Hinchey Addresses Affordable Housing Needs

KINGSTON – Senator Michelle Hinchey announced that a total of over $4.5 million in combined funds has been awarded to several nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Hudson region to build new housing and bolster supportive services for vulnerable residents, including veterans, seniors citizens, victims of domestic violence, young people aging out of the foster care system, chronically homeless individuals and families, and people living with health, mental health and/or substance use disorder.

“Every New Yorker deserves a safe, stable and affordable home, and yet, across our upstate communities, we are facing a severe shortage of housing supply which dramatically impacts local affordability — an issue that is increasing homelessness and making it impossible for people to address the underlying challenges that often perpetuate housing instability,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “This significant level of state funding will help local nonprofits, including Family of Woodstock, RUPCO, and Catholic Charities, deliver stable housing and a strong continuum of services that are designed to keep our neighbors healthy and safe. Finding real, large-scale solutions to address the housing crisis in Ulster County and across New York is a top priority, and I will continue to fight for investment in more affordable housing options for upstate New Yorkers.”

Mid-Hudson nonprofits serving Senator Hinchey’s district that have been selected to receive funding through the latest rounds of the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP) and the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) are below.

Mid-Hudson Valley RUPCO

* $585,694 ESSHI award to build a 57-unit apartment complex for seniors in Highland, NY.

* $103,200 NYSSHP award to continue serving 40 individuals who are elderly or disabled living at the Stuyvesant building in Uptown Kingston. Tenants receive support services from a Case Manager to help them live independently and remain stably housed.
Catholic Charities of Fulton & Montgomery Counties

* $20,640 NSSHP award to support casework needs for residents of Catholic Charities Housing.

Family of Woodstock

* $193,800 NYSSHP award to hire staff to provide housing and case management support as part of Family of Woodstock’s Long Term Housing and Case Management Program.

* Up to $2.5 million in ESSHI funding per year to pay the cost of operating, providing support services, and paying rent for targeted populations, including survivors of domestic violence, veterans, youth without family support, and individuals experiencing homelessness and/or struggling with substance use disorder. This grant will fund a collaboration of RUPCO, Catholic Charities, and Family, in which RUPCO will be responsible for the construction and Catholic Charities and Family will provide case management and other supports.

* $1,154,064 in ESSHI funding will be available annually as part of a 160-unit project to redevelop the old County Jail facility on Golden Hill. The ESSHI funding will provide 48 units of permanent supportive housing which will meet affordable workforce housing needs as well as accommodation for seniors. As part of this project, Family will provide support services for 26 units housing domestic violence survivors and 22 units for the frail elderly.

Michael Berg, Executive Director of the Family of Woodstock, said, “Family is very excited to be successful in applying for operating money which will make it much more likely that these two critical projects will be built. The County is in desperate need of affordable housing, and when open, these two projects will help a great deal.”

Vince Colonno, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, said, “Thanks to this funding from NYSSHP, residents of Catholic Charities Housing have access to the support they need to live full and successful lives, however they choose to measure that success. Residents work with case managers to access supportive services, such as help with job applications, apartment searches and support transitioning to independent housing. The assistance they receive allows them to build a life of their choosing and I am grateful to Senator Hinchey and NYSSHP for making this possible.”

Kevin O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of RUPCO, said, “RUPCO is excited to receive a conditional ESSHI award for Silver Gardens, a 57 apartment senior campus approved to be built in Highland, NY. The funding will provide permanent supportive housing for 29 seniors including the frail elderly and other seniors with special needs who are without a home. ESSHI funding will provide stable, affordable housing with supports so that our most vulnerable seniors can attain better health outcomes and live with dignity.”

Senator Michelle Hinchey represents the 46th Senate District, which includes Greene and Montgomery Counties and parts of Albany, Schenectady, and Ulster Counties. Senator Hinchey serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Energy and Telecommunications, Environmental Conservation, and Local Government Committees.