The TU reported a leaders meeting this week and special legislative session called Nov 10. Patterson to also address session on Nov 9.  Are the proposed cuts ok with you? Send in your testimony and let your representatives know-

The NYS Assembly have scheduled hearings on the Governor’s Deficit Reduction Plan.  Oct09DRP_LocalAssistanceReductions Those are cuts to current year contracts. How will these cuts hamper your ability to provide affordable housing services? testimony nov 2009 should address the following:

1. How has the economic downturn facing the nation and State impacted the economy of New York?
2. What are the impacts resulting from the State Fiscal Year 2009-10 budget deficit?
3. How would the Governor’s DRP proposal to reduce the current year deficit impact programs and services supported by the State?
4. How would the Governor’s proposed DRP impact your organization?

Given the nature and extent of the current year budget deficit facing the State, are there any policy alternatives that were not incorporated in the Executive DRP proposal that should be considered?

Check Hearing notice20091015 for more information. Twenty copies maybe sent this week if you cannot attend.

The Senate finance committee has also scheduled hearings down state on October 27th.

NEW YORK STATE RURAL ADVOCATES NOTICE of ANNUAL MEETING

Wednesday, Oct 28, 2009 Otesaga Hotel

registration – $35 made payable to the NYS Rural Advocates or pay at the door

Legislative Roundtable Begins promptly at 10 AM

Affordable housing during the next legislative sessions- the issues/ the ask

Special guest: Vito Lopez, Chair, NYS Assembly Housing Committee

UPDATE: Special Legislative Session may force Vito to cancel

12:30- 2:00    Buffet Lunch- Otesaga Main Dining Room

2: 00-  5:00   Meeting Resumes

5:30-   7:00   Reception

7:00 PM         Dinner- Main Dining Room

Thursday, October 29, 2009

9:00- 11   Meeting Resumes- Legislative Strategy, continued

Financial Report, Membership Report, Election of Board and Officers, Adoption of Advocates Budget, Approval of Contracts, Schedule of Meetings for the Year

Governor Patterson will release his proposal this afternoon to balance the budget.  Patterson is saying it’s going to hurt.   Meanwhile, now that we are at the 1/2 year mark for our States’ fiscal year,  a deficit of over four billion dollars is currently projected for the State by the Comptroller although the legislature thinks it’s really only half of that.   In addition, today there will be a verdict in the case against State Senator Monserrate, which may  impact the NYS Senate Democratic majority.  Remember that cuts proposed to programs passed by the legislature need their approval.  Let’s see what happens tomorrow!  (and I heard the Southern Tier and Western NY gets seven inches by the weekend, ready or not)

In this HF Briefing paper on 500mm the case is made for $500 million in additional State capital funding for affordable and supportive housing in the next State budget. Housing First argues that it can be a cost-effective, fiscally-responsible strategy for economic growth that will create thousands of jobs, leverage billions of dollars in new private investment, and help thousands of New Yorkers find apartments and homes they can afford.

New York State Rural Advocates will hold their annual meeting October 28-29, 2009 at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown.

More units of affordable, decent, safe housing for New York. Good news!

Warren County

AHC approved a $195,000 grant to the Town of Queensbury to renovate 13
single-family homes.

St. Lawrence County

AHC approved:

–A $300,000 grant to the Association for Neighborhood Rehabilitation,
Inc. (ANR) to renovate 25 single-family homes.

–A $300,000 grant to the St. Lawrence County Housing Council, Inc.
(SLCHC) to rehabilitate 50 single-family homes.

Onondaga County

AHC approved a $300,000 grant to Home HeadQuarters (HHQ) to help
finance home improvements for 30 homes in the City of Syracuse.

Southern Tier

–A $300,000 grant to Arbor Development, formerly known as Steuben
Churchpeople Against Poverty, INC. (SCAP), to renovate 36 single-family
homes in Steuben County.

–A $300,000 grant to the Andover Historic Preservation Corporation for
the rehabilitation of 28 single-family homes in Allegany and Steuben
Counties.

–A $300,000 grant to the Allegany County Community Opportunities and
Rural Development Corporation (ACCORD) to renovate 50 single-family
homes in Allegany County.

Erie County

–A $500,000 grant to the Town of Cheektowaga’s Community and
Economic Development Office (CEDO) to finance home improvements for 17
housing units.

–A $200,000 grant to the Lackawanna Housing Development Corporation
(LHDC) to finance home improvements for 33 units in single and
two-family homes in the City of Lackawanna.

Long Island

–A $1.75 million grant to the Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP)
for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 80 homes in Nassau and Suffolk
Counties as part of its “workforce housing” program.

–A $520,000 grant to Community Development Corporation of Long Island
(CDCLI) for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 16 single-family homes
in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Wow! The Upgraded Senate Website is just great!  Take a few moments and explore!  Add the rss feed to keep up!

The Senate is now planning public hearings in rural NY on the topic of affordable housing.  What do you want them to know? What specific issues do you want to address?

There WILL be a New York State Rural Rental Assistance Program to be used in application for the leveraged loan program with RD. While the Legislature was unable to overcome Administration resistance to restoring cuts to the Rural Rental Assistance Program (RRAP )which has been the key to New York’s success in leveraging federal Section 515 funds, Senate negotiators did succeed in including language that will allow new units of RRAP for the current year. Subsequently, funds to support the new units were provided through a $188,000 legislative add from Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida). As many as fifty new units can be supported by this funding in Rural New York.