POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Dutchess County’s commitment to affordable housing took another step forward this week as developers of all sizes, consultants, real estate agents and contractors gathered at the Dutchess County Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Applicant Workshop, hosted by the County’s Department of Planning & Development at the Dutchess Farm and Home Center in Millbrook, to learn how to apply for the second round of HTF funding, which includes up to $3 million for the creation or preservation of affordable housing, including smaller-scale projects in rural areas.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “The strong attendance at our workshop shows that local developers want to help solve the housing shortage that has affected communities throughout the nation, like ours. Affordable housing is important for the health of our community and economy, and our Housing Trust Fund helps us do more than build homes. It helps people build better lives. We appreciate the developers who attended for contributing to Dutchess County’s ongoing efforts to create, improve and maintain affordable housing, helping ensure that all individuals and families have safe and stable places to live and grow.”
A flexible funding source aimed at creating and preserving affordable housing options, the HTF is one of Dutchess County’s tools for addressing housing challenges. This initiative is part of the County’s broader strategy to tackle housing affordability and availability issues, ensuring that residents have access to safe and affordable living options. Applications are now open for local developers of all sizes to apply for funding; application instructions and guidance are available online. The application is available through Dutchess County’s online grant portal, and the deadline for applying is Monday, June 9.
Hosted by the County’s Department of Planning & Development, the recent applicant workshop provided developers an opportunity to learn more about the HTF’s objectives and the application process, offering valuable insight into this second round of HTF funding. Attendees received an overview of available funding options, examples of projects eligible for support and direct guidance from Planning & Development staff on the application process.
The HTF helps create and preserve affordable housing units across Dutchess County, addressing a challenge that continues to affect low- and moderate-income families, both locally and nationwide. This second round of HTF funding focuses on the program’s Housing Creation and Preservation (HCP) component, which supports affordable rental housing through new construction, rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, property acquisition and preservation of existing units.
Dutchess County welcomes proposals from a wide range of developers, from large firms to first-time applicants, as it seeks to support innovative and sustainable housing solutions. Developers who were unable to attend the workshop are encouraged to visit the Department of Planning & Development’s website, where they can find detailed information about project eligibility, application requirements and examples of past funded developments.
