U-Act housing committee

UACT AFFORDABLE AND LOW INCOME HOUSING COMMITTEE

2024 GOALS

1. Continue to fight for 15% set aside for affordable housing for all new housing developments over 20 units in the town and village of New Paltz.

• Track the proposed New Paltz Apartments complex to ensure that 15% of affordable units are appropriate for families and individuals who are not necessarily students

2. Attend and/or participate in county wide committees where low income and affordable housing can be promoted. 

3. Track progress of the Manheim Mews senior apartments in New Paltz

4. Advocate for more funding on county, state and national level for low income and affordable housing.

• Meet with elected officials inviting them to hear our asks and to tell us about how they are supporting the development of low income and affordable housing. 

Housing Committee report April 2022

UACT HOUSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE

December, 2021

LiboltSenior Housing Project- Village of New Paltz

Susan Denton has been meeting regularly with Keith Libolt reviewing plans as they emerge. Jacki and Susan met with Keith to go over his budget submission to apply for tax credits to the State with Keith explaining the mandatory budget amounts based on algorithms for the number of units. The rent cost will be more than anticipated unless other subsidies or cost reductions can be realized. The Housing Committee remains supportive since it still is much more affordable than similar housing in New Paltz but we will explore ways that might help reduce the rent.  

Ulster County Good Cause Eviction proposed law.

The Committee  agreed to support the legislation and will present a letter at the next public hearing. Although there could  be some tweaking of the language, we believe it gives much needed protections for renters particularly during this severe housing crisis and the recent trend of large corporations buying up housing complexes and then jacking up the rents beyond 5%, often making it unaffordable for the current tenants. 

Letter to County Executive Director Ryan and Deputy Executive Wright

Kitty Brawn drafted a letter that our Committee agreed to send to the Executive and the Deputy Executive asking if the $800,000 in the County budget set aside for housing planning could be reallocated to an interest free revolving loan fund to pay for vouchers, month in advance, security deposits or down payments. We also asked for updates on the establishment of a County Land Bank.

Letters to the Editor- HV1

Jacki’s and Tom Denton’s LTE’s on the housing crisis were published and Tom Rocco just submitted one. 

submitted by Jacki B

UACT AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT

NOVEMBER 2021

• THE PROPOSED LIBOLT AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT IN THE VILLAGE OF NEW PALTZ

The Housing Committee continues to be involved with the housing developer Keith LiBolt and his proposed affordable and low income senior housing project in the village of New Paltz.  Susan Denton is the committee’s representative to the project and has been in frequent communication with Keith who has shared his blueprints and process required in order to develop the project. He must obtain a municipal pilot in order to be build the affordable senior housing.

Members of the committee walked the property on South Mannheim, site of the project,  to better understand its proposed development and to ensure we are well informed when we give public support to the project. 

The committee has met with Tim Rogers to discuss the project and he is in favor of negotiating a municipal pilot with Keith.  Since in general the mayor doesn’t support giving PILOTs but in this instance since it will be a low and affordable, income based senior housing project and with a municipal pilot issued by the village, he supports it. 

RECOMMENDATION:

Refer to the PILOT as a municipal pilot to gain more widespread acceptance

Support the issuing of the municipal pilot and the development of this project

Attend planning meetings when project is on the agenda

• LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

We have started our letters to the editor on the efficacy of creating affordable housing for a sustainable and thriving community.  Jacki’s appeared in HV1 and Tom D’s has been submitted.  Every couple of weeks during the rest of the year letters will appear. The letters will be informative and will have talking points that can be used in promoting the need for low income and affordable housing. 

• ACTION REQUEST:

Become a low income and affordable housing “ambassador” .  Talk it up among friends and within your groups and organizations.  Attend planning meetings and speak it up.

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Affordable Housing Committee Report

October 2021

1. Refined our mission to read:

Fight for policies and projects that advance the development of housing for median and low income households.

We clarified that although there are many worthy issues such as environmental, density,  traffic and as well as others to consider in any housing development, our focus will be solely on affordability for low and median income households    

2. After having been in contact with developer Keith LiBolt and Mayor Tim Rogers about the LiBolts proposed low income senior housing development on South Mannheim in New Paltz, we have decided to accept Keith’s offer to be involved in looking at and commenting on plans as they evolve. Susan Denton will be the liaison between the LiBolts and our Housing Committee

3. A main goal for the committee is to educate and shape public opinion about the need for low and median income housing linking it to the general welfare of the entire community. To that end, our initial action is to submit a LTE every 2 weeks highlighting some aspect of the need. Committee members will take turns in writing the LTEs.

4. The summary of Pat Ryan’s 2022 budget indicates the bulk of funding for housing will be for the development of workforce and senior housing at the Golden Hill site in Kingston. Another small amount will be devoted to helping communities in their plans to develop affordable housing \.

5. The good cause eviction proposed law in the village

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HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT

August 8, 2021

The committee is continuing to have meetings with elected officials, non profit housing developer RUPCO and are now scheduling meetings with private developers.  We are gathering information to better understand the best way to encourage the development of low cost and affordable housing. 

In the past weeks we were involved in two major actions, giving comment during the SEQRA scoping session’s public hearing on the proposed New Paltz Apartments (Moriello) project. Questions and concerns about the project were raised by Tom Rocco, Ellen Rocco, Tom Denton, Susan Denton and Jacki Brownstein.  UActers Carol Nolan and Liz Lee attended. 

Ellen Rocco and Jacki Brownstein attended the Village Board meeting which included a review of the proposed  Lalo ( The Pit) project, Jacki spoke about the lack of attending to the previous village covenant  and deed in the site plan and the use of the site for the proposed restaurant, catering facility, offices and 50 unit hotel instead of affordable housing. 

The committee discussed supporting the proposed GOOD CAUSE EVICTION law being proposed in the village of New Paltz. Not all members agreed in giving support to the law.  More discussions will be held.

Committee member Lin Sakai is going to concentrate on county wide county housing issues and bring back information and possible actions to the committee. 

FORTHCOMING ACTIONS:

Attend Town and Village meetings when the New Paltz Apartments and the Lalo project are on the agenda as well as other issues pertaining to low income and affordable housing

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HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT
July, 2021

Meeting with NP county legislators Eve Walter and Jim Delaune. Key points:

1. Communicated our interest in seeing the development of low income and affordable housing in UC and in NP and asked their help and support in seeing it materialize,

2. Currently they are supporting the establishment of a County Land Bank and the need for infrastructure updating in order to support development of affordable housing. 

3. Eve supports a floating zone concept as well as the need to build higher. 

4. Jim suggested we meet with developers to get their take on the challenges of developing affordable housing. Talked about the need to require a plan for affordable units if a developer purchases County or Town land 

Meeting  with RUPCO.  Key points:  

1.  New Paltz is a high opportunity housing area, quality schools, pleasant community, etc.

2. Securing sites for affordable housing development biggest challenges.

• To be affordable for RUPCO the building has to have at least 50 units

• Unless large footprint that means 4-5 stories

• Uses the “smart site criteria” to assess suitability of site

3. In New Paltz greatest challenges to development is a prevailing attitude against development and a perceived conflict with environmental concerns.  It’s easy to oppose any development on a number of factors.

4. Funding for RUPCO comes primarily from low income tax credits. Plus marrying a number of funding sources.

5. RUPCO interested in a variety of housing development , senior, low income, home ownership, homeless and for disabled, boarding home.  They seek out opportunities where they can and decide the most likely kind of development that is possible 

6. They look to us to articulate the needs in New Paltz

7. Important to have a community conversation.  People become interested when there is a proposed project. RUPCO would welcome our support when they are looking at sites 

8. They feel it would be worthwhile to hire an outside planner that would look at the comprehensive plan and zoning issues.  Applying for county funding for both town and village together. 

9. Ideally would love to see a mixed housing plan, commercial, services, senior, disabled and low income

.

10. Innovative ways to solve infrastructure issues like sewer hookup by creating safe and efficient innovations like community sewers. 

          11. Much of the power is in the hands of the planning boards, thus  taking some pressure off elected officials. 

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HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT
JUNE, 2021

These past months we have been attending and speaking out for low income and affordable housing at New Paltz Town and Village Board meetings. Letters have been sent stating our interests and questions to the mayor, supervisor and board members.

In a changing environment and with changing policies in the county, we are trying to clarify what help municipalities can get from the county for housing planning and infrastructure. 

In particular, we are gathering information relevant to the development of the “Pit” in New Paltz so that we can better advocate for a project that would include affordable housing. The same goes for the Moriello project although the Lalo project for the Pit seems to be moving faster.  We met with former Village mayor  Terence Dungan who has a lot of information regarding the history of the original village deed for the Pit. 

We have been talking about how to bring the New Paltz community together to talk about how the  planning for affordable housing is key to New Paltz’s future well being. Originally we were planning to organize a forum on low income and affordable housing but have decided instead to explore the possibility of organizing a charette-A meeting in which all stakeholders in a project attempt to  map solutions and resolve possible conflicts-or a similar process.We will meet with some stakeholders to access its feasibility.

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May 2021 Housing Committee Report

The housing committee members are taking turns attending New Paltz town and village board meetings to bring up affordable housing issues during the public comment period. WE ENCOURAGE OTHER UACT MEMBERS TO DO THE SAME, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOUSING DIFFICULTIES.

We are 1)urging that a timely housing plan be created that takes into consideration the current  housing crisis in New Paltz and in Ulster County, 2) asking how the proposed Moriello 614 unit development will address the residents need for affordable housing, 3)asking how Ulster County Housing Action Plan will be utilized in any New Paltz plan.

We are formulating questions on housing to be asked of our elected officials at the forum being planned for June.  

We are planning a community affordable housing forum to be held in September.  The goal is to stimulate public interest in the question, starting a dialogue on the efficacy of affordable housing development as not only a social justice issue but as a necessity for maintaining a healthy community- to enable seniors to remain in the community, for a stable work force, for young people to stay locally, etc.-.( The report, “Projecting Trends in Severely Cost-Burdened Renters: 2015-2025,” predicts a growing affordability crisis especially among seniors, Hispanics, and single-person households. Even if housing and income trends turn more favorable, demographic forces will exert continued upward pressure on the number of severely cost-burdened renters, according to the report.)

We continue to inform ourselves of local, state and national issues that impact housing. 

April 7, 2021 Meeting Minutes

ACTION: 

Call Kingston Mayor Steve Noble supporting the erection of tiny homes and to save Chiz’s residence in Kingston. 

Committee members met with NP Town Supervisor Neil Bettez.  

Key points made by Supervisor:

-need to convince residents that creation of affordable housing is not a trade off with consideration of environmental factors

-Board 100% in support of developing affordable housing

-looking at created refs and laws to support affordability but need to make sure they withstand law suits

-better if county creates the laws.  Too expensive for the localities.

-talked about process in village annexation of Moriello property.  The town will share in the tax revenue

        NOTE: KEY ADVOCACY ISSUE FOR UACT -THE KIND OF AFFORDABLE UNITS THAT WILL BE SET ASIDE FROM THE 640 UNIT MORIELLO PROPOSAL

-Question: Can town create a 10% set aside for affordable units in multiple housing developments? Not fully answered)

- water and septic issues key problem for greater density zoning

Committee members met with NP Mayor Tim Rogers.

Key points made by Mayor:

-if there could be a density bonus as there is for senior housing, perhaps it would encourage development of affordable housing

-more flexibility in 10% affordability requirement to enable developer to put in units that are smaller than rest of the development for smaller families or singles.

-support of short term rentals in private homes if it is permanent home of owner, same for building of accessory apartments

-how far up to build.  Currently a three story community.

-if village applies and gets grants for affordable housing who would administer them. Village doesn’t have the capacity.

-consider hiring an housing officer

Some key areas to work on:

-pay close attention to Moriello annexation. Attend and comment during public hearings and forums.

-LTE, possible forum, UAct maintaining on going contact with elected officials

ACTION:

Sign Action Network Petition: please read and go to link to sign

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/petition-for-emergency-rental-assistance?clear_id=true&source=facebook

Petition for Emergency Rental Assistance/ Petición de asistencia de alquiler de emergencia

MAYOR STEVE NOBLE, ULSTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE PATRICK RYAN, CITY OF KINGSTON COMMON COUNCIL, ULSTER COUNTY LEGISLATURE/ ALCALDE STEVE NOBLE, EJECUTIVO DEL CONDADO DE ULSTER PATRICK RYAN, CONSEJO COMÚN DE LA CIUDAD DE KINGSTON, LEGISLATURA DEL CONDADO DE ULS

Ulster County is currently facing a housing crisis that demands immediate attention. That’s why we’re calling upon the County Legislature, County Executive and municipal executives to take action now to ensure that all Ulster County residents have access to housing that is safe and affordable. We ask our elected officials to implement the following housing actions and reforms: Our Demands for Ulster County and Kingston City Representatives:

1. Declare a Universal Eviction Moratorium—applicable to all stages of eviction—through the duration of the public health emergency to keep more renters safely in their homes. 

2. Cancel all rent and mortgage payments for tenants, small businesses, and homeowners experiencing economic hardship through the duration of the public health emergency.  

3. Immediately conduct a Kingston city vacancy study and pass rent control in line with the Emergency Tenant Protection Act.

4. Commit to updating zoning laws and ordinances in collaboration with community stakeholders, including the Ulster County Coalition for Housing Justice.

5. Agree to a county-wide definition of “Affordable Housing” that is tied to the average hourly wage of renters in the county rather than Area Median Income. 

6. To ensure low-income residents are not rent-burdened, commit to ensuring that Ulster County residents pay no more than 25% of monthly income towards rent and 5% towards utilities.

7. Ensure that at least 25% of all Ulster County housing meets the above definitions of affordable housing.

8. Prevent displacement and quickly re-house rent-burdened or homeless individuals through legislation and/or supplemental policies, including:

• Immediately greenlight the use of the lot at 615 Broadway to build tiny homes in order to provide housing for at least 30 unhoused individuals.

• Utilize a portion of incoming stimulus funds to purchase Chiz’s Heart Street Boarding House, which is being forced to close as of May 2021 due to its commercial sale. Following the model of the Patriots Project on Wurts Street, the project can be publicly owned, but operated by a non- profit. 

• Work with the Kingston Land Trust to purchase current homes for sale in order to create affordable housing; transfer ownership of vacant, city-owned properties for immediate renovations and/or building of affordable housing.

• Provide funding and support (including necessary zoning allowances) for an Accessory Dwelling Unit program that enables community members to transform carriage houses and other structures on their property into affordable housing.

• 9. Incentivize landlords by offering tax abatements to those who:

• offer rents that conform to the aforementioned definition of “affordable housing”

• make improvements to dwellings while maintaining affordable housing status

Mission: 

• To encourage, advocate and pursue policies for the development of low income and affordable housing in New Paltz and surrounding communities and in Ulster County as a whole

Action steps:

• Educate ourselves, UAct members and the community as a whole on policies, regulations and projects that discourage and/or encourage the development of low income and/or affordable housing. Review housing planning documents.

• · Fight against policies and practices that are racist and inhibit black and brown residents from obtaining and maintaining decent rentals and the opportunity for home ownership.

• · Meet with elected officials and planners and attend town board meetings and public hearings to promote implementation of our mission.

• · Partner with other organizations and officials with similar missions

 For further information: 

• UC Housing Strategic Plan

• Housing Crisis in UC, Ulster County Coalition for Housing Justice webinar

• Ulster County Housing Action Plan, 2021

 Contact person:

• Jacki Brownstein, jackilew@hvc.rr.com, 914 388 2049

 Committee Members:

• Jacki Brownstein

• Tom Rocco

• Tom Denton

• Susan Denton

• Jane Schanberg

• Kitty Brown

Committee Meetings Notes