Ulster County Housing Action Fund Opens Second Funding Round

KINGSTON, NY – The Ulster County Housing Action Fund (HAF) will open its second funding round on March 7, 2025, offering Ulster County developers and organizations a chance at funding for affordable and supportive housing projects. Applications are due by May 16, 2025.

Announced by Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, the HAF aims to address the region’s pressing housing crisis by supporting the construction, development, revitalization, and preservation of affordable and sustainable housing. This round, the County has allocated up to $1 million specifically for emergency and supportive housing projects.

“Everyone in Ulster County should have a home they can afford,” stated County Executive Metzger. “We funded five great projects last year that are creating nearly 120 high-quality, energy-efficient, affordable homes, and I hope to see another great mix of housing proposals submitted in the coming months.”

A variety of housing project types are eligible for funding, including rental housing, affordable homeownership opportunities, housing cooperatives, community land trusts, and infrastructure supporting affordable housing development. Projects funded through the HAF must maintain affordable housing units for at least 50 years, with priority given to projects that ensure permanent affordability.

The maximum grant amount and targeted affordability level vary based on the housing category. Generally, the fund prioritizes projects serving households earning up to 80% of Ulster County Area Median Income.

Kai Lord-Farmer, Senior Planner and HAF Administrator in the Ulster County Planning Department, expressed excitement about opening Round 2 of the Housing Action Fund and continuing their great work. “My mission is to ensure that the HAF remains a sustainable and reliable local funding source that developers big and small can use to build affordable housing of all types for today, tomorrow, and far into the future.”

To assist potential applicants, the Ulster County Planning Department will host a virtual webinar on March 18, 2025, at 6 PM. The webinar will provide details about the HAF, the application process, and answer questions. Registration is available at https://ulstercountyny.zoom.us/meeting/register/via0J376QZ-3LXVbVm-lzg(link is external).

Established in 2023, the HAF is a $15 million fund dedicated to fostering the creation of healthy, energy-efficient, and climate-responsible housing units. The fund is overseen by the Housing Policy and Oversight Committee (HPOC), which reviews applications and makes recommendations to the County Executive.

For complete details on the Ulster County Housing Action Fund, including application materials and project eligibility criteria, visit https://participate.ulstercountyny.gov/housing-action-fund.