Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has announced more than $2.2 million to be awarded for 21 projects through Dutchess County’s 2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment partnership programs.   The funded projects will improve accessibility, address critical community needs, and expand affordable housing options throughout Dutchess County.

County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “Dutchess County continues to invest in projects and programs that help to lift up our most vulnerable residents.  Whether it is improving infrastructure to promote accessibility for residents and visitors of all abilities; expanding affordable housing options; or supporting programs that address critical community issues like homelessness and substance abuse to the county’s most vulnerable populations, our  investment of CDBG and HOME funding will have positive impacts for generations to come.”

CDBG and HOME program funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address locally identified community development and housing needs.  CDBG funding supports community development projects and activities that benefit low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, populations and communities; while the HOME Program supports the development of affordable housing.

CDBG Infrastructure Projects ($1,213,700 Total)

City of Beacon – Verplanck Avenue Crosswalk Upgrade – $51,870

Improve pedestrian safety and accessibility with new crosswalks on Verplanck Avenue.

City of Beacon – Fishkill Avenue/Hanna Lane Sewer Main Replacement – $108,130

Sewer line replacement to meet pitch requirements, add sewer flow capacity and eliminate the risk of overflow, and to promote economic and housing development.

Town of Clinton – Friends Park Improvement Project – $98,700

Installation of handicapped accessible parking spaces, pathways and bathroom upgrades to eliminate barriers and improve accessibility for senior citizens.

Sidewalk along Route 44 in the Village of Millerton

Town of Dover – J. H. Ketcham Memorial Park Walking Track – $99,000

New quarter-mile porous asphalt accessible walking path to enhance recreation options and promote favorable health outcomes for residents.

Town of East Fishkill – Senior Center Sidewalk Renovation – $61,000

Construction of approximately 1,130 square feet of ADA sidewalk, removing barriers and promoting accessibility for seniors.

Town of Hyde Park – Dinsmore Park Playground Improvement Project– $100,000

Construction of an ADA compliant playground including ADA compliant swing, slides and climbing equipment.

Town of Pawling – Pawling Library Bathroom Installation – $200,000

Construct two new ADA compliant bathroom facilities, including new plumbing and electric, to promote accessibility for disabled residents.

Town of Poughkeepsie – Inclusive Playground at Sheafe Road Park – $95,000

Removal of deteriorated, non-ADA compliant play equipment and installation of a new inclusive play structure.

 Town of Wappinger – Carnwath Farms Senior Center– $150,000
Construction of a new ADA compliant senior center, including electrical, HVAC replacement, accessible parking, walkways and entrances for senior citizens.

Village of Millerton –Sidewalk Infrastructure Repair & Replacement – $150,000

Replacement of 600 linear feet of deteriorated sidewalks along NYS Route 44 (Main Street) with a new accessible sidewalk and crosswalk in front of Millerton Library to promote accessibility.

Village of Wappingers Falls – Bain Park Development – $100,000

Site preparation, assembly and installation of new  ADA compliant playground recently purchased by the Village.

East Fishkill Supervisor Nicholas D’Alessandro said, “Making our community more accessible to all residents of all abilities is a priority in East Fishkill. We thank Dutchess County for this collaboration through the Community Development Block Grant program, a partnership which will provide greater access to all residents, including the many seniors who utilize our community center.”

Hyde Park Supervisor Aileen Rohr said, “Hyde Park is once again thankful to our County partners for their CDBG award for playground improvements at Dinsmore Park that will enhance quality of life for all residents. Working together while ‘Thinking Differently,’ we work collaboratively to create improvements to our parks, playgrounds and sidewalks without local tax impact.”

CDBG Public Service Projects – Totaling $150,000

Catholic Charities – Homeless Prevention Case Management Program – $25,000
Emergency rent assistance and limited utilities assistance to approximately 50 low-income Dutchess County residents to help stabilize housing. Case management assists clients to independently sustain their household needs.

 Friends of Seniors – Senior Transportation and Support Services – $25,000
Provide county residents age 60+ with basic support services, including transportation to non-emergency medical appointments, grocery shopping, visiting services, telephone reassurance and respite to primary caregivers.

 Hudson River Housing – Housing First Support Services – $25,000
Case management services under the Housing First Program, which helps high-risk, vulnerable homeless adults secure and maintain stable housing.

 Hudson River Housing – River Haven Homeless Youth Program – $25,000
Crisis services, emergency housing, counseling, case management, and youth development programming for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth ages 10-17. River Haven Independent Living Program provides services for older homeless and at-risk youth transitioning towards self-sufficiency. River Haven Transitional Living Community provides 17- to 25-year-old homeless youth safe housing as they work towards independence within two years.

 Mid-Hudson Addiction Recovery Center (MARC) – Substance Abuse Residential Recovery Services – $25,000
A comprehensive continuum of services offering the promise of recovery to chemically dependent individuals. MARC offers emergency housing, non-hospital-based detox and treatment referral, community residences, supportive housing, counseling, life skill training, vocational development, sober supported apartments, tenant counseling and rent subsidies.

 Northeast Community Council – Youth Development: Teen Team and CPSB – $25,000
Teen Team is a peer support group that provides educational, recreational and community service opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth ages 14-18.  The Community Partnership with Schools and Business (CPSB) offers workforce development and intern opportunities in local business for youth 14-21.

HOME affordable housing projects –  Totaling $863,794   

 The Woods at Rhinebeck, Astor Drive, Rhinebeck – $350,000

New construction of 80 one, two and three- bedroom affordable workforce apartments within walking distance of Northern Dutchess Hospital and the village.

 Annex at Snow Terrace, 28 Snow Terrace, Poughkeepsie – $227,806

Rehabilitation of former Webster House emergency shelter into 6 permanent one-bedroom units for the homeless/formerly homeless. 

 Rebuilding Together – $52,000

Rehabilitation of 10 single-family homes throughout Dutchess County occupied by low- and moderate-income households, often senior citizens, by volunteers.

 An additional $233,988 will be set aside for new, competitive application cycle later this year for the creation of qualified, new affordable rental units.

CDBG Municipal and HOME applications are accepted annually by the Department of Planning and Development.  CDBG Public Service applications are solicited bi-annually. Applications are reviewed by the Community Development Advisory Committee with recommendations forwarded to the County Executive for final approval.

More information about these application cycles can be found on the Planning and Development website.

The awards are preliminary pending a public comment period of the draft 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and the 2020 and 2021 Action Plan. The comment period for these documents will run until Thursday, August 5, 2021.  An in-person public hearing on the plans will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Poughkeepsie City Hall, Common Council Chambers, 3rd floor, 62 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie.  A second virtual public hearing will be held on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. via this link. 

Comments may also be submitted in writing to Anne Saylor at asaylor@dutchessny.gov, mailed to 85 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 107, Poughkeepsie, NY  12601 or by calling (845) 486-3638.

Following the public comment period, a resolution will be sent to the County Legislature’s for consideration at its September 2021 meeting to formally accept the federal CDBG and HOME funding.