The Urban Initiatives (UI) program provided financial and technical resources to New York communities for the restoration and improvement of housing, commercial areas, and public community facilities in urban neighborhoods. UI offered grants to non-profit, community-based organizations that have a mission related to improving the health, safety, and economic viability of distressed urban neighborhoods. Applicants requested between $50,000 and $200,000 to undertake housing preservation and community renewal activities in distressed neighborhoods by preserving existing housing units, generating new housing units, upgrading commercial and retail areas and by creating innovative approaches to neighborhood and community revitalization which improved cultural and community facilities.