Main Street News

The Dutchess County-Poughkeepsie Land Bank has been awarded a $1.07 million grant through the New York State Homes and Community Renewals (HCR) Land Bank Initiative. 

The Dutchess County-Poughkeepsie Land Bank, a partnership between Dutchess County and the City of Poughkeepsie, works to “promote equitable and sustainable development through the rehabilitation of vacant, abandoned, and underutilized properties in Dutchess County and the City of Poughkeepsie in ways that are guided by ongoing community input, that foster housing that is affordable, that nurture communities of choice and access, and that support economic, environmental, and social resilience.” 

The funding from the grant will support housing initiatives, community revitalization, and partnerships with local businesses.

Championing affordable housing in Poughkeepsie 

Dutchess County-Poughkeepsie Land Bank will use this funding to acquire and stabilize distressed, tax-abandoned properties, demolish derelict structures to eliminate decay, and support the rehabilitation of affordable housing units in partnership with Hudson River Housing. 

Hudson River Housing is dedicated to building strong, sustainable communities by developing and preserving quality affordable housing and helping families and individuals obtain and maintain housing via education, advocacy, and support services. 

“Fairness, equity, and transparency are at the heart of our mission,” says Amy Gigliuto, the executive director of the Dutchess County-Poughkeepsie Land Bank. “We’re not just renovating buildings, we’re taking potential and creating opportunity. This is about opening doors to homeownership for people who give so much to our community – and ensuring every neighborhood has a chance to thrive.”

Dutchess County-Poughkeepsie Land Bank will also be working directly with community-based contractors and businesses, which will further benefit the local economy. 

A report released by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley found that access to affordable housing is one of the top concerns of residents in Dutchess County. The report found that, “to afford rent in the county, single renters would need to work 60 hours a week, as rent has continued to increase at a greater rate than wages over the past decade.” 

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas stated, “Thank you to the Dutchess County-Poughkeepsie Land Bank for their continued partnership in addressing the housing crisis that is impacting so many residents across New York. HCR’s support of Land Banks is in keeping with Governor Hochul’s $25-billion, five-year housing plan that is creating and preserving 100,000 affordable homes, with almost 1,000 already brought to life in Dutchess County. We are excited to see the Lank Bank put this $1-million to work alongside operating funds it received previously to remove blight and help families build wealth through homeownership.” 

To learn more about the Dutchess County-Poughkeepsie Land Bank, visit their website here or follow the organization on Facebook or on Instagram @dcpoklandbank.