CHENANGO COUNTY — At a recent public meeting, the Chenango County 2050 Vision Plan Survey results were presented and focused on community health and wellbeing, economic opportunity, innovative infrastructure, sustainable living and rural environment, with the key focus on housing.

Chenango County Director of Planning Shane Butler said concerns are valid about the disrepair of Chenango County housing stock and the needed money for those repairs.

“While many of these homes are built very strong, without proper maintenance many will continue to show deterioration until they become unsafe and unlivable,” Butler said.

The 2050 plan shows 55% of the homes in Chenango County were built before 1970, including 34% of homes that were built before 1940 with a significant portion of the housing units being owner-occupied. Only six houses have been constructed in the county since year 2020.

Butler explained organizations like Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, Inc., The Impact Project, Promote Oxford Now, the NBT Curb Appeal Program and other programs are important to the community.

“Without them and the funding they are able to bring in from the state and federal government, or private dollars, there would be many more people without housing and/or forced out of our community, exacerbating our population decline,” he added.

“Anytime we apply for the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) we have to meet one of the national objectives. One of those objectives could be ADA compliance, assisting people with low to moderate income, it has to meet one of those,” said Butler.