Press release:
The City of Batavia is “All In” to revitalize our city through economic development and housing programs that will raise our standard of living and make our community one of the most attractive places, to live, work, and play.
The City is considering applying for Federal grant assistance to help income eligible owner-occupied single-family homeowners with essential home improvements.
Sometimes the smallest things we can do for our neighborhoods can have the biggest impact. Home improvements are a catalyst for changing the look and feel of a neighborhood and improving residents’ quality of life.
Here in Batavia, Summit Street is a perfect example of a street coming back to life with vibrancy and is now a model for other transformations across our City. When one resident makes improvements to their home, others follow.
Grant funds would enable homeowners to make home repairs with grant and deferred-loan funding. Any single-family homeowner is encouraged to apply.
If you own a single-family home in need of repairs please download the survey from the City’s “Useful Links” tab on the City’s homepage at www.batavianewyork.com. Click on Residential Rehabilitation Survey or pick up a survey in the City Manager’s office at City Hall.
Surveys will also be available at the Richmond Memorial Library (19 Ross St.) the week of March 18th.
The City’s goals include the following:
1. Create a viable urban community with decent housing.
2. Ensure a suitable living environment for all (safe, sanitary and habitable dwellings).
3. Expanding economic opportunities for all including persons of low to moderate income.
4. Rehabilitate the City knowing that it starts with one building at a time.
The City of Batavia is requesting your full cooperation to help us obtain housing rehabilitation grant funding. Please complete and mail in or drop off the surveys to the City Manager’s Office, One Batavia City Centre, Batavia, New York, 14020.
It's great to see the city
It's great to see the city applying for these types of grants. Hopefully a lot of people take advantage of this grant (if we get it).
As former founder of Rent2Own
A GREAT FIRST STEP --- MORE IS NEEDED. As former founder of a Rent2Own non-profit, it has been our experience that pride in home ownership can also help lower crime. I would love to see an effort to raise awareness on the FICO score system and how to budget in preparation to BUY a home. It is my opinion the housing solution Batavia seeks will NOT be found in building city-owned apartments that profit a limited few. The solution is in raising awareness of potential home owners. Having walked the pavement to speak with both individuals and families, I have learned that very few renters understand the tools available to them; tools to achieve a higher goal such as buying a home. Batavia has a FEW landlords who own MANY apartments, MOST of which exploit Section 8 housing. What the general public does not know is that Section 8 housing will also PAY FOR A HOUSE PAYMENT with the right program! This, and similar knowledge, can change lives, lower crime, increase property values, and increase the tax base for the City of Batavia. Good job City Council! Let's keep it moving forward by helping people better help themselves and using less tax dollar based grants. .