Acting Ulster County Executive Johanna Contreras announced a new program aimed at tackling the county’s housing crisis. But one housing advocacy group called on the county to do more.

"We had last night a family with mother and children who were sleeping in a parking lot," said Rashida Tyler, co-founder of Ulster County Coalition For Housing Justice, an advocacy and representation group pushing for affordable housing for renters across the county. "We have elderly people, 86 years old, who are being evicted. We're in crisis mode. So much of the housing crisis is reflected on Broadway and in Midtown Kingston."

But Ulster County just created the Housing Smart Communities Initiative. It will help municipalities across the county work to increase affordable housing.

"At its core, it’s really a certification program, so the idea is a local community will join. In order to join, they have to pass a resolution committing to work with Ulster County and saying they're committed to addressing the housing crisis," said Contreras.

Communities will have to implement housing-smart actions such as short-term rental regulations or requiring large developments to include set asides for renters of varying incomes.

Based on the actions they take, municipalities will then get a rating like bronze, silver, gold and platinum, and will be rewarded with incentives like access to county planners, technical and financial assistance.

"That was one of the gaps that was identified through the housing action planning process, was that many municipalities may want to do these things, but they don’t have the staff capacity, they don’t have the funding to do it. So this is our way to incentivize and support," said Contreras.

"I think that encouraging communities to have that kind of coordination and working together and empowering those communities is a really good thing," Tyler said. "I just think that the future looks really bright, and I'm really excited about those solutions. I just really would also encourage people to look toward what we can do right now."

She wants to see abandoned buildings in Kingston be renovated into quality apartments for people in need. Contreras said there are other solutions being put into place, like the boarding house on Elizabeth Street in Kingston, which is being renovated into a family shelter.

"This is just one program that we're launching that, again, is meant to support our local communities, but there's a broad array of strategies we're looking at," said Contreras.

The county will hold two webinars to increase public awareness about the Housing Smart Communities Initiative on Oct. 3 and Oct. 19. To find out more information on how you can attend, go to hsci.ulstercountyny.gov/.