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

Chairwoman of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee, Megan Sperry, and Deputy Chair Herbert Litts, III 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, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the New York State Office of Community Renewal have promulgated regulations governing the participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Community Renewal administers the CDBG Program with funding allocated from HUD; and

WHEREAS, the objective of the CDBG Program is to provide decent housing, and a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities for people primarily of low and moderate income; and

WHEREAS, the New York State Office of Community Renewal (NYSOCR) has published a Notice of Funding Availability for the New York State CDBG Program with 47 million dollars in CDBG funds available for housing and infrastructure activities including housing rehabilitation, assistance to manufactured parks, lateral connection assistance (drinking water and sewer systems), and well and septic replacement that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income persons for the program year 2024; and

WHEREAS, the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 authorized non- entitlement counties with populations of less than 200,000 to participate in the CDBG Program; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County as a non-entitlement County is eligible to apply for up to $1,500,000.00 for these housing-rehabilitation and infrastructure activities with no more than $750,000.00 for housing rehabilitation; and

WHEREAS, the CDBG program is highly flexible, allowing communities to develop an approach to housing rehabilitation and infrastructure improvement that best suits their needs; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County has sought input on its CDBG application at a public hearing held on June 18, 2024, in accordance with the rules and regulations required by HUD and NYSOCR in connection with applications for HUD CDBG funding; and

WHEREAS, aft er considering the comments at the public hearing, the County’s understanding of its housing needs, the available funding, and other ongoing housing and infrastructure activities, the County of Ulster desires to submit a CDBG application for housing rehabilitation assistance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Executive or 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 purposes of housing rehabilitation for substandard owner-occupied housing on scattered sites, and drinking water and sewer system infrastructure improvements or planning funds for manufactured home parks also on scattered sites, consistent with the funding levels, purposes, and other criteria as provided for in the Request for Applications; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the County Director of Planning is hereby authorized to act as certifying officer including the filing of any certifications necessary for the purposes of implementing this award; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of all grant applications submitted shall be filed with the Clerk of the Legislature prior to or immediately upon submission to NYSOCR;             

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                       NOES:             

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

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

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$ 1,500,000.00 –ANTICIPATED FEDERAL REVENUE DOLLARS

                           (PASS THROUGH NYS HOUSING TRUST FUND CORP.)