Governor Hochul Announces $50 Million Available to Counties to Help Combat Housing Crisis
(Nov. 26, 2024) On Nov. 22nd, Governor Hochul announced the launch of the County Infrastructure Grant Program, which will provide up to $50 million to help counties combat the housing crisis by funding small- to medium-scale county-led infrastructure projects across the state, with enhanced awards for projects supporting the creation of housing projects of 10 units or more.
Available to counties outside of NYC, the program focuses on priority capital projects that support the creation of housing, contribute to placemaking, and further encourage visitation and tourism. Administered by Empire State Development (ESD), the program will support counties with infrastructure costs with a housing-centric focus. Grants of up to $500,000 are available to support small- and moderate-scale priority projects identified by the county which support economic development, contribute to placemaking, or encourage tourism. Enhanced awards of up to $1 million are available for projects supporting the creation of housing with 10 or more units.
More information on the program is available on the ESD website.
This year’s State budget agreement continued the $25 billion, five-year housing spending plan first enacted in 2022 to create or preserve 100,000 affordable units, including 10,000 units with supportive services for vulnerable populations, and to electrify an additional 50,000 homes. Among other initiatives, the housing plan includes $300 million in capital for affordable housing targeted to low-income older adults. The Governor reports that more than 45,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.
Last August, Governor Hochul also announced the Pro-Housing Communities Program. Pro-Housing Community certification, reflecting a commitment to housing growth, is now a requirement for localities to access up to $650 million in State discretionary funding. To date, more than 200 communities have been certified, including NYC.
Contact: Annalyse Komoroske Denio, akomoroskedenio@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8866