City of Hornell BOCES Homebuilding Partnership (2009 LGAA)

City of Hornell (Winner)
County: Steuben County
Population: 5,000 to 10,000
City Hall: (607) 324-7421

In 2007, the Southern Tier BOCES and the City of Hornell created a partnership that has proved to be an excellent tool for neighborhood revitalization. The City demolishes some of the worst homes in the community, and then commissions the BOCES Building Trade students to construct a new home, which, upon completion, is placed on the empty lot.

The first home constructed pursuant to this new partnership generated a profit of $11,000. The City used a portion of these funds to invest in similar projects in the subsequent year, while the BOCES program used its share to buy tools and pay for students to attend a home show in Providence, Rhode Island.

The program has also had significant positive impacts on quality of life in Hornell. Not only are blighted homes replaced with quality new construction, but each site also represents a local homeowner that was able to purchase a new home at an affordable price. Additionally, the taxable value of property has increased, not only due to the new construction, but also as a result of the contagious nature of improved property maintenance. After the construction of BOCES House #1, the City saw significant enhancements made to other properties on the same street. The City of Hornell has also experienced a change in the attitudes of developers. The sudden availability of quality building lots and the existence of new construction within the City limits have created a renewed interest among residential developers, who are now willing to invest in Hornell.

The BOCES Building Trades program has also benefited, as it receives reimbursement for construction expenses sooner and is able to get a better price for materials because the City can purchase them tax-free and through state vendors and bid pricing. This allows them to spend their limited resources in other areas of their budget. In addition, the students of the Building Trades program get hands-on experience in the areas of carpentry, electrical, roofing, and plumbing work. The hope is that these students will become trained craftsman who will contribute to the local economy after graduation.