Town seeks state help for home improvements
The Town Board agrees to seek assistance from a state agency for repairs or improvements to about 20 homes.
The Town Board has agreed to seek assistance from the state Affordable Housing Corp. for repairs or improvements to about 20 homes.
At a board meeting Wednesday, town Supervisor Fred Costello said $25,000 to $35,000 in nointerest loans would be available for each project if the town’s application is approved.
“We had done programs like this ... in the past,” he said. “Sometimes we’ve been approved for grants, sometimes not.”
Under the resolution, the housing agency RUPCO would submit the application and administer the funds.
“These financial resources will be made available after a canvas of our community and folks in the most need who have owner-occupied properties would be the immediate beneficiaries,” Costello said. “The opportunity to spend this money is (for) any home challenge that we may face that helps us maintain our housing stock.”
RUPCO officials, in a letter to the Town Board, noted that there are 120 homes in Ulster County that are on a list of potential applicants, and 31 are located in the town.
“Eligible repairs will be based upon the identified needs of the homeowner in addition to a whole house assessment to identify any health and safety issues by RUPCO’s rehab specialist,” the agency said. “The average grants will be in the $25,000 range with flexibility for a maximum subsidy of $35,000 based upon identified needs. Assistance will be provided in the form of a zero percent deferred loan with a forgivable term based upon the amount of funding.”
Under the plan, RUPCO will provide construction management assistance for the homeowners and require contractors to sign a contract that guarantees the work.
“Typical repairs and improvements ... (include) window replacement, electric and plumbing systems, fixtures, removing health and safety hazards, heating and electrical systems, hot and cold water systems, energy efficiency upgrades, lead hazard reduction, general carpentry improvements, structural or foundation repair, flooring, and building safety and code violations in addition to accessibility modifications,” the agency said.