Community and Economic Development

Community Development Programs

The City of Williamsport receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Our objective is "development of viable communities, by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate income persons.” HUD defines low-and moderate-income as less than 80% of the Area Median Income adjusted for household size.

For more information about the services and programs offered, follow the links below.

Williamsport offers a variety of Programs including:

Home Buyer Assistance programs to help you finance purchase of a single family home in Williamsport.
Housing Rehabilitation (home repair) programs that include grants and low interest loans for repairs, improvements and code required upgrades.
Public Facility and Infrastructure improvement such as street reconstruction, sidewalks, curb ramps, street tree installations, fire hydrant upgrades, sewers and storm drainage improvements.
A list of local Renovate Right Lead Paint Training links at RRRP Training
Fair Housing services and complaint information.
Economic Development programs including a Micro Enterprise Loan Program, a Lerta Tax Reduction Initiative for Commercial Improvements, and a Commercial Facade Improvement Low Interest Loan program for repairs to commercial property exteriors.
Accessibility Improvements including grants, for installation of ramps and accessible bathrooms for disabled City residents.
Support to homeless shelters and transitional housing programs such as Journey House and Liberty House.
Improvements to Parks and other city Recreation Facilities and other Public Services
Historic District Review Board requirements and application information, and How To Guides for the owners of older homes.

To view Public Notices and Community Development Reports such as the Consolidated Plan, Action Plan or CAPER reports, visit the Public Notices and Public Reports pages.

Williamsport HOME dollars fund Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO). A CHDO is a private, non-profit organization that provides decent, affordable housing to lower income households. The City has two CHDO's, Habitat for Humanity and Lycoming Neighborhood Development Corporation (LNDC). Could your non-profit become a CHDO? See these pages.

How to apply for a CDBG or HOME program

You can apply for many programs on this web site or by calling the Community Development Office at 570-327-7511.

To learn about the Historic District visit: Millionaires Row Historic District Information
For Lead Paint Hazard information and training and energy efficiency links see: Lead Based Paint
To apply for Home Repair Programs visit: Housing Rehabilitation Programs
To apply for home buyer assistance and learn about Home Buyer Assistance programs, visit Home Buyer Assistance
For Economic Development incentives visit: Economic Development
For our Program Income limits visit: Income Limits
To view the Multi Municipal Comprehensive Plan which includes Williamsport and surrounding communities, visit: Comprehensive Plan

Waiting lists are maintained for most programs. Generally, programs must benefit lower income residents of the City of Williamsport. Applications for programs are taken on a first come first serve basis. Call us if you have any questions and do not hesitate to apply.

Non Profit Organizations can apply for CDBG funds in August. The availability of applications and submission deadlines for non-profits are announced each year. Funding is limited.

All Non-Profit applications must meet and document how they meet one of three national objectives:
1. Benefit Low-and Moderate-Income Persons
2. Aid in the Prevention or Elimination of Slums or Blight
3. Meet an Extremely Urgent Community Need

Federal regulations require at least 70% of CDBG funds demonstrably benefit low- and moderate-income persons. All activities must meet a national objective, meet funding guidelines and be consistent with the goals and objectives of the City of Williamsport’s Consolidated Plan.