Politics & Government

Mineola to Seek $555,000 in Block Grant Funding

Federal funds would improve parking, residential rehabilitation.

Every year a pool of Federal money known as Community Development Block Grant funds are made available to villages like Mineola in order to improve the lives of residents in both public and private spaces.

This year the Village of Mineola is applying for $555,000 total in block grant funding: $175,000 for residential rehabilitation throughout the village, $75,000 for code enforcement to enforce illegal housing, $280,000 for downtown parking improvements and $25,000 to improve handicapped accessibility throughout the village. The village must apply for the amount each year and does not necessarily receive the amount for which they apply.

As part of the application, the village is required to hold an annual hearing to discuss how they would use Community Development Block Grant funds for the next calendar year. The  had already  in 2010, the 36th year Mineola has received such funding, last Wednesday night at the . 

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The village’s block grant application goes through County representative , R-New Hyde Park. The county would work with the village to see what moneys would be distributed.

Described as “Federal passthroughs,” the moneys are federal funds which are then distributed through the county government to the local municipalities. The Federal funds are distributed to the Department of Housing and Governmental Affairs of Nassau County and are administered to municipalities on a need basis.

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The purpose is to maintain existing housing so that low and moderate income Mineola residents can remain in their homes,” Mineola’s Community Development Block Grant Coordinator Bob Hinck said of the rental rehabilitation money.

“It gives seniors primarily the opportunity to live out their golden years here in Mineola,” he said.

The grant includes the opportunity for replacement of windows, doors, roofing, siding or boilers. Current income restrictions are an income $51,000 or lower for a one-family home and $58,200 for a two-family home. Since the program’s beginning in 2001 Mineola has obtained block grants for 87 residents. The maximum amount of an awarded grant is $15,000 per home.

Hinck said that there are currently 12 residents on a waiting list for grants, which are awarded on a first-come, first served basis. The list does not expire and does not require residents to apply each year.

In 2010 the village requested $150,000 in community block grant funds, and received $65,000. The application requires a letter addressed to Hinck identifying the need and the village submits it to Nassau County and funds are distributed on a first-come first served basis.

For code enforcement, in 2010 the village requested $75,000 and received $25,000. Hinck said that the building department conducts weekly tests to identify unsafe housing conditions and the funds offsets salaries and administrative expenses.

Mineola is also asking for $280,000 in downtown parking improvements, much of which is centered around the parking garage on the west side of Station Plaza North. The cost to complete the garage is $600,000. Approximately $142,000 was awarded last year and according to Hinck “the funds are still intact.” The village has received word from the Long Island Rail Road of their “willingness to assist us” and Winthrop will also be approached.

A total of $25,000 has been requested for handicapped parking improvements in Mineola. In 2003 the village received funds for a restaurant to upgrade the bathroom, and will be upgrading the bathroom in the Knights of Columbus bathroom this year.

“The timing this year will be imperative,” Hinck said, revealing the notification that a 7.5 percent cut might befall the Community Development fund. “We want to get our application completed and submitted so that we’re first on the list.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here