1.Ulster County will hold a public hearing on May 18, 2021 at 7:00 PM, or soon thereafter as the public may be heard, for the purpose of hearing public comments on the County’s current Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing programs: Ulster County Housing Rehabilitation Program (CDBG 1160HR310-18) and Ulster County Homeownership Program (CDBG 1160HO316-19). Meeting details are as follows:
The public may be heard via Call in Studio by dialing: 205-Ulster-0 (205-857-8370). This hearing will be livestreamed at: https://livestream.com/accounts/1512750/events/1824203
2.The CDBG programs are administered by the New York State Office of Community Renewal (OCR), and provide resources to eligible local governments for housing, economic development, public facilities, public infrastructure, and planning activities, with the principal purpose of benefitting low/moderate income persons. The hearing will provide further information about the progress of the ongoing CDBG programs. Comments related to the effectiveness of administration of CDBG-funded projects will also be received at this time. The hearing is being conducted pursuant to Section 570.486, Subpart I of the CFR and in compliance with the requirements of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.
3.Citizens are urged to express their views on the implementation of the Ulster County Housing Rehabilitation Program(CDBG 1160HR310-18). This Program focuses on home repairs for low- to moderate-income households. This Program was funded with $600,000.00 in CDGB funds. Originally, there was $498,000 allocated for housing rehabilitation work. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic $162,253 in housing rehabilitation funds were reallocated to rental assistance for households that could demonstrate a loss of income and subsequent inability to pay rent due to COVID 19. All the funds allocated to rental assistance have been spent, assisting 61 households. To date, program has expended $267,080.65 in direct assistance for housing rehabilitation, and a total of $69,798.80 in program delivery and administrative costs. A total of $82,400.35 remains for direct housing rehabilitation costs. This Program is on track to perform rehabilitation work on 17 housing units, fewer than the goal of 20 stated in the grant application as a result of the reallocation of funds to rental assistance. No families have been displaced as a result of the Program.
Citizens are also urged to express their views on the implementation of the Ulster County Homeownership Program (CDBG 1160HO316-19). This Program focuses on home buyer assistance with funding available for housing rehabilitation. The Program was funded with $590,000.00 in CDGB funds. To date, the Program has expended $253,514.51 in direct assistance to low- and moderate-income households and a total of $34,913.83 in program delivery and administrative costs. A total of $256,485.49 remains for direct assistance to households. This Program is on track to meet or exceed the goals set out in its application to provide home buyer assistance or home buyer assistance with housing rehabilitation to 20 housing units. No families have been displaced as a result of the Program.
4.Written comments should be directed to Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature, County Office Building, 244 Fair Street, Box 1800, Kingston, New York, 12402 and received no later May 18, 2021 at 5:00 PM.
5.The Ulster County Legislature is committed to making its Public Meetings accessible to individuals with disabilities. If, due to a disability, you need an accommodation or assistance to participate in the Public Hearing or to obtain a copy of the transcript of the Public Hearing in an alternative format in accordance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature at 340-3666.
Dated: April 28, 2021 Victoria A. Fabella, Clerk
Kingston, New York Ulster County Legislature
