The City of Buffalo and Town of Tonawanda are both expecting millions of dollars in grants from the federal government, money that goes toward programs for housing, improving streets and sidewalks, and youth and senior services.

But the payments from the feds have been delayed and it's cause for concern.

Each year, Housing and Urban Development gives out Community Development Block grants to municipalities across the country.

Buffalo is expecting more than $13 million, while the Town of Tonawanda awaits a $1.6 million payment.

Officials have moved money around from other sources to cover the gap while they wait for the HUD funds, which have been delayed by more than two months. The reason is unclear but could be related to an internal issue at the treasury.

While local officials believe it's on the way, the longer the wait, the greater the chance some of these programs won't have the funding they need because of cuts.

"These agencies do not have robust budgets,” said Brendan Mehaffy, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning. “This is an essential source of funds for them and they need it. They cannot provide the services without it."

"Locally here in Tonawanda, we use a majority of the money for our home repair programs, fixing up a lot of owner-occupied single family housing for low and moderate income workers,” said Jim Hartz, director of community development for the Town of Tonawanda. “We also do a lot of public infrastructure work, water and sewer line work as well as road resurfacing projects."

Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have both called on HUD to send the money as soon as possible with a letter to director Ben Carson.

A spokesperson for HUD says payments are being processed and should be sent soon.