More affordable housing is coming to Ulster County, and it will start with a building no longer in use. The former Ulster County Jail is being demolished and rebuilt into an affordable housing complex.

“We know the cost of everything, food, gas, certainly housing and health care are up. We want to do everything we can to relieve that pressure on folks,” Ulster County Executive and Congressman-elect Pat Ryan said.

The complex will have 160 units of housing for seniors and working families struggling economically. The plan also includes a community building with fitness and gathering spaces, as well as other amenities.

“There are many, many people here who will be eligible for this housing opportunity, whether they’re an elderly person or a family,” said Timothy Henkel, president of Pennrose.

The former jail facility has been out of commission for more than a decade.

“Not only do we need to get rid of the old, but let’s bring in the new with housing that families can really afford,” Ryan said.

American Rescue Plan Act funds totaling $1.5 million are being used to help demolish the old jail and build the housing complex.

“We’ll use government funds to make that more accessible and affordable for people, so this will help people that are working really hard and not able to afford rent right now,” Ryan said.

Ryan’s office said the housing will be subsidized for people who make 30% to 60% of the area median income. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median income is $65,306. That means if your income is between about $19,000 and $40,000 a year, you could qualify.

“Here in Ulster County, here in Kingston and throughout the state, we’re experiencing a dearth of housing opportunity and particularly a lack of housing opportunity at certain income levels, and so for us to be able to provide a diversity of housing opportunities for a diversity of income mixes is really, really important,” Henkel said.

Henkel said construction is expected to begin in 2023, and residents should be able to move in starting in 2024.