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Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA)
Mission Statement
The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency secures and manages resources to improve the social, physical, and economic characteristics of the City of Ithaca by expanding access to quality affordable housing, strengthening neighborhoods and the local economy, and supporting other community development activities.
Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Program (CDBG-CV) / Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic
Security Act (CARES Act)
As part of The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security Act (CARES Act), additional CDBG funding (“CDBG-CV”) was awarded to the City of Ithaca from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City was allocated $401,624.00, of which $321,299.20 is available to fund projects. The CARES Act adds additional flexibility for the CDBG-CV grant in these unprecedented times. The Public Comment period was reduced to not less than 5 days. Waivers and alternative requirements can be granted when necessary to expedite and facilitate the use of funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. CDBG-CV grants are subject to oversight, reporting, and requirements that each grantee has adequate procedures to prevent the duplication of benefits. The IURA Board determined it would follow a two-pronged approach to identify recommended uses of CDBG-CV funding:
• Directed activities to address priority needs where a capable sponsor is pre-identified.
• Activities selected through an open competitive process.
The IURA Board also preliminarily identified the following priority community needs:
1. Renter households whose ability to pay rent has been reduced by COVID-19 impacts.
2. COVID-related relief, prevention, or recovery of persons experiencing homelessness.
3. Small businesses adversely impacted by public health mandates and guidelines.
4. Anchor non-profits entities with at least 51% earned income adversely impacted by public health mandates and guidelines.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
The first allocation of CDBG-CV funds was awarded to Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) to assist renter households by providing $190,000 towards the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), leaving $131,299.20 unallocated.
Program Launch Dates by County
June 8: Schuyler & Seneca Counties
June 15: Tioga & Tompkins Counties
INHS Q&A Video Presentation Excerpt
Please click on the following link to go to the INHS application web page:
INHS COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program
CDBG-CV Funding Proposals
The IURA also issued a Call for Funding Proposals for uses of CDBG-CV funds, with a May 26, 2020 deadline. It received 17 applications (accessible further below) and initially reviewed them at the 5/28/20 IURA Board meeting, a video recording of which can be view via the following link: 5/28/20 IURA Board Meeting Video Recording. The IURA Board subsequently scheduled a special meeting for 6/4/20 (link to YouTube recording), at which it made the following funding recommendations:
CDBG-CV: Recommended Project Funding Table (2nd Allocation) (6/4/20)
2020 CDBG-CV All Applications Received (5/26/20)
CDBG-CV & 2020 Action Plan: Virtual Public Hearing Participation Instructions
2020 HUD Entitlement Program
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program
City of Ithaca/IURA 2020 Action Plan
The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) received 23 funding applications for projects to be included in the City of Ithaca’s draft 2020 Annual Action Plan. Approximately $682,732 in CDBG and $335,173 in HOME funds are expected to be available from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for affordable housing, public facilities/infrastructure, economic development, and public services projects. Projects must principally benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) people, or remove slum/blighting conditions in the City. Community groups, businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals were all invited to submit proposals for projects to be funded through these programs. Eligible types of projects include: AFFORDABLE HOUSING; ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; PUBLIC SERVICES; & PUBLIC FACILITIES. The 2020 HUD Entitlement Program two-part Public Hearing (8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, March 26, 2020 and 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, April 2, 2020) was conducted remotely, using the online video conferencing service provider: Zoom. Links to the Public Hearing recordings have been posted below.
- Public Hearing #1: 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, March 26, 2020
- Link to Zoom Video Recording (MP4 File) (570 MB)
- Public Hearing #1 (cont.): 8:30-11:30 A.M., Thursday, April 2, 2020
- Link to Zoom Video Recording (MP4 File) (421 MB)
2020 Adopted Action Plan
2020 Adopted Action Plan Summary Table
List of 2020 Funded Activities
Activity | Sponsor | Amount |
Small Repair Program | Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) | $32,500.00 |
Founder’s Way For-Sale Townhomes | Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) | $200,000.00 |
Northside Apartments | Cayuga Housing Development Corporation | $90,877.94 |
Security Deposit Assistance for Vulnerable Households | Catholic Charities | $76,416.48 |
Security Deposit Assistance Delivery | Catholic Charities | $2,500.00 |
ReUse Job Skills Training & Employment Connections | Finger Lakes ReUse | $75,000.00 |
Work Preserve Job Training: Job Placements | Historic Ithaca | $67,500.00 |
Hospitality Employment Training Program (HETP) | Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) | $75,000.00 |
Reimagining Ithaca Community Gardens | Project Growing Hope | $25,150.00 |
Food Pantry Mechanical Dock Leveler | Tompkins Community Action | $14,470.00 |
ADA Curb Ramps at West Village/Elm St. Bus Stop | IURA | $11,000.00 |
GO ITHACA Low-Income Support | Center for Community Transportation | $12,200.00 |
2-1-1 Information & Referral | Human Services Coalition | $20,000.00 |
Work Preserve Job Training: Job Readiness | Historic Ithaca | $20,000.00 |
Immigrant Services Program | Catholic Charities | $30,000.00 |
Economic Development Loan Fund | IURA | $255,917.61 |
CDBG Administration | IURA | $136,546.40 |
HOME Administration | IURA | $33,517.30 |
TOTAL: | $1,178,595.73 |
This list includes allocation of anticipated CDBG and HOME awards of $682,732 and $335,173, respectively, and allocation of $160,690.73 from anticipated repayments of prior-year economic development loans and other funds.
More Information: Please contact Anisa Mendizabal, Community Development Planner: amendizabal@cityofithaca.org.
Green Street Garage Redevelopment Proposal
Disposition & Development Agreement (DDA) w. Attachments (9/5/19)
The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency (IURA) solicited proposals to redevelop the Green Street Parking Garage site for a project that increases housing choices and retains sufficient parking to meet current parking utilization, as well as additional parking demand created by the project. Other preferred uses include ground-level active uses on Green Street and a conference center. The IURA is authorized to negotiate the property sales price and the development program, subject to final City of Ithaca Common Council approval. The IURA seeks fair market value for the property, but expects deductions in consideration of community benefits provided by the project (e.g., below-market housing; reconstruction of public parking at developer’s expense). At its April 26, 2018 meeting, the IURA Board voted to re-open the original RFP process with a June 1, 2018 deadline for the submission of applicant qualifications. The following three such applications were received: Visum Development Group; Harold's Holdings; Vecino Group. The following four complete applications were subsequently received by the July 31, 2018 deadline. The RFP and all associated documents can be viewed at the following link: http://www.cityofithaca.org/bids.aspx?bidID=71.
RFP APPLICATIONS RECEIVED:
McKinley Development Proposal (3/1/18)
Visum Development Group Proposal (7/31/18)
Vecino Group Proposal (7/31/18)
Harold's Holdings Proposal (7/31/18)
IURA QUESTIONS & APPLICANT/STAFF RESPONSES:
Green St. Garage: Harold's Holdings - Response to IURA Questions (9/10/18)
Green St. Garage: Ithaca-Peak Development - Clarifications to Response to IURA Questions (9/11/18)
Green St. Garage: Ithaca-Peak Development - Response to IURA Questions (9/11/18)
Green St. Garage: Vecino Group - Response to IURA Questions (9/7/18)
Green St. Garage: Visum-Newman - Response to IURA Questions (9/7/18)
Green St. Garage: IURA Questions to Developers (10/5/18)
Green St. Garage: IURA Staff Responses to 10/5/18 IURA Questions
Green St. Garage: Responses to IURA Questions - Harold's Holdings (10/19/18)
Green St. Garage: Responses to IURA Questions - Newman-Visum (10/19/18)
Green St. Garage: Responses to IURA Questions - Vecino Group (Oct. 2018)
Green St. Garage: Report - Economic Benefit of Conference Center
Green St. Garage: IURA Questions to Top Two Applicants (11/5/18)
CURRENT PROGRESS STATUS:
The IURA Economic Development Committee (EDC) initially reviewed and discussed the applications at its August 21, 2018 meeting. On September 14, 2018, the Committee reviewed and numerically ranked the four applications, which formed the basis of its recommendation to the IURA Board. The IURA Board reviewed and discussed the rankings at its September 27th, 2018 meeting (including a Public Hearing), and subsequently ranked the four applications on October 25, 2018 (see image of table further below), recommending the top two projects to Common Council for discussion: Vecino Group New York, LLC and Newman Development Group, LLC. A joint Common Council-IURA Board meeting was held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 to discuss the project and the two top-ranked proposals. A variety of additional questions and concerns were brought up at the meeting, which both applicants addressed in the following two documents:
Green Street Garage: Vecino Group - Final Proposal/Responses with Addendum (11/30/18)
Green Street Garage: Visum Development Group - Final Proposal/Responses (11/30/18)
On December 13, 2018, the IURA Board met, reviewed additional documents from the applicants, listened to additional public comments, and unanimously adopted a resolution designating Vecino Group New York, LLC as the preferred developer and “qualified and eligible sponsor,” authorizing entry into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) period with the sponsor for the purpose of structuring a proposed Disposition and Development Agreement. The Disposition and Development Agreement shall be subject to approval by both the IURA Board and the Common Council:
Disposition & Development Agreement (DDA) w. Attachments (9/5/19)
Green St. Garage Redevelopment: Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) (4/11/19)
Assessment of Fair Housing
The Assessment of Fair Housing is available for review via the link below:
http://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/View/6952
You can also view the Assessment of Fair Housing Goal Summary Table via the following link:
http://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/View/7134
Please contact the following person with any questions:
Anisa Mendizabal
Community Development Planner
AMendizabal@cityofithaca.org
WHAT IS THE ASSESSMENT OF FAIR HOUSING (AFH)?
The AFH is an updated approach to looking at the fair housing landscape in order to set locally determined fair housing priorities and goals (e.g., are Ithaca residents able to achieve their housing goals; have Ithaca residents ever been treated unfairly in regard to housing; what could improve Ithaca residents' housing situations).
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Data & Mapping Tool
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule requires cities and towns receiving HUD funding to examine their housing patterns for evidence of housing discrimination. To facilitate this process, HUD created the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Data and Mapping Tool (AFFHT), a publicly accessible interactive web site for conducting the fair housing analyses required by AFFH. AFFHT is a public-facing application, so there are no user registration or access requirements. All users have the same basic permission to use the site. You can access the AFFHT by clicking on the following link:
https://egis.hud.gov/affht
Once you land on the AFFHT web site, you’ll see an introductory pop-up window, where you'll be asked to select the state and jurisdiction you’re looking for, and whether you want to view just that specific jurisdiction’s map, or a map of the entire region. You will then be taken to a subsequent screen where you'll be asked to select a type of map (e.g., "Race/Ethnicity," "Housing Choice Vouchers & Race/Ethnicity," "Demographics & Job Proximity, "Demographics & Environmental Health"). Once you find the type of map you're looking for, click on the "Go to Map" button located at the bottom-right of the application wizard. Depending on the type of map you select, you may then be asked to choose a specific data set for the map (e.g., "Race/Ethnicity Trends, 1990" or "Race/Ethnicity Trends, 2000"). For more detailed information about each map, including illustrated instructions on how to use the mapping tool, please refer to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) User Guide at the following link: https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/AFFH-Data-and-Mapping-Tool-User-Guide.pdf.
You can also click on the following link to go to a page containing tools, guidance, training, data/mapping, and other resources related to the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/affh/resources/#tools-for-fair-housing-planning-under-the-affh-rule.
Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) Data Tables
- AFH Data Table: Table 1 - Demographics (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 2 - Demographic Trends (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 3 - Racial/Ethnic Dissimilarity Trends (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 4 - Racially/Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty (RECAPs) (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 5 - Publicly Supported Hsng. Units by Program Category (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 6 - Publicly Supported Households by Race/Ethnicity (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 7 - RECAP/Non-RECAP Demographics by Publicly Supported Hsng. Prg. (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 8 - Demographics of Publicly Supported Hsng. Develpts. by Prgm. (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 9 - Demographics of Households w. Disproportionate Housing Needs (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 10 - Demographics of Households with Severe Housing Cost Burden (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 11 - Publ. Supp. Hsng. by Prgrm. Cat. - Units by No. Bdrms.-Child. (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 12 - Opportunity Indicators by Race/Ethnicity (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 13 - Disability by Type (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 14 - Disability by Age Group (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 15 - Disability by Publicly Supported Housing Program Category (5/31/17)
- AFH Data Table: Table 16 - Homeownership/Rental Rates by Race/Ethnicity (5/31/17)