Village of Philmont Awarded $50,000 for a Housing Needs Assessment and Policy Framework | November, 2023

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Good news! The Village of Philmont applied for and was awarded a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant to conduct a housing needs assessment and policy framework. Philmont was one of 33 communities across New York State and one of 5 in the Capital Region to be awarded funds in 2023 (read Governor Hochul’s announcement below).

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, one of the longest-running programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, supports community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities. The stated goal of the CDBG program is to provide decent housing and suitable living environments and to expand economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

The Village of Philmont applied for this grant in light of the demonstrated need in Columbia County to preserve and improve existing housing and additional affordable housing for renters and homeowners. Read on to learn more about the needs that prompted the Village to apply for this grant and the full project description.

  • The Need: Affordable housing is a most pressing concern of our time. The 2022 Columbia County Housing Brief demonstrates a need for preserving & improving existing housing & additional affordable housing for renters & homeowners. Pressures squeezing Philmont’s housing sector include short-term rentals in a municipality with 50% renters; New York City residents seeking homes, Hudson gentrification pushing people into Philmont, fires taking rental properties offline, & blighted homes. The increased regional demand for housing & inadequate inventory of affordable homes creates an acute hardship in Philmont for our lower-income households who already have a high level of housing cost-burden. High housing costs also make it difficult for workers to find housing in the Village, threatening existing and potential businesses.
  • Project Description: The Village of Philmont proposes to conduct a housing needs assessment & policy framework to dovetail with our comprehensive plan update, preliminary findings of which show that affordable housing concerns are paramount (see Robin Andrew’s letter of support, chair of Philmont’s Comprehensive Plan Committee). Systematically collecting & analyzing data will help the Village identify priorities and effective, litigation-proof policies to protect & provide high-quality, affordable & workforce housing. We’ll work with the analyst to address the most pressing needs of low-income residents & develop a concrete action plan for meeting those needs. Informed by a robust public engagement process, expected deliverables include: a comprehensive analysis of current conditions, trends, & projected housing needs; affordable housing policies that align with best practices as well as New York State’s housing agenda; & viable implementation strategies grounded in new partnerships & funding mechanisms to promote housing security in Philmont. The consultant will present the main findings & a summary of the report to the Village Board & residents.

For Immediate Release: 11/21/2023

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES $23 MILLION TO BOOST COMMUNITY PLANNING, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND PUBLIC FACILITIES

33 Community Development Block Grants Will Strengthen Municipalities Across the State

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced nearly $23 million in New York State Community Development Block Grants have been awarded to 33 village, town, and county-wide applicants across the State. The funds will be used for projects that range from comprehensive planning studies and community facilities to sewer and water main replacements.

“The funds awarded by these State grants will go a long way to ensuring more of our villages, towns, and cities meet their immediate needs and achieve their future goals,” Governor Hochul said. “Building, preserving, and stabilizing our communities has never been more important and even the smallest amount of assistance is all it takes to help our local governments address overdue repairs, improve their roads, fix their water lines, or get started on planning their next important project. New Yorkers deserve to live in updated, safe neighborhoods and we are committed to making that reality.”

The financing is awarded competitively through New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Office of Community Renewal. There are 1,300 cities, towns, and villages with populations under 50,000 that are eligible for the NYS CDBG program. Counties with populations of less than 200,000 may also apply for NYS CDBG funding. For more information on the NYS CDBG program, visit HCR’s website.

Awards include 12 community planning projects, two public facilities, and 19 public infrastructure projects:    

Capital Region

  • The village of Corinth in Saratoga County will use $50,000 to complete a preliminary engineering report to address failing water and sewer infrastructure.
  • The village of Fort Edward in Washington County will use $1 million to replace cast iron water mains in the Cooper-Prospect- Grove Neighborhood north of the village’s downtown area.
  • The city of Mechanicville in Saratoga County will use $1 million to locate and create easements for the raw water transmission main, in addition to rehabilitating the raw water pump station that conveys surface water to the water treatment plant.
  • The village of Philmont in Columbia County will use $50,000 to complete a Housing Needs Assessment and Policy Framework.
  • The city of Watervliet in Albany County will use $50,000 to complete a water supply transmission main planning and engineering needs assessment on a transmission line that runs from the Watervliet Reservoir in Guilderland to the city of Watervliet.

Central New York Region

  • The town of Brutus in Cayuga County will use $50,000 for the Brutus Sewer Infrastructure Planning Project to conduct an inflow and infiltration study of the wastewater collection systems of three mobile home parks.

Finger Lakes Region

  • The village of Attica in Wyoming County will use $334,084 to install an interior elevator at the Attica Municipal Building to achieve compliance with ADA accessibility standards.
  • The village of Clyde in Wayne County will use $1 million to replace the Glasgow Street Water Main.
  • The town of Darien in Genesee County will use $1.25 million to install a sanitary sewer force main to connect to the Village of Corfu’s Wastewater Treatment Facility.
  • The village of Penn Yan in Yates County will use $1.25 million to install a new headworks facility and second force main.
  • The village of Rushville which spans Ontario and Yates counties will use $1.25 million to upgrade the water treatment plant to address prevalent harmful algal blooms.
  • The village of Sodus Point in Wayne County will use $50,000 to complete a preliminary engineering report and infrastructure asset management plan for drinking water.
  • The village of Waterloo in Seneca County will use $49,000 to complete a comprehensive housing conditions assessment of the village’s entire housing stock.

Mid-Hudson Region

  • The town of Callicoon in Sullivan County will use $999,850 to replace the aging 1930 water storage tank serving the Youngsville Water District.
  • The village of Liberty in Sullivan County will use $999,919 for its High-Risk Culvert Collapse & Sanitary Sewer Failure Mitigation Project.
  • The village of New Paltz in Ulster County will use $857,550 in NYS CDBG funds to replace deficient sewer mains and manholes.
  • The village of New Square in Rockland County will use $1.25 million in NYS CDBG funds for the reconstruction of storm drainage system improvements to eliminate flood induced hazards.
  • The village of Wurtsboro in Sullivan County will use $1.25 million to replace the water main along Sullivan Street and the existing 300,000-gallon water storage tank.

Mohawk Valley Region

  • The city of Amsterdam in Montgomery County will use $1 million to develop a community center at 149 East Main Street.
  • Herkimer County will use $50,000 to complete a county-wide planning study that will assess and describe housing conditions and opportunities.
  • The village of Waterville in Oneida County will use $38,500 to undertake a housing conditions study of the village’s housing stock and a housing needs review of local housing issues.

North Country Region

  • The town of Harrietstown in Franklin County requested $50,000 to support a physical needs assessment, detailed plumbing assessment, and plans for plumbing upgrades for the Harrietstown Housing Authority.
  • The city of Plattsburgh in Clinton County will use $1 million to install a new raw water transmission main that will connect a new wellfield to the existing main.
  • The village of Port Leyden in Lewis County will use $887,000 to expand the village’s wastewater treatment facility and collection system.
  • The town of Watertown in Jefferson County will use $1.25 million to work on the water public infrastructure.

Southern Tier Region 

  • The village of Canisteo in Steuben County will use $1.25 million to improve its sewer district to better serve the needs of its residents.
  • The village of Deposit in Delaware County will use $50,000 to complete a preliminary engineering report for an evaluation of the municipally owned water system.
  • The village of Hancock in Delaware County will use $995, for Phase 2 of its Critical Sewer Improvements.
  • The town of Thurston in Steuben County will use $25,000 to complete a housing needs assessment.

Western New York Region

  • The village of Almond in Allegany County will use $978,000 to replace the Mill Street/Maple Road water main.
  • The village of Barker in Niagara County will use $50,000 to complete a comprehensive stormwater management preliminary engineering report.
  • The town of Randolph in Cattaraugus County will use the $1.25 million for improvements to the town’s wastewater treatment facility.
  • The village of Sherman in Chautauqua County will use $1.25 million funds to replace deteriorated/undersized storm sewer conveyance systems serving its Main Street corridor and downtown business district.

HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Solid infrastructure, modern facilities, and clear plans for the future are essential to the health and safety of our communities. This $23 million investment will improve the nuts and bolts that underpin society in these 33 communities and make good on Governor Hochul’s commitment to supporting local governments across the state. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for this funding and congratulate the recipients of these awards.”

Representative Paul Tonko said, “Water and sewer lines are an essential part of the hidden infrastructure that keeps our communities running. The projects announced today will help make certain that the communities of Corinth, Watervliet, and Mechanicville can provide their communities with the basic services their residents need to thrive, and I’m thrilled to see progress being made on these vital initiatives. Going forward, I will continue to be a fierce advocate in Congress for the resources we need to invest in critical infrastructure across our Capital Region communities.”

About the Consolidated Funding Application

The Consolidated Funding Application was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive.

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