City of Rochester invites residents to review and comment on draft HUD funding report for 2024 to 2025

Rochester, New York – The City of Rochester is asking residents to weigh in on a new report that tracks how federal housing dollars were spent over the past year. City officials announced that the draft version of the 2024–25 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, known as CAPER, is now available for public review and feedback.

The document outlines how Rochester used funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support community projects, housing programs, and neighborhood initiatives between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. In addition to summarizing yearly activities, the report also shows how the city has been working toward the larger goals set out in its 2020–24 Consolidated Plan and its current one-year Annual Action Plan.

The CAPER serves as both a progress check and a spending record, giving residents a clear look at how federal money was invested in Rochester neighborhoods. According to city officials, the draft also includes a section detailing how the city applied nearly $12.7 million in HUD funds from the CARES Act. That federal relief package, which was approved during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided local governments with resources to help communities recover from the crisis.

Read also: Mechanical engineering faculty member at RIT earns prestigious CAREER award to advance the future of the manufacturing workforce

The City must send the final report to HUD by September 15, 2025. In the meantime, residents have the chance to submit written comments until 5 p.m. on September 13, 2025. “Comments must be received by 5 p.m., Sept. 13, 2025, and should be sent to: City of Rochester, NY, City Hall, room 224B, 30 Church St., Rochester, NY 14614, Attn: Rita Rajca, CDBG Coordinator,” the notice states.

Feedback can also be submitted electronically. “Comments may also be sent to Rita Rajca via email at: [email protected],” the announcement continues. For comments to be included in the final CAPER, residents must include their name and address, and email submissions should list “2024-25 CAPER” in the subject line.

To make the process more accessible, the city has placed copies of the draft report at multiple neighborhood service centers as well as City Hall. Locations include the Northeast Neighborhood Service Center at 500 Norton St., the Northwest Neighborhood Service Center at 400 Dewey Ave., the Southwest Neighborhood Service Center at 923 Genesee St., and the Southeast Neighborhood Service Center at 320 N. Goodman St. The report is also available online at the City of Rochester’s official website under the “Performance Evaluation Reports” section.

Read also: Supervisor Leenhouts announces that the development process for the 2026 budget is already moving forward with planning well underway

The CAPER is more than a technical report—it is meant to be a tool for accountability and transparency. City officials emphasize that hearing from residents is a vital part of the process, especially since HUD funding plays such a critical role in addressing housing needs, improving infrastructure, and strengthening neighborhoods across Rochester.

Public input has the potential to shape future programs by showing where residents feel progress has been made and where more work is needed. By documenting both accomplishments and ongoing challenges, the CAPER gives a snapshot of Rochester’s efforts to use federal funds effectively.

For many communities, HUD-supported programs provide essential lifelines, from affordable housing developments to neighborhood revitalization efforts. Rochester officials are urging residents to take advantage of this chance to review the report and share their perspectives before the September deadline.