Washington, D.C. – January 26, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Announcement Made at Rochester Housing, Community and Faith-Based Development Conference to Encourage More Housing, Increase Access to Services, and Revitalize Neighborhoods Throughout the Finger Lakes
Governor Cuomo announced $22.6 million in grants awarded to not-for-profit organizations and municipalities throughout the state to rehabilitate, repair and improve 1,166 homes and provide new opportunities for homeownership. The announcement was made during New York State’s Rochester Housing, Community and Faith-Based Development Conference. The conference is one of a series of meetings and workshops designed to bring state agency expertise and resources directly to regions, assist local grassroots and development partners in creating affordable housing, delivering social services, and reviving downtown communities.
“The state is committing nearly $23 million to improve homes and make New York a better place to live, especially for some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Governor Cuomo. “New York State wants to help build stronger, more vibrant communities from the ground up, and I am proud to be partnering with local governments, community leaders and the nonprofit sector to make it happen.”
In keeping with Governor Cuomo’s commitment to improving affordable housing opportunities and revitalizing neighborhoods, today’s awards provide resources to repair and improve homes belonging to the elderly, Veterans, Medicaid recipients, people with disabilities, and low-income families and individuals. In addition, funds will assist homebuyers with down payment or closing costs, as well as acquiring and rehabilitating vacant homes. The funds are provided through a variety of programs administered by New York State Home and Community Renewal. More information is available at http://www.nyshcr.org/Funding/Awards/.
Today’s conference, held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, was co-hosted by HCR, the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services and the Governor’s Nonprofit Coordination Unit. Representatives from various state agencies, including the Office of Mental Health, Office of Temporary Disability Assistance, Department of Health, and Empire State Development were also in attendance.
Non-state representatives included housing developers, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations, and together the group focused on a variety of issues that included the application process for housing development opportunities, solutions for zombie properties, adaptive reuse, ways to expand community services and resources, and ways to increase overall homeownership.
