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The city's office of Planning and Community Development this week outlined how it spent
$2.4 million in federal Department of Housing and Urban Development grants during the fiscal year ending in mid-2021.
Such a report is required annually by HUD.
The money comprised $1.96 million in regular Community Development Block Grant entitlement; $249,000 in special COVID-19 funding authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act; and $197,000 from the Home Investment Partnership Program.
The priorities for use of the money were set in the city's 2020-24 consolidated plan for spending HUD money.
Regular CDBG projects included:
■ Single-family homeowner rehabilitation, eight units completed, $363,000.
■ Storm door replacements on 118 units at the Altoona Housing Authority's Pleasant Village, $50,000.
■ Street reconstructions in low-to-moderate-income areas of the city, $419,000.
■ Road paving within the Altoona Housing Authority's Fairview Hills development, $25,000.
■ Replacement of sidewalks and stairways at Fairview Hills, $63,000.
■ Development of a new playground on Sixth Avenue at 23rd Street, $161,000.
■ Replacement of fencing and lighting upgrades at Veterans Memorial Field, $5,000.
■ Paving and lining of the basketball court at Jefferson Park, $10,000.
■ Installation of stormwater piping on Washington Avenue between 20th and 25th avenues, $188,000.
■ Acquisition of a building at 2300 N. Branch Ave. that will be used for a new family shelter, $135,000.
■ Equipment to be used for the Fire Department's Get Out Alive Program, $10,000.
■ Housing and rental assistance for a UPMC program to help people with mental illness, $6,000.
■ Demolition of 12 vacant buildings, $289,000.
■ Administration, planning and management, $212,000;
■ Administration for the city's fair housing responsibilities, $23,000.
COVID-19 CDBG projects include:
■ Catholic Charities rental and utilities assistance, $3,000.
■ Salvation Army rental, mortgage and utilities assistance, $8,000.
■ Blair County Community Action, shelter for those threatened with homelessness, $84,000.
■ Community Action food delivery, $4,000.
■ Altoona Blair County Development Corp. Economic Recovery Program for businesses, $79,000.
■ Nehemiah Project meals, $51,000.
■ Administration, $17,000.
HOME projects include:
■ Rental rehabilitation, $170,000.
■ Administration, $27,000.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.