NYS AHC approves $1.45m in grants for 122 units of affordable housing

According to governor Paterson, $1.45 million in grants has been approved to help build and renovate 122 units of affordable housing in NYS. The grants, to Kings, Onondaga and Yates counties, reinforce the governor's commitment to the creation and preservation of affordable housing throughout the state. The grants were approved by the NYS Affordable Housing Corp. (AHC), which makes grants to not-for-profit housing organizations around the state to help subsidize the cost of newly constructed homes and the renovation of existing housing. "These grants demonstrate our commitment to building affordable housing and strengthening neighborhoods in every corner of NYS," said Paterson. "They will help a wide variety of communities, from urban areas in Brooklyn to the city of Syracuse and its surrounding areas to the rural areas of Yates County." Senator John Bonacic, chair of the senate housing committee, said, "The need for affordable housing throughout NYS is insatiable. Senator DeFrancisco has discussed with me the need for the renovation of 62 single family homes in the Syracuse area and I am delighted that Home HeadQuarters will receive a grant to finance those improvements. I commend governor Paterson for his efforts to ensure important affordable housing renovation projects are funded." Senator Liz Krueger said, "I am pleased that the Paterson administration is taking a proactive approach to NYS' affordable housing crisis. These AHC grants will allow local nonprofits to address the desperate need for quality affordable housing in their communities." Assemblyman Vito Lopez, chair of the assembly housing committee, said, "I would like to commend governor David Paterson and Priscilla Almodovar for continuing to make the development of affordable housing units a top priority. These homeownership opportunities are vital to continuing the revitalization of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Yates and Onondaga Counties." Assembly member Mike Fitzpatrick said, "I would like to thank the governor for his leadership and continuing commitment to the creation of housing opportunities for people at the low and middle income levels." Priscilla Almodovar, AHC president and CEO, said, "AHC is proud to be able to help finance affordable housing in so many diverse communities in NYS. These grants will improve our aging housing stock in Onondaga and Yates counties and further our investment in communities for working families in Brooklyn." The projects are as follows: * N.Y.C.: AHC approved a $967,500 grant to the Housing Partnership Development Corp. to build 30 units on scattered sites in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. * Onondaga County: AHC approved a $300,000 grant to Home HeadQuarters to finance improvements to 62 single-family homes in Syracuse and the surrounding county. * Yates County: AHC approved a $180,000 grant to Keuka Housing Council, Inc. to renovate 30 homes in the county.