New York neighborhoods with an abundance of vacant and abandoned properties may have help on the way.
State Attorney General Letitia James held a press conference in Utica Wednesday afternoon to announce $9 million in grants for 48 municipalities across New York.
The grants are designed to help communities address their vacant properties, called zombie homes, and create affordable housing.
Wednesday’s press conference was held outside a home that has been vacant for years. Thanks to this funding, titled “Zombies 2.0”, the home is now under construction and will see a new resident at some point in the future.
The 48 municipalities awarded grants will receive anywhere between $50,000 and $500,000 based on its size. To qualify for assistance, a community must have at least 5,000 residents and 100 known zombie properties.
In Central New York, several communities are receiving state assistance to address their vacancy issues.
According to the Attorney General’s press release, the following will receive funding:
Cities:
- Albany
- Amsterdam
- Auburn
- Binghamton
- Buffalo
- Elmira
- Fulton
- Geneva
- Gloversville
- Jamestown
- Kingston
- Lockport
- Mount Vernon
- New York City
- Newburgh, Niagara Falls
- North Tonawanda
- Ogdensburg
- Olean
- Oneonta
- Poughkeepsie
- Rochester
- Rome
- Salamanca
- Schenectady
- Syracuse
- Tonawanda City
- Troy
- Utica
Towns/Villages:
- Amherst
- Williamsville
- Brookhaven
- Cheektowaga
- Town of Hempstead
- Village of Hempstead
- Island Park
- Freeport
- Herkimer
- Ilion
- Irondequoit
- Islip
- Monticello
- Liberty
- Smithtown
- Ticonderoga
- Watervliet
- West Seneca
AG James also says there will be a Zombies 3.0 initiative in the future, but there is no set date for when more funding can be expected.