KINGSTON – The Ulster County Housing Action Fund, approved last August by the county legislature, will open its first application window on March 11 and will accept applications until May 10 at 3 p.m.
The Ulster County Planning Department will host a virtual webinar on March 19 at 6 p.m. to provide information on the fund and application process. Interested parties can register at https://ulstercountyny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpcumvqD0vE9JYDjrbdmXmZ8yUSqTiqrmS.
The $15 million fund, of which up to $3 million in projects could be allocated this year, was proposed last year by County Executive Jen Metzger and sponsored by Abe Uchitelle, chairman of the Legislature’s Health, Human Services and Housing Committee, to address the housing crisis and support a wide variety of sustainable and affordable housing projects.
After the fund’s approval by the legislature last summer, a Housing Policy and Oversight Committee, composed of housing and financial experts, was appointed in November to develop and administer the application process, with the support of the county Planning Department. The committee has been working to prepare the way for this first round of funding, meeting most recently in early February.
The maximum grant amount and affordability level for projects vary based on the housing category. Generally, the fund focuses on serving households earning up to 80 percent of Ulster County Area Median Income (i.e., $81,300 for a four-person household, $56,950 for a one-person household).
Recipients of these grants will be required to keep housing units affordable for a minimum of 50 years, with priority given to projects that keep the housing permanently affordable. Projects are required to meet New York State Housing and Community Renewable Sustainability Standards. For detailed information and application materials, visit https://participate.ulstercountyny.gov/housing-action-fund.
