County hears comments on $750K home ownership grants
NORWICH – Chenango County is one step closer to doling out $750,000 in state grant funds to help bolster home ownership across the county.
County officials have earmarked $350,000 to assist first-time homebuyers and $400,000 for the county's manufactured home replacement program, all of which will be administered by Opportunities for Chenango.
Funding is funneled through New York's Community Development Block Grant program, a $10 million statewide initiative targeted toward improving housing, economic development, public facilities, infrastructure, and planning activities.
The County Board of Supervisors called a public hearing last week to accept the two grants.
“It's obvious that our county needs this assistance and it can only improve the quality of life for first-time homebuyers and mobile home residents,” said Norwich resident Patti Giltner, one of just two people who spoke at the hearing.
But Giltner also showed concern for Chenango's future. She cited studies from the Chenango United Way and the Cornell Program on Applied Demographics which predict a 20 percent loss of population over the next 20 years. That, she said, will have a stirring impact on municipalities, school districts, and local services, and paints a “grim picture of the county.”
Giltner encouraged county leaders to be proactive to address the challenge.
“I would like to know what other steps the Board of Supervisors is taking to combat and mitigate this approaching disaster,” she said.
Norwich resident Todd Dreyer also chimed in, pointing out similar challenges the county faces in what's become a localized housing crisis of sorts.
“These programs have an important secondary effect supporting our local contractors, building supply businesses and uplifting the general economy,” said Dreyer.
Yet there's issues to face up to, he added – namely the estimated 5,000 vacant and abandoned residential units in the county which are noted in the Cornell Program on Applied Demographics report.
“Some amount of vacancy is to be expected, and I believe Chenango County has traditionally been somewhat high. Although not all vacant properties are destined to become abandoned,” said Dreyer. He said the county may benefit by taking better measures to track vacant and abandoned properties that are in the process of being foreclosed by lenders.
“Perhaps the county could be more active working with not-for-profit entities to purchase or otherwise acquire these properties for new development,” he said.
In addition to the first-time homebuyers and mobile home replacement grants, the county's seeking another $500,000 in state funds for its housing rehabilitation program. The Chenango County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution last week establishing acceptance and a disbursement account.
County officials have earmarked $350,000 to assist first-time homebuyers and $400,000 for the county's manufactured home replacement program, all of which will be administered by Opportunities for Chenango.
Funding is funneled through New York's Community Development Block Grant program, a $10 million statewide initiative targeted toward improving housing, economic development, public facilities, infrastructure, and planning activities.
The County Board of Supervisors called a public hearing last week to accept the two grants.
“It's obvious that our county needs this assistance and it can only improve the quality of life for first-time homebuyers and mobile home residents,” said Norwich resident Patti Giltner, one of just two people who spoke at the hearing.
But Giltner also showed concern for Chenango's future. She cited studies from the Chenango United Way and the Cornell Program on Applied Demographics which predict a 20 percent loss of population over the next 20 years. That, she said, will have a stirring impact on municipalities, school districts, and local services, and paints a “grim picture of the county.”
Giltner encouraged county leaders to be proactive to address the challenge.
“I would like to know what other steps the Board of Supervisors is taking to combat and mitigate this approaching disaster,” she said.
Norwich resident Todd Dreyer also chimed in, pointing out similar challenges the county faces in what's become a localized housing crisis of sorts.
“These programs have an important secondary effect supporting our local contractors, building supply businesses and uplifting the general economy,” said Dreyer.
Yet there's issues to face up to, he added – namely the estimated 5,000 vacant and abandoned residential units in the county which are noted in the Cornell Program on Applied Demographics report.
“Some amount of vacancy is to be expected, and I believe Chenango County has traditionally been somewhat high. Although not all vacant properties are destined to become abandoned,” said Dreyer. He said the county may benefit by taking better measures to track vacant and abandoned properties that are in the process of being foreclosed by lenders.
“Perhaps the county could be more active working with not-for-profit entities to purchase or otherwise acquire these properties for new development,” he said.
In addition to the first-time homebuyers and mobile home replacement grants, the county's seeking another $500,000 in state funds for its housing rehabilitation program. The Chenango County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution last week establishing acceptance and a disbursement account.
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