State Awards $1.4M in Housing Grants to 48th District

Grants to agencies, municipalities in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties 

Support housing for low-income individuals/families, seniors and people with disabilities

ALBANY (July 16, 2009)—State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine said today that the announcement of more than $31 million in affordable housing grants statewide includes funding for agencies and municipalities in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. 

“Any time we can direct funding here to improve housing opportunities, it is good news for Central and Northern New York,” Sen. Aubertine said. “With this funding of more than $1.4 million we will see local groups spearhead an effort to make emergency repairs on homes for seniors and restore homes and rental units for low income families in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. This funding recognizes a need and it is an investment in the welfare of our friends and neighbors to help revitalize these counties.”

Governor David A. Paterson on Wednesday announced funding for the modification, repair, and rehabilitation of 1,991 units of affordable housing for low-income families, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. 

The $31.4 million in grants have been awarded to not-for-profit agencies and local municipalities. These funds will be used in rural, suburban, and urban communities, across every area of the State, to make necessary repairs and modifications to the homes of eligible low income households. A full listing of projects by region is included below.

These awards will be delivered through three Division of Housing and Community Renewal programs: 

• The HOME Program ($25 million, 1,064 Housing Units) – The HOME program partners with local governments, private developers, and community-based non-profit housing organizations to acquire, rehabilitate or construct housing, or to provide assistance to low-income home-buyers and renters. A total of $25 million in funding will be provided statewide to build or rehabilitate 1,064 housing units.

• ACCESS to Home ($4 million, 307 Housing Units) –ACCESS to Home provides financial assistance to property owners to make dwelling units accessible for low- and moderate income frail elderly and persons with disabilities. These modifications allow individuals to safely and comfortably continue to live in their homes. A total of $4 million in funding will be provided statewide to make accessibility modifications to 307 housing units.

• RESTORE ($2.4 million, 620 Housing Units) – RESTORE (Residential Emergency Services to Offer Repairs to the Elderly) helps low-income elderly homeowners pay for emergency repairs to eliminate hazardous conditions in their homes. A total of $2.4 million in funding will be provided statewide to make emergency repairs to 620 housing units.

The grant awards include $1.435 million in awards for agencies and municipalities in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

Under the HOME Program:

• Neighbors of Watertown will receive $300,000 for 12 units

• City of Oswego will receive $400,000 for 16 units

• Village of Gouverneur will receive $400,000 for 20 units

Under the RESTORE program:

• Frontier Housing in Dexter will receive $35,000 for five units

• The Community Action Planning Council in Watertown will receive $75,000 for 23 units

• The St. Lawrence County Community Development Program will receive $75,000 for 40 units

Under the ACCESS to Home program the St. Lawrence County Housing Council will receive $150,000 for 15 units.

A full listing of projects and more information on these grants is available on the DHCR website (www.nysdhcr.gov).

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