Acting Commissioner Delivers Budget Testimony to Legislature

Acting Commissioner Brian Lawlor and Judd Levy, chairman of "nyhomes" testified on the Executive Budget before the Senate and Assembly's Housing and Fiscal Committees. Lawlor commended DHCR's "talented, dedicated and experienced professionals" for the agency's success.

Acting Commissioner Brian Lawlor delivered testimony on the Governor's Executive Budget before members of the State Legislature's fiscal and housing committees.

Lawlor noted that the Governor, while focused on reducing costs to address an $8.2 billion deficit in the current budget, has maintained his commitment to the development and preservation of affordable housing. The Governor's budget proposal would provide more than $100 million in new capital funding for housing.

Lawlor also discussed the Governor's new "Sustainable Neighborhoods" initiative, which would create a partnership between state and local officials to address the vacant building crisis that has devastated cities throughout Upstate New York. The program is set to begin in Buffalo, which has more than 23,000 vacant homes.

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Main Street Program Highlighted at Albany Ribbon-Cutting

Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings addresses the crowd during the celebration
marking the transformation of 23-25 North Pearl Street in downtown Albany.

DHCR's award winning New York Main Street program (NY Main Street) helped the City of Albany and a local development team rehabilitate a downtown building and transform vacant upper floors into apartments. The project received $60,000 in NY Main Street funds for interior building renovations.

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings said, "This is a great project, and it's another high quality option for people who want to live in downtown Albany. Combined with other recent successes, this project is proof that our efforts are creating results. I want to congratulate developers Steve and Konstantin Moutopoulos for their hard work. Thanks to the DHCR, CPC, ALDC and the BID for their continued support and I look forward to other successful projects through these partnerships."

Brian Lawlor, Acting Commissioner of DHCR, said, "The City of Albany and its public and private partners have used the New York Main Street program for several downtown revitalization projects. Main Street dollars are at work in the Capital Region and across the state improving facades and interiors, and making vacant abandoned properties like 23-25 North Pearl Street vibrant and attractive places to live and do business. DHCR and the Office of Community Renewal congratulate Mayor Jennings, the Albany Local Development Corporation, the Community Preservation Corporation and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) for this beautiful addition to the city and we look forward to working together in the future to increase residential and economic opportunities for Albany residents."

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DHCR Announces Funding Availability for NYS CDBG and NY Main Street Programs

The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) has announced the availability of approximately $45 million in funding for the NYS Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) and New York Main Street (NYMS) programs.

Brian Lawlor, Acting Commissioner of DHCR, said "We have had tremendous success in every region of New York State creating jobs, providing affordable housing and revitalizing downtown business districts with our NYS CDBG and NY Main Street programs. The funds we are making available will help local governments and not-for-profits provide essential services and economic opportunities to the residents of New York State."

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