Most of us know first-hand that housing is expensive in Dutchess County. Some have had difficulty paying rent or buying a home. Others are disappointed that their kids can’t afford to live nearby or have older relatives who would love to downsize but can’t afford to do so. And then there are the macro issues: many of us want to live in diverse places but our communities are becoming more and more homogeneous, and meanwhile employers struggle to hire workers earning a modest wage.
While national and state support is crucial, there are steps we can take locally. Below are some Dutchess County communities addressing housing affordability.
If we’ve missed something happening in your city, town, or village, let us know. Learn more about housing issues, here. Coming soon — the county and housing.
The cities of Beacon and Poughkeepsie and the Town of Red Hook have been certified as pro-housing communities by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
The towns of Amenia, Pine Plains, and Poughkeepsie have submitted applications. Only certified communities are eligible to apply for millions of dollars in state grants to expand housing options. To be certified, municipalities must adopt pro-housing principles and take steps, such as streamlining permitting. Read more about this program.
The cities of Beacon and Poughkeepsie unanimously adopted Good Cause Eviction laws. While the specifics differ, Good Cause Eviction generally protects tenants from unreasonable rent increases and allows eviction only when tenants fail to pay rent or violate the terms of their leases.
Poughkeepsie also adopted rent stabilization that would apply to about 17 percent of apartments; it has been challenged in court.
The Town of Poughkeepsie appointed a Citizens Committee on Housing Affordability that meets monthly and is conducted a housing survey. Complete the survey here.
The Town is also working on a community solar campaign and other options that will lower residents’ energy bills, making housing costs lower while also accelerating the transition to green energy. And, the Town is applying for state and federal grants for much-needed road, water, and sewer infrastructure, all of which encourage housing construction in appropriate locations.
The Red Hook Gateway Project will create up to 40 cutting-edge energy-efficient homes designed to significantly reduce carbon footprints. It’s anticipated to include 20 affordable one- and two-bedroom rental apartments plus 20 single-family homes available for purchase by first-time homebuyers earning 80 to 100% of the area median income (AMI).
The project is a collaborative effort by the Town and Village, RUPCO, Scenic Hudson, and the Dutchess County Land Conservancy, inspired by the Hudson Valley Alliance for Housing and Conservation.
Rhinebeck. Locust Hill, a development of 80 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments proposed by affordable housing developer Kearney Realty, is well on its way to final approval.
Located in the Town but an easy walk to the Village, units are expected to be available to those earning 30-80% of the area median income (AMI). The project would not be moving forward if the Town board hadn’t been adamant about addressing the need for housing and if the Village hadn’t been willing to work with the developer to provide municipal water and sewer.
Short term rentals affect the supply of housing, so regulating STRs can also help control housing costs. Details vary, but these Dutchess County communities have rules about STRs: Town of Poughkeepsie, Town of Red Hook, Town and Village of Rhinebeck, and Village of Tivoli.
Photo courtesy of Housing Justice for All.
Rendering of housing proposed for Red Hook’s Gateway project courtesy of RUPCO.
Rendering of proposed Locust Hill apartments in Rhinebeck; courtesy of Kearney Realty Group.