Ontario County is opening a second round of funding to rehabilitate vacant rental housing, with nearly $1 million available for property owners seeking to return unused residential units to the market.
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis while money remains available, according to an Oct. 9 announcement from the Ontario County Economic Development Corporation, which administers the local Vacant Rental Program through New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
The funding is available to eligible property owners, landlords, developers and nonprofit organizations for work on vacant and underused residential properties across Ontario County. Applicants are encouraged to speak with the development corporation before applying so staff can discuss their property and determine whether a proposed project may qualify.
Nearly $1 million for additional projects
The new round combines additional resources from New York State with money left from the first round. It is part of the county's existing program, rather than a separate housing initiative.
Ontario County opened its first round in April 2025 with $2 million available for rehabilitation projects. The program is currently supporting work on 14 rental units in eight buildings in communities across the county; that figure describes units being rehabilitated, not a tally of completed homes.
The aim is to expand rental options by repairing housing that already exists. The county said substantial rehabilitation costs can keep vacant properties from being occupied, and the program gives owners another way to make that work financially feasible.
Participating units must meet state program requirements when they return to the rental market, including affordability requirements tied to household income. The county's announcement does not specify a per-unit award amount or income threshold for this application round.
Housing priorities and a first-round example
Rehabilitating existing housing was among the priorities identified in the county's housing needs assessment. In 2024, the Board of Supervisors established a Housing Ad Hoc Committee to examine those priorities and possible responses, along with public outreach and education.
Ryan Davis, the development corporation's executive director, said bringing vacant and underused units back to market quickly remains a focus for both the corporation and the housing committee. He said officials hope to build on the first round and reach more municipalities across Ontario County.
Gorham property owner Tyler Bermon used first-round funding to renovate two properties that he said had fallen into serious disrepair. One had lost its certificate of occupancy, according to his account in the release.
Bermon said the program helped bring the properties up to code, with guidance from the development corporation and the county housing manager. Both were rented before the renovation work ended, he said. The county supplied before-and-after photographs of the two properties with its announcement.
How to seek funding
The development corporation will review proposed projects for eligibility, rehabilitation needs and compliance with program requirements. Applications will continue to be considered while funding remains available; the release does not announce a fixed closing date.
The Vacant Rental Program is administered at the state level by the Office of Community Renewal, part of Homes and Community Renewal, which works with local governments and nonprofits on housing and community-development efforts.
Property owners can contact the Ontario County Economic Development Corporation early in the planning process. The county directs applicants to its Vacant Rental Program information page at ontariocountyny.gov/2313/Vacant-Rental, and Homes and Community Renewal provides statewide program information and guidelines.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
