A lack of affordable housing has made finding a home challenging for many New Yorkers on a budget. A new development in the Hudson Valley is showing the power of collaboration and turning something old into something new with the help of state dollars.

Dana Charres says finding a place to live in Newburgh that didn’t break the bank was nearly impossible.

“I don't even know if there is anything affordable anymore," the city resident said. "It's so, so hard. Like, honestly, I don't know how I would do it if I had to do it now on my own.”

She’s lived in Newburgh her entire life. She owns Hudson Valley Cheesecake. So it came as a relief when she was finally able to find a home for her family and business.

“It took a big pressure off my back,” she said.


What You Need To Know

  • Newburgh completed a $37 million development funded by the state and local housing provider RUPCO

  • The project restored historic buildings and built new ones, for a total of 61 affordable apartments.

  • This development also features 17,000 square feet of commercial and community space.

It’s thanks to a nearly $37 million development funded with state dollars from New York State Homes and Community Renewal department, or HCR, and local affordable housing provider RUPCO.

The project constructed 12 new buildings and restored 24 others for what a total of 61 affordable apartments for 162 residents.

RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner of the state HCR, said the project is part of a five-year plan worth $25 billion to create 100,000 units of affordable housing.

“This is really hitting the mark on both fronts for us," Visnauskas said. "It's both creating new housing and preserving existing housing, and we'll continue to march along on that $25 billion plan in communities all across the state.”

Visnauskas said leveraging historic buildings through community landbanks and adding them back to the housing stock can be a way to address the ongoing housing crisis.

“This is an example of a partnership with a land bank, and there are 20 or 30 land banks across the state that are looking to bring back vacant property in communities just like Newburgh and give them new life. We run a program that helps land banks do that work both on the front end, but also to make sure they have resources to keep property safe and habitable. And also provide them financing,” Visnauskas said.

Meanwhile, Charres says she’s now breathing easier, and hopes to build generational wealth through her business in her family’s new home.

“It just like fresh air," she said. "It's like a lifeline. It gives me a little encouragement to just keep going and, you know, everything's going to be alright. So, yeah, I'm excited.”

The development also features 17,000 square feet of commercial and community space.