HORNELL — Amidst challenging times, the City of Hornell received some welcome news Wednesday.

The Maple City has been awarded $500,000 in citywide housing rehabilitation funding through a New York State Community Development Block Grant, the Housing Trust Fund Corporation and the NYS Office of Community Renewal (OCR) announced.

“This is very welcome news for City residents,” said Mayor John Buckley. “The $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) award will go a long way to help Hornell residents rehabilitate their homes. I would like to thank Governor Cuomo, HCR Commissioner Ruthanne Visnauskas and Program Director Charlie Philion for helping make this important grant possible.”

OCR will award more than $12 million in this round to assist communities across New York in addressing local affordable housing needs. Working collaboratively with local partners, these investments will help to revitalize communities and improve the quality of life for the working families of New York by providing homeownership opportunities and better quality of living through home rehabilitation programs.

More information regarding this program will be available at a later date. If Hornell residents are interested in getting a head start, contact Cindy Burdell at City Hall.