Nassau County - Long Island, New York

Mangano Awards Over $1 Million To Hempstead Village For Downtown Revitalization, Neighborhood Improvements, After School Programs & Safe Routes To School

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced today the allocation of a nearly $1.2 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the Village of Hempstead – the largest grant made to any incorporated Village in this year. The grant will fund a variety of projects in the Village, including improvements to streets and sidewalks in both the downtown business district and residential neighborhoods. The CDBG will also help fund a variety of after school programs, including the Hempstead PAL recreational activities, PeeWee Football/Cheerleading Program, At-Risk Youth Basketball Program, and the EOC Soccer program. Furthermore, the allocation includes funds for the Village’s Safe Routes to School program, a New York State Department of Transportation initiative that enables and encourages children to adapt to healthy and active lifestyles by promoting transportation alternatives and implementing projects that improve traffic safety.

County Executive Mangano stated, “It’s a great day when Nassau County can utilize Federal funds to truly help revitalize local neighborhoods, improve the quality of life for residents and ensure after school programs for our children. These funds will greatly assist the Village of Hempstead in their efforts to improve the local business district, spur job creation and ensure safe routes to school for our children.”

The Community Development Block Grant Program is a Federal entitlement program with a primary objective of developing viable urban communities through sensible housing and suitable living initiatives. The program also seeks to expand economic opportunities, principally for individuals of low and moderate income. The community development objectives of Nassau County and its local communities are described in Nassau County's Five-Year Consolidated Plan. Allocations for the Village of Hempstead include:

  • $210,000 for planning and execution of community development activities;
  • $50,000 for grants and/or loans to business owners for façade improvements in the downtown business district;
  • $50,000 for code enforcement activities;
  • $50,000 for debt service payments associated with a previously purchased fire truck and new fire/safety equipment;
  • $54,000 for DOT’s Safe Routes to School program;
  • $45,000 for costs associated with emergency road repair/resurfacing;
  • $7,500 for Hempstead Living Magazine which provides a complimentary publication that provides residents, merchants and shoppers with a venue to share information;
  • $5,000 for Voices of Virtue which operates a choral music program for low-income youth;
  • $3,500 for the Police Athletic League’s (PAL) recreational, educational, cultural and social programs for youth ages 5-17;
  • $3,500 for the Hempstead Midget Football/Cheerleading program;
  • $3,500 for the Hempstead Dons Basketball program for at-risk youth;
  • $3,500 for a Little League Program;
  • $3,500 for the Our Lady of Loretto CYO Basketball program;
  • 3,500 for the EOC Soccer program;
  • $3,500 for the Hispanic Counseling Center;
  • $3,500 for the Hempstead Boys and Girls Club;
  • $3,500 for the Work Place Project Farmers Market;
  • $3,000 for the Hempstead Hispanic Civic Associations After School Tutoring Program;
  • $3,000 for planning costs related to the CDBG Program;
  • $2,500 for an annual Community Health Fair;
  • $2,500 for strengthening Black Women Enterprises in management skills and operations;
  • $1,500 for the Hempstead Coordinating Civic Association;
  • $1,000 for the Family and Children’s Association Youth Advisory Group; and
  • $588,000 for Section 108 Loan Repayments associated with 100 Main Street.

“On behalf of the Village, I would like to thank the county for their assistance in our continuing efforts to strengthen and improve our community,” said Hempstead Mayor Wayne J. Hall, Sr. “Funding like this is extremely important to us, especially when we are preparing to embark on one of the most transformative and encompassing revitalization efforts on Long Island. The future is bright for the Village of Hempstead.”

CDBG funds and program income can be used for a wide range of activities related to housing, economic development, commercial revitalization, public services, infrastructure, and public facilities. An estimated 90% of CDBG funds are used annually to benefit extremely low, low and moderate income individuals.

In addition to these CDBG funds, County Executive Mangano had previously awarded and spent $1,000,000 in funds from the Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) for the Twin Oaks project located at the old Hofstra Library on Hempstead Turnpike. The HOME funds were used to create hundreds of construction and trades jobs in the construction of 94 affordable housing units. Additionally, through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), the County Executive has continued his commitment to the residents of the Village by partnering with local developers to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed homes to be resold at an affordable rate.