housing

January 30, 2017 - 5:14pm
Syracuse's rate of lead poisoning among children is four times the national average.

There is a relationship between the city of Syracuse’s high rate of lead poisoning among children and its high concentration of poverty among African-Americans and Latinos, experts say.

In Onondaga County, around six percent of children tested have elevated blood lead (EBL) levels, which is above the approximately three percent of children diagnosed with lead poisoning nationally, according to a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

November 24, 2014 - 2:35pm
Over 40 people slept outside as part of the Syracuse Homeless Challenge in an effort to raise awareness of hunger and homelessness in Central New York.

It’s that time of year to reflect on all things to be thankful for, and for 40 Syracuse residents that reflecting took place under multiple layers with chattering teeth and violent shivers. Community members spent Friday night in the subzero temperatures Syracuse is all too famous for, and as the biting cold managed to sting through the most durable winter gear, residents were able to catch a small glimpse of what it’s like to be homeless in Syracuse.

October 14, 2014 - 8:42am
Common Council passes local law to collect back taxes on delinquent properties.

Arguing that Syracuse could increase vitally-needed tax revenue, Common Councilor Kathleen Joy persuaded a bare majority of her fellow councilors to amend the city’s tax code to make it easier for homeowners to pay back taxes.

“I’d rather be a city of tax collection than tax seizure,” said Joy, contrasting her proposal of allowing people behind in their taxes to pay off the latter through a trust, with the city’s method of seizing tax delinquent property for re-sale.

October 7, 2014 - 10:48am
A new housing initiative aims to get homeless off Syracuse's downtown streets.

More than 400 people in Onondaga County live without a roof over their heads on any given day according to the Housing and Homeless Coalition of Syracuse and Onondaga County.  But a fragment of this population, who have claimed an I-81 underpass as their home, have emerged as a problem for at least one businessman who said their presence is scaring off his clients. 

August 9, 2010 - 11:59pm
More than 200 professionals and volunteers help Syracuse residents fix up their homes as part of Home HeadQuarter's Block Blitz.

For one day, more than 200 volunteers, including at least one contingent from S.U., descended on two small neighborhoods on Syracuse's South and...