The NYS Assembly will hold a hearing to review the impact and implementation of the State Budget for housing on December 21, 2015 in Albany.  Additional details here.  The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in Hearing Room C of the Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12248

Written testimony will be accepted for the record until December 28th by email/ mail or fax: szydlom @assembly.state.ny.us   Fax: (518) 455-5182 ;  Mike Szydlo Legislative Analyst, Room 520, Capitol Albany, New York 12248

Ensuring that New Yorkers’ housing needs are being met is a top priority of the Assembly Committee on Housing. Many New Yorkers struggle to find adequate, safe, and affordable housing. Addressing these needs can be challenging when the availability of and accessibility to different types of housing often varies between neighborhoods and communities. New York State’s housing programs offer remedies that focus on individuals and families with varying income levels, disabilities, and other factors. Several of these programs are designed to complement the diversity of New York’s communities and geography. To respond best to the ever-changing needs of New Yorkers, the Committee welcomes feedback from stakeholders within the housing community to understand better the needs and experiences of our citizens as impacted by the State Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Budget.

Attend the Governor’s 2016 State of the State and Executive Budget Address on Wednesday, January 13 at 12:30 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.  Registration opens Monday, December 21 at 12:00 PM. Register on the Governor’s homepage

 

USDA and HUD funding levels for FY 16 are better than anticipated now that domestic spending caps were raised.  (Although they will be lowered again next year). HOME funding levels, proposed at $1,060 million in the Executive Budget, $767 million by the House and  only $66 million by the Senate,  passed in the Omnibus Spending Bill for FY 16 at $ 950 million.  For more details see this link or here

Thank you all for your input during our “lively” annual meeting!  I think there were some very good suggestions and recommendations on how we can all meet State MWBE goals and provide economic opportunities.  One immediate outcome of our meeting will hopefully result in an instructive utilization plan/ form/report/ webinar to help everyone get to contract without delay.

Available here

Once again, the NYS Rural Advocates will hold their annual meeting at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown.  We will spend some time exploring MWBE Goals and its impact on rural contracts with the State. Be sure to attend and join in the conversation.  2015 Annual meeting announcement. Reservations for an overnight stay at the Otesaga should be made on your own, use the NYS Rural Advocates-2 (1)

NYS Rural Advocates have scheduled their annual meeting at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown.  All members are welcome to attend the meeting Wednesday-Thursday, October 28-29, 2015

The Rural Housing Coalition hosted regional meetings around the State in June and Rural Advocate Board Members took the opportunity to present an update on the  State Housing Budget.  What gaps still remain in providing affordable housing in rural New York?  Access to potable, running water and safe disposal of household waste were two housing areas with costs that present an undue hardship to those of modest incomes.  It was agreed that costs of $30,000 for those two items were pretty typical.  This amount is clearly unaffordable when combined with other structural repairs, yet a home is not considered safe and sanitary without taking care of water and waste disposal. Advocates want to hear from you. What would you consider a fair, equitable way to address infrastructure for individual homeowners that would be consistent with smart growth practices?  What range of homeowner contribution would be reasonable?  What typical costs are you seeing in the region?

April 1 2015: NYS Budget is passed!  2015 State Budget

Rural and Neighborhood Preservation and Coalitions have been funded by the Mortgage Insurance Fund at last year’s levels with additional JP Morgan Chase funding $20,259,000 over the next three years.  It is hoped that this allocation will postpone the ”annual RPC/ NPC dance” for a few years.

Along with annual appropriations, increases to programs were made from JP Morgan Chase settlement funds to be distributed over 2-3 years.  There was a significant increase to the annual appropriation of Main Street with an annual line of $4.2 and an additional $5.5 million.  NYS AHC was funded at $29 million, Access to Home, RESTORE, Rural and Urban Community Investment Fund, HHAP and HTF all have increased funding levels. With the combined funding,  it is unclear right now how much will be distributed annually