Referred to: The Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee (Chairwoman Sperry and Legislators Clinton, Corcoran, Hewitt, Litts, Stewart and Walls), The Health, Human Services and Housing Committee (Chairman Uchitelle and Legislators Collins, Corcoran, Harmon, Kitchen, Lopez, and McCollough), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, and Roberts)

Chairman of the Health, Human Services and Housing Committee, Abe Uchitelle, and Deputy Chair Craig V. Lopez offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the County Executive on behalf of the Department of Planning; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County’s Housing Action Plan and its Housing Smart Communities Initiative illuminates the significant housing shortages within the county and includes a recommendation to support the creation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 501 of October 2022 the Ulster County Legislature authorized and application to the HTFC whereby the County in partnership with the City of Kingston and RUPCO was awarded $1,750,000.00 for the construction of ADUs within the County; and

WHEREAS,  the New York State Housing Trust Fund (HTFC) As Part of NYS Homes and Community Renewal has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for inviting eligible  applicants which must include partnership between a non-profit housing organization and a municipal and/or county government to apply for funding from the Plus One ADU Program for Round 2, an initiative to create and improve Accessory Dwelling  Units (ADUs); and

WHEREAS, the County is eligible for the Round 2 funding provided however that its municipal partner (s) is not the City of Kingston; and

WHEREAS, the existing ADU program 81 applications, are from around the County and including the municipalities where ADU’s are permitted such as Ellenville, Esopus, New Paltz(v), Rosendale, Saugerties, and Woodstock and these applications significantly exceed the amount of funding that is available; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County application for Round 2 funding from the ADU Program would engage the municipalities noted above where there are already applications as well as RUPCO; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County will serve as the lead applicant with responsibilities for submittal of the application and administrative responsibility for the funding as well as the coordination role with local officials that includes zoning, history of violations; and

WHEREAS, the where practical municipal partners will assume the coordination roll for local approvals as noted above; and

WHEREAS, RUPCO has agreed that it will assume the responsibilities of determining the income qualification of applicants, securing the services of appropriate design professionals, working with individual homeowners, construction oversight, etc.; and

WHEREAS, if awarded, together the partners will develop a more detailed work program that formalizes their respective responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County, together with the partners are eligible to apply for up to $2,00,000.00 for the Plus One ADU Program  and recognizing that no more than $125,000.00; shall be made available for each ADU created; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Executive or her designee is hereby authorized to submit an application, as well as all necessary understandings, assurances, and additional information as may be required, to the New York State Office of Community Renewal for the Plus One ADU Program Round 2 consistent with the funding levels, purposes, and other criteria as provided for in the Request for Applications; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Executive or her designee is hereby authorized to submit any and all necessary understandings, assurances and additional information as may be required from municipal partners and/or RUPCO as partners in the application; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that Ulster County in keeping with past policy will not take any administrative expenses in relation to this funding if awarded,   

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                     NOES:    

Passed Committee:  Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture on _____________.

Passed Committee:  Health, Human Services and Housing on _____________.

Passed Committee:  Ways and Means on _____________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$ 2,000.000.00 – ADDITIONAL REVENUE DOLLARS

(PASS THROUGH NYS HOUSING TRUST FUND CORP.)