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The Dutchess County Legislature’s Budget, Finance, and Personnel Committee has unanimously approved an amendment to add $1 million to the Housing Trust Fund. This amendment, proposed by Democratic Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith, supplements the $1 million already included in County Executive Sue Serino’s proposed budget for 2026. The Housing Trust Fund, established in 2022, supports affordable housing projects in the county.
Valdés Smith emphasized the importance of the additional funding, stating, "I don’t believe the one-million-dollar amendment, bringing us up to two million dollars, will solve everything, but even if we can help more families into housing and provide more development in our county, we are already doing our jobs." She highlighted the financial challenges faced by county residents, noting, "The affordability challenges are here – and they are real."
The full legislature will meet on Monday (December 4) to consider additional amendments to the proposed budget and hold a public hearing on the 2026 spending plan. This move comes amid broader national discussions on housing funding. The federal government recently reopened after a 43-day shutdown, with funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) extended through January 30, 2026. However, there are ongoing debates in Congress regarding the FY26 HUD spending bill, with significant differences between the House and Senate proposals.
The House bill proposes a $2.2 billion reduction in HUD funding, while the Senate bill suggests a $3.3 billion increase over FY25. These decisions will impact the availability of rental assistance vouchers, which currently serve only one in four eligible households.