Central Current reported this story with support from the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York.
A key program used to relocate Syracuse residents in substandard housing will fold later this year with no clear plan to replace it.
Catholic Charities, which ran city’s most prominent housing relocation program, did not re-apply for funding to sustain the effort, a spokeswoman confirmed to Central Current. The program will run through April.
The relocation program helped residents move from homes declared unfit to live in, including homes with lead paint.
The program’s end comes at a critical time. There is less quality and affordable housing available while homelessness in Syracuse is on the rise.
A Syracuse legislator and housing advocates said the ramifications of losing the program are disastrous. Councilor Pat Hogan, one of the council’s longest tenured councilors, called Catholic Charities’ decision to end the program “disturbing.”
“Families are going to be suffering, that is what is going to happen,” said Oceanna Fair, who runs Families for Lead Freedom Now, an organization that advocates for families living in homes with lead paint and dust.