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Ellenville, Rochester, and Saugerties will share nearly $483,000 in state grant money to support new housing development. The funding, announced on Monday (February 24) by Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration, comes from the Pro-Housing Community Program, which aims to help local governments increase their housing supply and address ongoing shortages.
According to Hudson Valley One, the village of Ellenville will receive $200,000, the town of Rochester $167,000, and the town of Saugerties $115,750. These technical assistance grants are designed to pay for professional services such as planning, engineering, and zoning analyses, which are often required before new housing can be built. The funds can also be used for updating master plans, conducting market studies, evaluating public properties for potential development, and streamlining building permits.
Governor Kathy Hochul said in a press release that the program is a partnership between the state and local governments and “tackles the housing shortage, makes it possible for people to live in the communities of their choice, and serves as an effective vehicle for aligning housing and local economic development.” The initiative recognizes municipalities that actively work to unlock their housing potential, with certified pro-housing communities gaining access to more funding opportunities. As reported by Daily Freeman, these communities are now eligible for up to $750 million in discretionary state funding.
The Pro-Housing Community Program, launched in 2023, has supported activities such as creating housing needs assessments, preparing requests for proposals, and evaluating the impact of proposed housing projects, according to Mid Hudson News. Since its inception, the program has helped support the creation of up to 20,000 more homes statewide.
Looking ahead, Ellenville, Rochester, and Saugerties will use the grant funds to take steps that could bring more housing options to local residents and meet the growing demand for affordable homes.