Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $40 million initiative to increase affordable homeownership in five upstate cities, aiming to revitalize neighborhoods and provide opportunities for first-time buyers.
The new Block-By-Block program, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal, offers up to $400,000 per project to fund the construction of affordable single- and two-family homes on vacant lots. The program targets Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse.
“Across New York, we are putting our resources to work to combat the housing crisis block by block,” Hochul said. “This program exemplifies our comprehensive approach to creating more affordable housing and revitalizing entire neighborhoods.”
The program provides subsidies of up to $300,000 for single-family homes and $400,000 for two-family homes. These funds are available to nonprofits with experience in home construction and are meant to ensure homes remain affordable for buyers earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income.
Block-By-Block focuses on redeveloping between four and 10 vacant lots, with priority given to projects on contiguous lots. Officials say this strategic, concentrated effort will not only create new housing but also uplift entire neighborhoods.
“This $40 million investment will support the creation of more homes and strengthen neighborhoods,” said RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal. “We look forward to partnering with community organizations to help more families achieve homeownership.”
The initiative builds on Hochul’s broader plan to address the state’s housing crisis, which includes $600 million in capital funding for housing developments statewide as part of the fiscal year 2025 budget. It also supports Hochul’s five-year, $25 billion housing plan, which aims to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 units with support services for vulnerable populations.
State Senator Sean Ryan, a key advocate of the program, emphasized the long-term benefits of infill housing for upstate cities. “Housing is infrastructure to grow our communities,” Ryan said. “This investment helps build generational wealth and strengthens the tax base of our cities.”
Local leaders also welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to address urban decline and bolster community growth.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan praised the effort to transform overlooked spaces, while Rochester Mayor Malik Evans noted its alignment with the city’s Buy the Block program. “These investments have a profound impact—not just on homeowners, but also on families and neighborhoods,” Evans said.
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