KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Ryan, Thursday, signed two housing initiatives to help residents who have been impacted by COVID-19.
Ryan signed a resolution from the county legislature requesting that the City of Kingston Land Bank expand its jurisdiction outside of the city to create a county-wide landbank, and to promote the use of county-owned lands for workforce housing.
Ryan also signed a resolution introducing the formation of a Housing Advisory Committee in partnership with the county legislature. The committee will assess the causes and drivers of the shortage of affordable housing options to meet community needs and recommend strategies that the county can pursue to provide a healthy housing mix, in conjunction with municipal, business, and community partners.
“Addressing affordable housing is crucial for our recovery efforts,” Ryan said. “These initiatives will ensure that all residents have access to high-quality affordable housing. I encourage our frontline workers and any families and individuals struggling right now in the wake of the COVID-19 to apply for the rental assistance program. I look forward to continuing to partner with the Legislature to tackle this critical need and create more affordable housing for our residents.”
“The county has an ability to help the City of Kingston expand what is possible in terms of a land bank if we work together,” County Legislator Abe Uchitelle said. “This would provide crucial affordable workforce housing for families struggling to make ends meet.”
County Legislator and Chair of Economic Development Brian Cahill said they “share the urgency in the formation of the Housing Advisory Committee and anticipate a successful partnership in working towards a multi-faceted solution for today, tomorrow and a long time into the future.”
Ryan also provided new details regarding the county’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Earlier this month, he announced that the county is reallocating $150,000 from its Housing Rehabilitation Program to provide rental assistance payments to eligible households earning less than 80 percent area median income.
RUPCO, has agreed to administer the program. The will honor its commitments to homeowners already in the program and will use the approximately $125,000 that will remain available for households that have the most needed repairs allowing these homeowners to safely remain in their homes.
The Emergency Rental Assistance program will target low and moderate-income families in compliance with CDBG requirements. The maximum assistance proposed is $3,000 for up to three months’ rental payments. This is in line with average rents for a one-bedroom apartment. Households will not be asked to contribute any portion of the current monthly income towards their rental payment.
Residents of all municipalities in Ulster County except those in the City of Kingston (which receives a direct CDBG allocation) will be eligible to apply.
