NEW YORK, NY – March 4, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The board of the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) today approved $1.28 million in grants to finance the renovation of 73 affordable housing units in New York State.
“The grants approved today will preserve affordable housing and improve the quality of life for many of our citizens,” Governor David A. Paterson said. “They also demonstrate that we remain committed to improving our housing stock even in these difficult economic times.”
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: “Communities in the Catskills, Central and Western New York will benefit from the awarding of these grants. The funds will help community-based organizations to carry out renovations in properties and in turn increase the availability of affordable housing. In these difficult economic times, ensuring the availability of affordable housing is critical to the ability of people to remain in their communities.”
Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Samspon, said, “Preserving and renovating affordable housing strengthens families and saves communities. Today’s action means families struggling with the fiscal crisis will get the safe and affordable housing they need to survive. I congratulate the Governor and AHC for securing these vital grants to help protect affordable housing for families across the state.”
Assembly Housing Committee Chair Vito Lopez said: “All over the state, families are struggling to make ends meet. These grants will help provide affordable housing for those who have been affected the most by this recession, low- and middle- income New Yorkers.”
State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr., who also serves as Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development, said, “These grants are consistent with Governor Paterson’s strong efforts over the past several months to provide new and maintain existing affordable housing for residents throughout the state. These renovation projects will also stimulate local economies by providing business to small contracting companies and creating jobs for residents in these communities.”
Judd S. Levy, AHC Chairman, said, “These grants will help our government and nonprofit partners finance needed repairs for homeowners in need in five counties upstate–Erie, Onondaga, Oswego, Delaware and Greene. These approvals reinforce our efforts to serve all areas of New York State.”
The projects follow:
Catskills
AHC approved a $260,000 grant to the Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council, Inc. to acquire and renovate eight homes in Delaware and Greene Counties.
Oswego County
AHC approved a $250,000 grant to the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning to renovate 30 homes in Oswego County.
Onondaga County
AHC approved a $700,000 grant to the Empire Housing and Development Corporation to acquire and renovate 28 housing units in Onondaga County.
Erie County
AHC approved a $75,000 grant to The Citizens Alliance, Inc. to finance improvements of seven housing units in Buffalo.
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AHC, a subsidiary of the NYS Housing Finance Agency, was established in 1985 to promote homeownership by low- and moderate-income households. Financial assistance approved annually by the New York State Legislature, combined with other private and public investment, is used for the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation and improvement of owner-occupied housing.
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Contact: Philip Lentz
Director of Communications
212-872-0679
plentz (at) nyhomes (dot) org
