ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Mayor Lovely Warren is focusing on Rochester's housing in the second part of her 2021 State of the City address.

The mayor outlined the creation of the Housing First Trust Fund in a pre-produced video.

The fund, she says, would be a dedicated revenue source to improve access to stable, affordable, and quality housing for all.

It would also work to strengthen two ongoing initiatives: the Urban League of Rochester’s Lease to Purchase program, which the city says is building 41 homes across southwest Rochester, and the CHOICE Program, which would expand to create new owner-occupied homes in city neighborhoods.

Mayor Warren says the fund's purpose is to directly address historic racism and inequity in the Rochester housing market.

"When you see the disparities you figure out, why? Why does this disparity exist? What do we need to do as a city and as a community to change that disparity? And you start to work towards equalizing things," Warren said.

The proposed fund is part of the mayor's ongoing Equity & Recovery Agenda.

You can find a link to part two of the Rochester State of the City address here.