As a recipient of funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of Utica is required to submit an Annual Action Plan for fiscal year 2004-2005.  The City of Utica’s Consolidated Plan and planning process are designed to be a collaborative effort where a unified vision for community development initiatives are put forth.   The city’s comprehensive Citizen Participation Plan brings together a cross section of residents, agencies, business owners, and neighborhood watch groups to discuss our city's strengths, weaknesses and most importantly what is necessary help our city be successful at all levels.  Through these neighborhood meetings, the City of Utica has offered citizens the opportunity to provide input into various housing and community development programs through strategic planning and citizen participation at the local level.  By utilizing information shared at such neighborhood meetings, City officials are able to then identify the specific activities to be carried out during the upcoming fiscal year. 

The Annual Plan for the fiscal year April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005 is included within the Consolidated Plan.  The Action Plan identifies specific activities to be carried out during the upcoming fiscal year and the resources available.  The one year Action Plan includes $3,550,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), $963,000 of HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), and $132,308 Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds and details the use of the 2004-2005 federal dollars in meeting the most urgent needs of the City of Utica's residents. This plan details those needs brought forward directly by the citizens of Utica to Mayor Julian and the staff of the Department of Urban and Economic Development.  The priorities of the Consolidated Plan focus around the areas of Economic Development and Job Creation/Retention, Homeownership Opportunities and Neighborhood Revitalization.  This Annual Plan satisfies the minimum statutory requirements for three HUD formula programs:  Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG).

The City of Utica Department of Urban and Economic Development established three goals which are relative to the major commitments and priorities of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  First, the programs of the City are to provide decent housing and homeownership opportunities.  Covered under this goal are the following: assist those persons in need to obtain safe, decent and affordable housing; retain the affordable housing stock, while increasing the availability of permanent housing that is affordable to low-income individuals without discrimination; assist the elderly who wish to age in place ; and increase supportive housing that includes structural features and services to enable persons with special needs to have quality of life.

Second, the programs of the City shall provide a suitable living environment.  This shall encompass improving the safety and the quality of life of neighborhoods, increasing access to superior facilities and services; reducing the isolation of income groups within the area by improving housing opportunities and revitalizing deteriorating neighborhoods (especially in conjunction with the Hope VI initiative); restoring and preserving natural and physical features of special value for historic, architectural, or aesthetic reasons; and conserving energy resources.

The third goal is that the programs of the City will expand economic opportunities.  Within this goal are creating jobs accessible to low-income persons; providing access to credit for community development that promotes long-term economic and social viability; and empowering low-income persons to achieve self-sufficiency in federally assisted and public housing.  Each of these goals must primarily benefit low-income persons.

The approach to attain these goals must be comprehensive in nature and carry with it an understanding of each of the goals and the means to attain them, are interrelated and need to be promoted as such.  Each of the goals are inclusive of neighborhood revitalization and maintain the ever-present need for an approach to urban and economic development that is unique and comprehensive in nature for this city.

Click here for the complete Consolidated Plan in Microsoft Word format.