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February 2018
Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Deliver Relief to Plattsburgh Residents Displaced by Flooding

On February 23rd, Governor Cuomo signed legislation to modify existing state law to provide immediate assistance to residents of the Underwood Estates whose homes were seriously damaged or destroyed by flooding. This action ensures that all residents affected by flooding at Underwood Estates in Plattsburgh are eligible to immediately apply for financial support and can do so immediately.
"Underwood Estates suffered unimaginable damage from ice jams and flooding resulting from the extreme fluctuations in temperature that left 70 homes destroyed and families displaced," Governor Cuomo said. "By signing this measure, New York is ensuring families recover as quickly as possible and delivering access to essential funding that residents need to build back better and stronger."
Governor Cuomo Announces $400,000 Award to Rehabilitate Vacant Single-Family Homes in the City of Syracuse
Governor Cuomo announced a $400,000 award to the City of Syracuse for the acquisition and rehabilitation of approximately 10 vacant homes in the greater Syracuse area. 
"Homeownership is the backbone of our economy and it has unfortunately become increasingly difficult for many hardworking families to achieve and maintain the American Dream,"  Governor Cuomo said. "It is a top priority for this administration to make homeownership attainable for all New Yorkers and to create stronger, more prosperous communities in every corner of this great state." 
Finger Lakes Forward
On February 2nd, Governor Cuomo announced the start of construction at Durand Senior Apartments in Irondequoit, a new $17.5 million affordable housing development for seniors age 55 and over. The apartments will replace two abandoned churches with 70 affordable units, and will be the home of St. Ann's Adult Day Service at Durand, which will provide medical and social adult day care services to residents and the community at large. 
Commissioner Visnauskas said, "This forward-thinking development will provide not only homes, but a central place for Irondequoit seniors to gather with friends, enjoy a good meal, and access the health and wellness services that add to quality of life."
Mohawk Valley
HCR announced a $400,000 award to the City of Oneonta to finance improvements to 10 owner-occupied homes on scattered sites in the City of Oneonta.
Commissioner Visnauskas said , “With today’s announcement, 10 hard-working Oneonta homeowners will have the resources to make critical repairs and improvements that will keep their homes safe and livable for many years to come. These funds make a real difference in people’s lives. We thank Governor Cuomo for his historic commitment to preserving affordable homeownership across New York State.”
The City of Oneonta will provide income-eligible homeowners with up to $40,000 in Affordable Home Ownership Development Program (AHODP) funds per home.
Capital Region
The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley celebrated the completion of a $900,000 renovation at the Center’s location in Troy. The work was accomplished with a $500,000 award from HCR.
The renovations allow the organization to expand and better serve the more than 1,500 people each year who seek support for a variety of a physical, intellectual-, and emotional disabilities.
Commissioner Visnauskas said, “Congratulations to the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley and to people with disabilities throughout the Capital Region who will benefit from the Center’s enhanced accessibility and space, and have a greater opportunity to live independently and thrive in their communities."
New York City
On February 22nd, HCR announced a $3,520,000 award to Restoring Communities Housing Development Fund Corporation for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 94 units across four buildings in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The buildings will be converted to cooperative ownership.
Commissioner Visnauskas said, “Governor Cuomo has demonstrated his commitment to enhancing the lives of New York families by improving living conditions, increasing access to homeownership, and removing blight from our neighborhoods. These funds announced today do just that. We are grateful to our city, nonprofit and private-sector partners for making this project possible.”
HCR Staff Participates in the 47 th Annual
Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Conference in Albany
The New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc. (NYSABPRL) puts on a three-day event every February to benefit their Scholarship Fund for youth entering college. The event brings together the most influential African-American, Hispanic, Caribbean, and Asian leaders from every corner of the Empire State and beyond.
HCR Staff Participates in the 85 th Annual
Association of Towns Meeting and Training School
At the annual Association of Towns of the State of New York meeting, HCR's Charlie Philion conducted a seminar to help town leaders and planners from across the state learn more about how to access Community Development Block Grant funds to improve their communities. The association provides training programs, research and information services, technical assistance, legal services, insurance programs, and a variety of publications to member towns.
HCR Staff Participates in the 9 th Annual
New York Women's Expo at Siena College
HCR’s public information office attended the New York Women’s Expo to provide information on affordable homeownership and repairs, fair housing, and business opportunities.   The New York Women’s Expo is the largest show of its kind featuring more than 180 displays providing information and resources for women on issues such as health, beauty, fitness, wellness, finance, employment, education, and more.
HCR Staff Participates in Governor's Prayer Breakfast
HCR participated in the Governor's Prayer Breakfast in Albany on February 27th. HCR staff provided information to faith leaders from around the state on housing programs and services available in their communities.
Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery Provides $1.7 Million
to Support Community Resiliency Projects in
the Town of Hempstead

Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery is providing $1.7 million in Community Reconstruction disaster recovery funds to help the Town of Hempstead install numerous storm water drainage improvements in Woodmere and Inwood.
The projects will mitigate flooding in high-risk areas by installing backflow prevention devices and increasing pipe capacity in low-lying areas.
During Superstorm Sandy, many of the town's vital roadways were either closed, or became impassable, due to flooding.
New and improved stormwater infrastructure also carries significant health and environmental benefits – filtering out pollutants that spill into nearby waterways, including: Motts Creek, Doxey Brook, Cedar Point Lake, Hook Creek, and Lagoon, and Fosters Brook Lower, as well as areas around Head of Bay and Motts.
HCR Paves the Way for More Healthy,
Smoke-Free Affordable Housing

Hosts Smoke-Free Webinar on March 20th

HCR strongly supports smoke-free housing. Smoke-free housing results in not only healthier tenants, but a healthier, better maintained, and more sustainable stock of affordable housing. That’s why the agency recently removed an impediment to healthy housing that required developers transitioning to smoke-free environments to make exceptions for current smokers. By removing this grandfather rule, the agency is advancing its mission of providing safe, sustainable, affordable homes to people throughout New York. Developers transitioning to smoke-free properties must notify tenants at least 60 days prior to a pending lease renewal.
HCR’s Office of Housing Preservation, in partnership with Smoke-Free Housing NY, will host a free webinar on March 20 th  at 2pm designed to educate affordable housing providers on this change in policy, and equip them with the information and resources they need to maintain healthy, smoke-free properties. The webinar follows a series of workshops HCR hosted at its regional offices around the state to help owners and management companies transition to smoke-free housing.
More information on smoke-free housing can be located at the NYS Smoke-Free Housing website.
Email events@nyshcr.org to register for the webinar.


HUD Rule Requiring Smoke-Free
Public Housing Authority Developments

Takes Effect August 1, 2018

In early 2017, HUD implemented a new rule that required all PHAs in the United States to provide a smoke-free environment for their residents effective August 1 st , 2018. For more information go to https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/smokefree
Upcoming Events
March

Friday 3/9 SOMOS Albany Conference
The Somos Conference serves as a platform for legislators, scholars, business, and labor leaders to address various concerns pertinent to the New York State Hispanic community.
Empire State Plaza, Albany

Tuesday 3/20 Smoke-Free Housing Webinar
2-3 PM. Email events@nyshcr.org to sign up.
HCR’s #SONYMA provides competitive mortgages for
first-time homebuyers! Call 1-800-382-HOME (4663) or visit sonyma.org
Andrew M. Cuomo , Governor I RuthAnne Visnauskas , Commissioner and CEO 
NYS Homes and Community Renewal | www.nyshcr.org