica said a separate capital fundraiser raised $600,000 that met the state match in 2024 and that the market organizers are currently seeking an additional $350,000 through a friends' campaign to cover outstanding obligations including roughly $200,000 of short‑term borrowing, $50,000 in campaign expenses, and a remaining $100,000 owed to the Park Foundation.

Agency members asked about timing and cash flow. A member asked whether the state would reimburse by Dec. 1 so the market could resume normal rent payments; Monica said she was confident that the market’s budget and ongoing revenue streams (weekly vendor fees and event rentals) would permit the market to remit the deferred rent when reimbursements arrive. She also said the city’s processing of state checks had improved in recent months.

Market staff and agency members discussed parking mitigation steps for visitors who cannot use the on‑site lot. Monica said the newly redone lot is about 90% complete and that final plantings, signage, striping and a small pavement correction remain. She said the market is preparing a map, with funding from a farm‑to‑fork CVB program, to show alternative neighborhood parking, bike access and walking routes for visitors.

The agency’s motion to defer rent through Dec. 1 carried at the meeting. The agency directed staff to record the deferment in its lease reports; agency staff said the market had submitted a check that will be handled consistent with the deferral decision.

For now, the agency and market staff characterized the vote as a short‑term cash‑flow measure. Monica said the deferral “will help ease the pain a little” and emphasized that fundraising and reimbursement timing will determine whether the market can fully restore normal operations and eliminate attendant and temporary parking costs.

The agency and market representatives agreed to continue monitoring reimbursements, fundraising progress and parking costs and to revisit financial decisions if reimbursements or fundraising fall short of the market’s current plan.","The agency approved a rent deferment through Dec. 1 for the local farmers market while staff and market organizers said rising parking and interest costs are straining the market’s operating budget and that fund‑raising remains critical.","actionData","errors"]

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Staff reports HUD action plan approval, major property sale and CHDF allocations; warns of tax‑credit market weakness

Agency approves CDBG workout plan after staff warns of spend‑down shortfall

Agency approves rent deferment for farmers market; market warns of parking, interest costs