Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed allocating $1.2 million to neighborhood and rural preservation programs in the Southern Tier as rising inflation costs continue to impact housing development. The programs aim to provide administrative funding to support local preservation companies that provide assistance to communities and neighborhoods with housing needs.
Hochul emphasized the importance of addressing rural poverty and the lack of visibility it receives, stating, “People don’t see something when you don’t leave the big city. You don’t see the existence of rural poverty, it is real. It is real.”
The proposed funding will support neighborhood and rural preservation companies that offer a range of services, including subsidy assistance, housing preservation and rehabilitation, landlord and tenant mediation, accessibility modifications, and more. However, some rural preservation companies have cited aging infrastructure and the increasing cost of construction and supplies as significant challenges for rural housing.
“The cost of repairs to homes is increasing, so the need for the increase of this funding helps offset homeowners and helps address even those that have limited income so that they can have healthy safe homes to reside in,” said Christina Doughty, Director of Home Ownership and Housing Choice Voucher at Arbor Housing & Development. She also emphasized that funding can help address accessibility issues, as many homes are not equipped to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.
The proposed funding for neighborhood and rural preservation programs is part of Hochul’s larger effort to address the ongoing housing crisis in New York. With this funding, preservation companies can continue to provide vital services to rural communities and help ensure that individuals and families have access to safe and affordable housing.
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