New York State DHCR Issues Housing Needs Study

ALBANY, NY (02/18/2009)(readMedia)-- The State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) has released a report describing the affordable housing needs of the Mohawk Valley Region, which includes Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida and Schoharie Counties. The study was largely derived from three focus group meetings held in the Region which were attended by local officials, housing advocates, housing developers and social service providers who are involved in affordable housing and community development.

The Mohawk Valley Regional Affordable Housing Needs Study is one of nine regional reports prepared by DHCR, which is now compiling its Statewide Affordable Housing Needs Study - the first ever prepared by the agency.

Governor David A. Paterson has said the DHCR initiative "represents a new level of outreach to and coordination with local officials who best understand the needs of their communities. These reports will provide us with a powerful tool to help determine how New York State's affordable housing and community development programs can best be targeted to meet the needs of our residents."

DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said a regional approach was taken because "although the entire State is facing a shortage of affordable housing, the causes, effects and solutions are very different from region to region. These studies will help us to truly understand the housing needs of communities across the State."

VanAmerongen said DHCR is "reaching out and gathering first-hand information from local leaders and housing professionals about their priorities and their needs as they see them. That kind of outreach has never been attempted before."

Bonnie Fletcher, a representative of the Ilion Housing Authority, said, "I appreciate the efforts of DCHR to step in and see first-hand the needs of the communities it serves. To be able to provide information on aspects of our community that can lead to a better understanding of housing and transportation needs is truly groundbreaking."

Gene A. Allen, Housing Director, Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc., participated in two focus groups for the DHCR report and hosted the Herkimer County meeting. He said, "It was enlightening to compare and contrast the similarities and unique challenges of both Oneida and Herkimer Counties. I commend DHCR for being proactive by taking the time to visit each community and meet directly with local economic development and planning officials, as well as housing leaders, to discuss the conditions in our localities.

"I am pleased that our State officials realize a cookie-cutter approach to affordable housing is not the answer to our needs. I look forward to seeing how this will eventually affect the way programs and services are funded and administered."

CONDITIONS, NEEDS AND ASSETS OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY

The Mohawk Valley Regional Housing Needs Study identifies a number of conditions which have affected the affordable housing market in the region, including:

1. Lack of new housing construction.
2. Lack of quality affordable rentals.
3. Lack of employment opportunities and decline of the Region's manufacturing base.
4. A population with a high proportion of elderly residents.
5. Growing number of out-of-town, absentee landlords.
6. Region's predominantly rural character.

Those who participated in the focus group meetings were asked to identify the region's primary affordable housing and community development needs. Participants cited: rehabilitation and modernization funds for home owner and rental housing stock, competent property management firms to oversee the Region's rental housing stock and safe, decent and affordable rental units that would be available to the region's Section 8 voucher holders.

DHCR will use the information gathered during the focus group meetings and contained in the Report to target resources to the Region and improve the efficiency of DHCR programs which serve the Mohawk Valley Region.

The Mohawk Valley Region also enjoys a number of strengths and assets. These include:

• Affordable homeownership and a manageable cost of living.
• Safe, cohesive communities with good school systems.
• Location near the center of the State with good access to Northeastern markets.
• Historic architecture.
• Rural and scenic nature of the Region.

In addition to local officials from county and city departments (planning, community development, economic development and housing) in the Region DHCR also met with representatives from Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Companies and other not-for-profit organizations, social service organizations which have affordable housing as a stated mission of their organization and affordable housing developers from the private sector with regional experience.

DHCR staff also gathered information about the Region through site visits and tours with local officials. The Mohawk Valley Regional Report also includes U.S. Census and American Community Survey data intended to identify demographic and housing related trends.

All the regional studies are available on the DHCR website -- www.nysdhcr.gov -- under "key documents."

-30-