The community will get a hand up, not a hand out, in the city's action plan for an annual grant.

The Auburn Planning and Economic Development Office representatives drafted the budget for the Community Development Block Grant allocation for 2008 to 2009.

The city council will vote whether to accept the plan during the weekly Thursday meeting.

The estimated amount totals $1.37 million from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The allocation is to help people become self sufficient, said Jennifer Haines, planning director.

HUD requires a majority of the money to help low- or moderate-income residents.

This includes programs to public improvements as long as curbing and sidewalks go in neighborhoods where 51 percent of area homeowners meet income requirements. Part of the money goes toward demolishing vacant buildings, as part of an effort to eradicate slums.

Other programs assist homeowners in repairing or siding their homes, or making them accessible for disabled residents.

This year's budget contains money for the sewer and water revolving loan fund. The program was offered in 1994 and 2003. The 2008-2009 action plan has a $10,000 allotment for the fund.

The financial blueprint earmarks the most money for housing activities - more than $300,000, with administration as a close second at $250,000. The budget includes $210,000, which the city has to pay annually for the HUD guaranteed loan the city used to fund the downtown improvement project.

Most representatives ask for money in the CDBG's community development support services category. However, the city is limited to a percentage of their funds that it can give out to agencies.

This year, the city is estimated that percent will total $165,000.

First-time programs will receive a total of $28,000 this year, including Catholic Charities for a parenting program, the Calvary Presbyterian food pantry, and Partnership for Results chronic offender program.

Most programs have received a portion of the city's entitlement funds for years, including Booker T. Washington Center, Boyle Senior Center, Cayuga Counseling Services, and Human Service Coalition.

The action plan this year follows the goals on the other years, City Manager Mark Palesh said. The city has to chose what programs to support carefully because if it were to pull the financing, the programs likely would fail, he added.

“Once we pick a program, we're pretty committed to making it a success,” Palesh said.

City leaders look at how vital the programs are in the community, and where Auburn can get the best bang for its buck, he said.

The dollar amount really doesn't reflect the true benefit of some of these programs, he added.

Private financial donations, contributions of goods and items, as well as time spent assisting in these organizations and agencies in “labors of love” all contribute to their success.

“Without volunteerism, the city really couldn't function,” Palesh said.

In other news:

• The council also will decide whether to award a grant to the Human Rights Commission. City leaders discussed providing money to the commission after funding was cut for its city hall office.

Thursday, the council will vote on giving $12,000 to the commission, which operates out of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The money would fund the salary for a director and office-related expenses.

• The council also will decide whether to submit a grant application to the state Council on the Arts Technical Assistance Program for improvements to the Clifford Field Clubhouse.

If the city receives the $1,500 grant, the city will have to pay $750 for the architectural evaluations of the aging clubhouse.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or

jessica.soule@lee.net