UTICA - It's being called a "Vacant Housing Crisis." Senator Charles Schumer in town today to talk about legislation that could bring millions of revitalization dollars to our area to reverse the trend.

There are nearly 5,000 homes in Utica that are vacant, dilapidated, and a potential breeding ground for crime. That's why Senator Charles Schumer came to the area Thursday with a plan to pump millions into revitalization projects.

The money is part of something called "Community Development Block Grant," or CDBG. It's a program that Senator Schumer calls a lifeblood of reviatalization, and a tool to fight neighborhood blight.

CDBG is funding that already exists. Proposed legislation would just increase it by $4 billion nationwide.

"We're making a call to arms to federal government to beef up its role in helping communities like Utica and Rome receive the funding and tools they need," Schumer said.

Utica Mayor David Roefaro agrees that the money is necessary, and could be put to good use.

"We can rebuild more neighborhoods," Roefaro said. "Put more houses back on the tax rolls. We could do so many things to increase our tax base and increase the look of the city. That's what brings back the city, when you revitalize the homes."

If the legislation passes, the city could see the additional grant money in as little as three months.

From Utica, Schumer made his way to Oneonta to discuss an aging wastewater system.

He announced a plan to increase federal funding in order to boost the county's economic growth.