Environmental Health Integration

Advocates for stronger child protections and systemic accountability in creating safe homes, with a focus on addressing lead exposure and unsafe housing conditions.

Provides community education about lead hazards and supports families affected by lead exposure in Syracuse. Empowers parents with information to navigate unsafe housing conditions.

Provides community development expertise to community members, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations in the Mohawk Valley region; has provided technical assistance to support the formation of resident-led coalitions and connect communities with resources and training opportunities.

Provides one-on-one financial coaching with customized action plans and budgets to help individuals increase savings, pay off debt, save for a car, or pay off student loans; offers both single-session and multi-session packages, including a 4-hour package allowing up to 7 sessions within 12 months, and includes tri-merge credit reports as part of coaching services.

Offers nationally accredited in-person and online financial education classes on financial fitness and home maintenance, including through a digital platform.

Provides foreclosure prevention counseling by working with homeowners and lenders to explore options to remain in their homes; also delivers Homeownership Counseling, including a 4-hour financial education class and a 1-hour financial coaching session, for home equity loan applicants.

Provides free grant funding to eligible senior homeowners in select Utica neighborhoods for essential home repairs, including roofs, siding, windows, doors, porches, gutters, foundations, interior deficiencies, and lead paint hazard remediation.

Invests approximately $2.5 million annually in home rehabilitation projects in Oneida and Madison Counties, contributing to broader efforts that have cumulatively invested over $200 million in housing and neighborhood revitalization.

Provides home repair and rehabilitation assistance for interior and exterior needs, including through grant-funded programs; services are contingent on available funding and support both owner-occupied and rental properties.

Offers HUD-approved homebuyer education classes, financial planning support, and down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers, including through partnerships with local financial institutions and targeted programs in the City of Rome.

Operates the Lead Safe Utica program to reduce lead hazards in privately owned housing by addressing lead in paint, dust, and soil; provides an average of $51,500 in grant funding per enrolled home or unit, including through the NYS Leading in Lead program for multifamily properties.

Operates a reporting form that allows residents to report illegal activity in their neighborhoods, with the option to do so anonymously.

Administers the Vacant Rental Program, providing funding to rehabilitate up to five vacant rental units to make them rent-ready and increase the supply of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income renters in Oneida County; includes property inspections to determine scope of health and safety repairs, code compliance, and structural improvements.

Conducts funding initiatives to restore community landmarks, improve public infrastructure, and revitalize Main Streets in Chautauqua County, enhancing overall community living standards.

Conducts outreach to promote housing rehabilitation programs and educate residents about available housing assistance, including lead safety, repair funding, and homeownership opportunities across Chautauqua County.

Provides financial assistance for down payments and closing costs to income-eligible, mortgage-ready first-time homebuyers on a first-come, first-served basis in Chautauqua County.

Funds training programs to certify contractors in lead-safe work practices for HUD-related projects, expanding local workforce capacity in Chautauqua County.

Administers the Access to Heroes program to provide financial support for home repairs and accessibility modifications for veterans in Chautauqua County.