Local housing programs receive major in funding Seton after-use leads local affordable-housing recipients

Dan Heath

Jul. 2, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- PLATTSBURGH -- North Country housing projects are receiving more than $9.3 million in state funding.

Gov. David Paterson said the $137 million from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal will be used to build and rehabilitate 6,415 units of affordable housing throughout the state.

"These awards will help developers leverage an additional $340 million in funding from federal, local and private sources, maximizing the positive impact of our investment," he said in a news release.

"The importance of affordable housing cannot be overstated. It encourages businesses to invest in our state and create jobs. It helps to revitalize communities and downtown neighborhoods and provides a stable and safe environment for working families, senior citizens and people living with disabilities."

CATHERINE GARDENS

The bulk of the local funding went to the Catherine Gardens project in the City of Plattsburgh, which received more than $7.6 million.

That includes tax credits expected to generate $5.2 million in equity funding, $1.4 million from the State Housing Trust Fund, $620,000 from the federal Low-Income Housing Credit Program and $100,000 from the Rural Area Revitalization Projects Program.

Catherine Gardens is being developed by the Senior Citizens Council of Clinton County and Affordable Housing Unlimited. The latter is the entity that will purchase the tax credits.

Senior Citizens Council Executive Director Kathleen Hazel said she was excited when she received word of the funding Tuesday morning. It will be used to build 31 units of affordable housing at the former Seton Catholic property.

She is hopeful work will begin within six weeks.

"Once you get the announcement, everything happens pretty fast."

The project also received $896,000 in Restore NY funding in January, Hazel noted.

TOWN OF PLATTSBURGH

The Town of Plattsburgh received $300,000 in New York HOME Program funding for its Home Improvement Program.

Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said the money will be used to reimburse local contractors who are hired to help income-eligible town residents weatherize or install more-efficient heating systems.

"It will take us some time to put the program together," he said Tuesday. "We need to identify eligible families and eligible contractors."

He hopes to be able to start doing that when the town hosts an Alternative Energy (OOTC:AEGC) Fair in early August.

PRESERVATION COMPANY

The Rural Preservation Co. of Clinton County received $75,000 in Residential Emergency Services to Offer Repairs to the Elderly (RESTORE) funding.

Rural Preservation Co. Executive Director Mary Mattila said the money is used to fund emergency home repairs to eliminate hazardous conditions the owner can't afford to repair in a timely fashion.

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

The Housing Assistance Program of Essex County received $400,000 in HOME funding for Clinton County and $425,000 in RESTORE and HOME funding for Essex County.

The HOME funding will be used to provide home-ownership assistance to individuals and families, including the frail elderly and people with psychiatric and other mental disabilities.

Friends of the North Country received $200,000 for its Clinton County Access to Home Program, to make accessibility renovations for homes with disabled residents, including veterans.

The agency also was awarded $259,200 for its Clinton County Stick-Built for Mobile Home Replacement Demonstration Program, which replaces mobile homes with stick-built homes. That program is funded by multiple sources, including the Affordable Housing Corp.

Friends of the North Country Executive Director Scott Campbell said the program uses local contractors, so the money stays within the community.

"We're always pleased with what we get, and we did OK in this round. We're pleased with the governor's and the legislature's work on housing, particularly in the North Country, and with the investments they're willing to make."

dheath@pressrepublican.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0401-26388733