The Restore New York Communities Initiative (“Restore NY”) provides municipalities with financial assistance for the revitalization of commercial and residential properties. The program encourages community development and neighborhood growth through the elimination and redevelopment of blighted structures.

Program Launch: Thursday February 22, 2024

Intent to Apply Form Due: Monday March 25, 2024, by 5:00pm EST

Final Application Due: Wednesday May 22, 2024, by 3:00pm EST

Restore New York funding is available for projects involving the demolition, deconstruction, rehabilitation, and/or reconstruction of vacant, abandoned, condemned, and surplus properties.

Applicants must:

• Be initiated by municipalities
• Demonstrate at least a 10% match
• Hold a public hearing to discuss the application and the property assessment list

Selection Process:

Applications are initially evaluated at the regional level.

Applications are scored against specific guidelines and how strongly they meet the goals of the program, which are to:

• Induce commercial investment
• Improve the local housing stock

Priority is given to projects in Empire Zones and Brownfield Opportunity Areas, as well as to projects that leverage other state or federal redevelopment, remediation, or planning programs.

There is also a strong emphasis placed on projects from economically distressed communities.

What You Need to Apply

1. Restore NY Round 8 Guidelines
2. Intent to Apply Form (Due March 25) – ATTENTION: No application will be accepted unless the Intent to Apply form has been submitted.
3. Restore NY Property Data Sheet & Site Control Affidavit
4. Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) Portal
5. SHPO Review Portal

After ESD approves an Intent to Apply form, applicants will be directed to begin completing the application. The official application process will occur through the CFA Portal (link above) and should include a Property Data Sheet for each property within the project.

For additional information on the application process, please see detailed program information below and/or contact your regional office.

Program Launch: Thursday February 22, 2024

• Document Sample Language
• List of Distressed Communities
• List of Distressed Areas - NYC
• February 27, 2024 Webinar recording - passcode: VZ=cp8mt
• February 27, 2024 Webinar Slides

Restore NY Round 7 Final Application Reminders:

• Final applications are due at 3:00pm EST on Wednesday May 22, 2024.
• A complete Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) must be submitted by 3:00pm EST on Wednesday May 22, 2024.
• The municipal resolution must be complete, finalized, and in the final application package submitted through the CFA.
• A property assessment list must be published in a local daily newspaper (either in print or online) for three consecutive days. For guidance on weekly publications please see the program guidelines.
• Evidence of the three-day posting must be included in the final application package submitted through the CFA.
• Please contact your regional office if you are having trouble with the CFA.

Final Application Due: Wednesday May 22, 2024, at 3:00pm EST