CANTON -- St. Lawrence County will hold a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 11 to give County residents the opportunity to learn about the Community Development Block Grant Program.  Federal regulations require that applicants for grant assistance provide an opportunity for the public to become aware of the CDBG program.  The hearing will be held at 5:40 pm in Board of Legislators Chamber in the County Courthouse, 48 Court Street in Canton.

 Staff from the County Planning Office will also provide an overview of the County’s application to fund its second round of the Countywide Housing Rehabilitation Program (CHRP 2).  The County will apply for $850,000 to assist income-eligible owner-occupants and renters to make their homes safe and decent.  If funded, the County expects that the CHRP will assist 22 - 25 LMI households to rehabilitate their homes to HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS).  These standards will meet building codes, with an emphasis on energy efficiency. 

According to Keith Zimmerman, Planning Director, “We will be looking to assist those households with the lowest incomes living in the most deteriorated housing conditions – wherever they may live in the County.”  Zimmerman also stated that special populations (disabled; elderly) will be a primary focus of the CHRP.

Persons with low to moderate incomes who think that they can benefit from a Countywide housing rehabilitation program are invited to attend the public hearing to learn about and comment on the project.  Persons with special needs who could benefit from the project are particularly encouraged to attend.