Bureau of Housing Services

Bureau of Housing Services Mission Statement

The Bureau of Housing Services is instrumental in helping the Administration reach its goal of attaining a homeownership rate of fifty percent in five years…York’s rate of forty one percent lags behind the national average of sixty four percent and pennsylvania’s rate that currently stands at seventy two percent.

About the Bureau of Housing Services

In addition to the goal of increasing homeownership in the City, our mission is to create more desirable, affordable housing…which will lead to a greater positive impact on our city neighborhoods in terms of stabilizing and enhancing properties.

The Bureau of Housing Services is funded by the U.S. Department Of Housing and Urban Development with Community Development Block Grant Funds…commonly known as CDBG…and HOME Investment Program Funds…simply known as HOME.

Regulations outline each eligible activity which must also conform to one of the three national objectives required by HUD…activities must benefit low to moderate income persons…aid in the prevention or elimination of slum and blight and meet a need of particular urgency.

All CDBG recipients must comply with strict HUD regulations and are subject to monitoring by the City, as prescribed by HUD.

In the past the York County Literacy Council, Crispus Attucks, the Housing Council, the York Spanish American Center, the YWCA, and the York Area Development Corporation all have been funded.

Recommendations for funding allocations require the Mayor’s approval and City Council’s endorsment prior to submission to HUD. These recommendations include allocations to several community based organizations and city departments.

The intent of the HOME Program is to provide decent affordable housing to our residents. It also must benefit low to moderate income residents whose median income is at eighty percent of York’s average, a figure determined by HUD at the beginning of each calendar year. HOME funds are used to provide for the 3/2 Program that helps prospective first-time homebuyers with closing costs and downpayment funds.

There are very valuable tools and programs in place that benefit city residents through HUD funding. With increased marketing efforts, use of the local media, outreach to the neighborhood groups and forums, as well as the churches, more people are taking advantage of these opportunities.