Seneca County has initiated the development of a Comprehensive Housing Strategy to address housing challenges and guide future policies. Officials are calling on residents to participate in the process by attending public meetings and completing an online survey.
The county’s Planning Department has partnered with the consulting firm czbLLC to create the strategy, which is expected to be finalized this fall. The plan will outline actionable steps to improve housing availability and affordability, providing a framework for local governments and organizations.
Public engagement is a key component of the strategy. Residents are invited to attend open-house sessions on April 1 at the Seneca Falls Community Center and April 2 at the South Seneca High School Atrium in Ovid, both at 5:30 p.m. An online survey is also available through April at schousingstrategy.org.
The initiative builds on the 2023 Seneca County Housing Needs Assessment, which found that home prices had risen 17% since the pandemic while household incomes stagnated or declined. The assessment emphasized that housing development is essential for economic growth and recommended the creation of a countywide strategy.
Chairman Enslow stressed the urgency of the effort. “We’re excited to take this next step in addressing the county’s Housing State of Emergency by identifying real, actionable solutions that will build a stronger, more stable housing market for everyone who calls this county home. If we don’t act now, these housing challenges will continue to impact our entire community—from residents to businesses and local government.”
A Housing Working Group, consisting of county supervisors, staff, and local organizations, will oversee the plan’s development and implementation. Partner organizations include the Finger Lakes Regional Land Bank Corp., the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency, and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
For more information, visit schousingstrategy.org.
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