Section 392.2003 - Elm Street Program(a) Establishment.--There is established the Elm Street Program within the department which shall assist municipalities in preparing and implementing a revitalization strategy for established residential neighborhoods which are in close proximity to either a Main Street Program project or an existing commercial district.(b) Applications.--The department shall prepare application forms for the grant program established in this act and award grants to municipalities and other eligible entities based on the requirements in subsection (c). The department shall require that a map be furnished with all applications clearly identifying the established residential neighborhood and demonstrating its close proximity to a Main Street Program project or an existing commercial district.(c) Program requirements.--The program shall: (1) Provide basic grants for a period of up to five years per project and, upon approval by the department, an additional period of up to five years for administrative costs associated with the hiring of a professional Elm Street Manager, who may serve as an assistant to the Main Street Manager if a Main Street Program exists within the municipality.(2) Provide residential reinvestment grants for infrastructure and structural improvements, including, but not limited to, streets, street lights, trees, exteriors of buildings and sidewalks or other pedestrian-oriented features.(3) Provide planning and development grants for:(i) Marketing and promoting urban residential living.(ii) Leveraging additional private and public investment.(iii) Promoting home ownership and other housing options.(iv) Addressing social and economic concerns including, but not limited to, crime, blight, employment opportunities and public services and amenities.(v) Achieving consistency, whenever appropriate, with existing commercial and residential revitalization efforts.(vi) Promoting the development of traditional neighborhood consumer services and goods, including, but not limited to, banking institutions, grocery stores and pharmacies.(4) Provide an assessment of the applying municipality's need for the following: (i) The establishment of a neighborhood improvement district as defined in the act of December 20, 2000 (P.L. 949, No. 130) , known as the Neighborhood Improvement District Act.(ii) A review of local comprehensive plans and zoning and other land use ordinances to foster the viability of established residential neighborhoods, with a balanced mix of commercial, civic, employment and residential uses, with particular attention to a diversity of housing options.(iii) A review of educational and recreational opportunities and facilities.(d) Eligibility.--Municipalities or their designated agencies must meet the following criteria:(1) Have an established residential neighborhood in need of revitalization in close proximity to an existing commercial district.(2) Provide evidence of support by local residents, merchants and government officials.(3) Commit to provide a minimum of a 10% match for any department grants. The match must consist of financial or in-kind support from other public or private sources based upon departmental guidelines. The department may waive or reduce the matching requirement if it determines such requirement would constitute a hardship upon the municipality or the agency designated by the municipality. A hardship exists if the municipality meets one of the following criteria: (i) The municipality is declared as financially distressed under the act of July 10, 1987 (P.L. 246, No. 47) , known as the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act.(ii) The matching requirements for the application would exceed 5% of the municipality's annual operating budget.(iii) Part or all of the established residential neighborhood identified in the application is participating in the Pennsylvania Weed and Seed Program as administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.(iv) A minimum of 20% of the municipality's population falls below 150% of the Federal poverty level.(e) Multiple projects.--The department may approve more than one project within the boundaries of a municipality. Multiple projects may occur simultaneously or at different periods of time.(f) Cooperative projects.--The department may consider applications submitted by two or more municipalities as a single application for a single project area.(g) Priority projects.--The department shall give priority to projects with an established residential neighborhood that was already in existence prior to 1951.(h) Limits.--The department shall establish limits on the amount of money available per project area so as to distribute the available funds as fairly as possible throughout this Commonwealth.(i) Guidelines.--The department shall adopt guidelines to authorize municipalities or their designees, upon the submission of the appropriate applications and the approval of the department, to reestablish an Elm Street program in a neighborhood where a program had been previously established. 2004 , Feb. 9, P.L. 61, No. 7, § 3, imd. effective. Amended 2008 Oct. 9, P.L. 1417, No. 115, §1, effective in 60 days [ 12/8/2008].