$2 Million of Projects Approved in First Round of Funding through Housing Action Fund
The Ulster County Legislature approved County Executive Jen Metzger’s recommendations to award $2 million in funding through the Housing Action Fund (HAF) for five affordable and supportive housing projects in Ulster County. The awards are the first made through the $15 million Fund, which was established last year by the County Executive and Legislature to address the housing crisis.
The Legislature voted 21-1 in favor of the recommendations at the September 17 legislative session. The five projects all meet the Fund’s affordability and sustainability requirements:
•$300,000 to the Affordable Housing Conservancy for the development of Harmony Hall, a 51 Unit Permanent Senior (62+) Affordable Rental Housing development in the Town of New Paltz.
•$500,000 to RUPCO for the Quality Inn Conversion Project in the Town of Ulster, an 83 unit permanently affordable and supportive housing development for homeless individuals or families with unmet housing needs.
•$400,000 to the Affordable Housing Conservancy for eight new affordable manufactured homes at the Gallis Hill Manufactured Home Park in the Town of Hurley.
•$400,000 to Ulster County Habitat for Humanity for the development of the Jeffrey Court project in the Town of Saugerties, a subdivision with 10 new affordable homes developed for homeownership.
•$400,000 to the Kingston City Land Bank for the Third Avenue Housing Development in the City of Kingston, an approximately 50-unit new, affordable housing development on a vacant infill site in the city.
“These projects represent the kind of diverse housing mix we need, with both home ownership and rental opportunities, with supportive housing for our homeless and most vulnerable residents, senior housing for our elders, and new homes for families for whom homeownership has been out of reach,” said County Executive Metzger. “I’d like to thank the Housing Oversight and Review Committee for their diligent work in reviewing applications to the HAF, as well as the Legislature for their partnership to address the urgent housing needs of our community.”
The Housing Policy and Oversight Committee (HPOC) oversees the implementation of the Housing Action Fund, issuing the Notice of Opportunity for funding earlier this year, reviewing applications, and making recommendations to the County Executive for consideration.
“With the passage of this resolution, Ulster County is taking an important step in addressing the urgent need for affordable housing,” said Peter Criswell, Chair of the Ulster County Legislature. “These projects will provide essential housing options for seniors, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness, creating a more inclusive and supportive community. I’m proud of the Legislature’s commitment to this vital work, and we will continue to prioritize affordable housing solutions for all of our residents.”
“With my colleagues voting to support the allocation of funds to these five projects we are one step closer to creating a broader range of affordable housing options for the residents of Ulster County,” said Majority Leader Abe Uchitelle, Chair of the Legislature's Health, Human Services, and Housing Committee. “Our community deserves an investment in housing that is targeted, fair, and transparent — and I am excited to see these projects continuing to move through that process here."
“With the initial allocation of $2 million from the Housing Action Fund in support of five housing projects throughout the county, the County Legislature and Executive have started to address our county’s housing crises. This is just the start of a sustaining commitment to housing,” said Jeff Collins, Ulster County Legislator and Chair of the Housing Subcommittee. “Each year, the Housing Action Fund will help fund worthy housing projects. This long-term, sustainable investment in housing will pay dividends through economic growth but more importantly, provide desperately needed housing for our residents.”
For more information on the Ulster County Housing Action Fund, visit the Participate Ulster website here: https://participate.ulstercountyny.gov/housing-action-fund.
