Neighborhood Improvement Activities

Code Enforcement

• Annually cite approximately 2,000 housing units for code violations.
• Annually complete 10,000-12,000 housing inspections followed by court appearances for units which remain in violation.
• Conduct annual "Housing Sweep" door-to-door housing inspections.
• Conduct "Courtesy Code Compliance Inspections" for property owners, financial institutions, etc.
• Identify and resolve housing code violations on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis through the "Neighborhood Impact Program".

Target and Non-Target Area Incentive Programs

Since 1976, 42 housing rehabilitation programs have been targeted to stabilize declining/transitional neighborhoods, improving over 5,400 units utilizing $10.1 million in state and federal assistance while leveraging $9.6 million in private sector funds for a total investment of over $19.7 million.

• Current targeted area programs include:
  • Winsor-Second Rehabilitation Program
  • Falconer-Second-Crescent Rehabilitation Program
  • Chadakoin West Rehabilitation Program
  • Downtown Rental Rehabilitation Program
  • Chandler/Appleyard Rehabilitation Program
• Current non-targeted area programs include:
  • Citywide Rental Rehabilitation Program
  • Citywide Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program

Homeownership Zones Program

Provides matching 50% rebates or 100% grants of up to $15,000 to income eligible first time home buyers of one and two-family homes in three designated "Homeownership Zones" within the City of Jamestown.

Residential Homesteading Program

Provides 100% grants of up to $25,000 per unit to eligible first time homebuyers. Homes selected for this program are acquired by JURA from a list of properties which are auctioned by Chautauqua County following foreclosure due to delinquent taxes. Program participants are selected on the basis of an extensive interview and screening process. Final selection of buyers is via lottery.

Tenant-Landlord Technical Assistance Program

Provides counseling and education on the management and maintenance of residential properties.

Emergency Repair Program

Provides 100% grants to low and moderate-income senior citizen (62 and older) and single-head of household owner occupants to undertake emergency home repairs.

Lead Paint Abatement Program

Provides 100% grants to eligible low and moderate-income homeowners and rental property owners for the removal of hazardous lead paint situations targeting households with children under the age of seven.

Community Policing Program

JURA partnered with the Jamestown Police Department to hire two community policing officers to increase crime awareness and prevention in designated CDBG targeted low and moderate income neighborhoods.

Enhanced Neighborhood Street Lighting Program

JURA partnered with the Jamestown Police Department, Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, and the Jamestown Department of Public Works to identify sites where additional street lighting would significantly promote public safety and ongoing neighborhood revitalization. JURA then provides CDBG funds to purchase and install the new lighting.

For further Information on any JURA programs, please contact:

Steven Centi, Executive Director

Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency
Third Floor, Municipal Building
Jamestown, NY 14701

Phone: (716) 483-7541
Fax: (716) 483-7772

Email: centi@cityofjamestownny.com