Duties

The Saratoga Springs Office of Community Development works to advance the City Council's goals of increasing access to affordable housing, improving the living environment, and expanding economic opportunities for persons of low and moderate income.

History

The Office of Community Development was created in 1975 to implement City programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Since qualifying for Entitlement Grant funds in 1994, the City has utilized these dollars to develop affordable housing, establish residential rehabilitation grant and loan programs, provide funding for public improvement projects in low and moderate income areas of the city, and support a host of legal, education and outreach programs for low and moderate income residents.

​Economic Development Revolving Loan Program

The City of Saratoga Springs established, and recently expanded the Economic Development Revolving Loan Program to stimulate job creation, and support job retention, for residents of low-moderate income. The program helps to subsidize these job opportunities, and preserve jobs that would otherwise be lost by offering low interest loans to businesses physically located within the City of Saratoga Springs. Read more here.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

Typically, sub-grantee applications are available during the month of December to organizations interested in applying to the City of Saratoga Springs for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Funds for each program year (July 1 – June 30). These funds are designed to assist activities that address community development needs as prioritized in the City’s Consolidated Plan, and that benefit persons of low and moderate income. Eligible activities may include public services; affordable housing creation, construction and rehabilitation; infrastructure improvements; and other federally eligible activities.

2021 CDBG Program Year Sub-grantee Application Period is OPEN - March 5th

The Community Development Department is currently accepting sub-grantee applications for the 2021 CDBG Program Year. The 2021 Entitlement grant from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development is expected to be approximately $308,705. Guidance and application materials are available below. Completed applications will be due to the Office of Community Development via online submission by 4:30 PM on Friday, March 5, 2021.

2021 CDBG Program Year Anticipated Schedule of Events
January 15th - Friday	2021 Entitlement funding applications and guidelines available (below)
March 5th - Friday	Application deadline (due no later than 4:30 pm)
March 15th - Monday	Public Application Hearing #1: 6:00pm on Zoom  (Registration info and link to be released)
March 17th - Wed	Public Application Hearing #2: 6:00pm on Zoom  (Registration info and link to be released)
March 30th - Tuesday	CDCAC presents funding recommendations to City Council
March 31st – April 30th	2021 Entitlement Action Plan Public Comment Period
April 20th - Tuesday	Public Hearing on recommended 2021 Entitlement Action Plan
May 4th - Tuesday	City Council vote on 2021 Entitlement Action Plan
May 10th - Monday	Submission of 2021 Entitlement Action Plan to HUD-Buffalo
July 1st - Thursday	2021 Program Year begins
Sept – Oct 2021	Anticipated receipt of HUD Grant Agreement and Release of Funds

Questions should be directed to the Community Development Planner at lindsey.connors@saratoga-springs.org.