NYSADAH conference and ribbon cuttings bring housing advocates to western New York

Several events held this week in Western New York once again demonstrated Governor Paterson's commitment to creating affordable housing and to revitalizing Upstate New York's communities and economy. Michael Skrebutenas, assistant secretary to the governor for economic development, joined commissioner VanAmerongen, executive deputy commissioner Brian Lawlor and several other DHCR officials at a ribbon cutting to mark the opening of a beautiful new supportive housing residence in Fredonia New York. During her remarks, the commissioner announced that DHCR had also recently approved funding awards for two other supportive housing facilities in Batavia and Seneca Falls. The New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) held its fifth annual Upstate conference at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo. NYSAFAH has more than 250 members, including developers, general contractors, architects, lenders, equity investors and other housing professionals. The organization has been an indispensable partner to DHCR in creating new affordable housing in New York State. NYSAFAH executive director Bernie Carr made note of Governor Paterson's strong commitment to affordable housing and introduced commissioner VanAmerongen, who gave the crowd an overview of the major housing initiatives of the last year, as well as the drastic recent developments in the housing market. During the NYSAFAH conference, executive deputy commissioner Lawlor participated in a panel discussion on "Moving Projects Ahead in a Troubled Market." Deputy commissioner David Cabrera took part in a discussion on "Mitchell-Lama Preservation Strategies" and assistant commissioner Sean Fitzgerald participated in a panel to discuss DHCR's Qualified Allocation Plan. Assistant commissioner Thomas Vannortwick, director of the Division's WNY office, participated in an event with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to announce the renovation of six abandoned, boarded-up and vandalized homes in the City's West Side. As part of the State's "Block by Block" program, these distressed buildings will soon be energy efficient homes that will help stabilize the entire block.