HCR Announces Public Comment Period for the Annual Action Plan

In order to maintain its eligibility to administer federal funds for affordable housing and community development, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) must prepare an Annual Action Plan (AAP) and submit it to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The AAP describes the State’s proposed use of available federal and other resources to address the priority needs and specific objectives in the Consolidated Plan; the State’s method for distributing funds to local governments and not-for-profit organizations; and the geographic areas of the state to which it will direct assistance.

The AAP also describes NYS’s planned use of approximately $68 million in federal fiscal year 2014 funds for the: NYS Community Development Block Grant Program ($42 million); HOME Investment Partnerships Program ($19 million); Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program ($2.1 million); and Emergency Solutions Grants Program ($5.3 million). Senior housing development uses many of these funds for gap financing for new construction and redevelopment.

HCR has announced that a 30-day public comment period on the AAP will begin on Weds., April 9, 2014 and extend through the close of business on Thurs., May 8, 2014.

Beginning on April 9, 2014, NYS’s draft AAP for 2014 may be viewed on and downloaded from the NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) website at http://www.nyshcr.org/

Comments should be mailed to:  NYS HCR, Attention: Alison Russell, 38-40 State Street, Albany, NY 12207 or emailed to HCRConPln@nyshcr.org.  Comments must be received or postmarked by close of business Thurs., May 8, 2014.

Contact: Ken Harris, kharris@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8835