Dutchess County has awarded more than $1.75 million dollars to local governments, non-profits and affordable housing developments through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME investment partnership programs. In announcing the grants County Executive Marc Molinaro proclaimed "Our CDBG funding awards have made positive impacts on communities throughout Dutchess County." According to Molinaro the CDBG funding has been allocated to improve infrastructure, increase accessibility, combat homelessness and address substance abuse addiction. The HOME funding addresses transportation challenges.

Among the organizations receiving funding is Rebuilding Together Dutchess County (www.rebuildingtogetherdutchess.org). The organization is slated to receive $52,000 under the grant. According to Executive Director Christina Boryk, the money plays a significant role in their ability to rehabilitate ten to twelve single family homes throughout the county.

"We are extremely grateful to receive the funding which will allow us to help people in need of home repairs" Boryk said.

Rebuilding Together accepts applications for assistance each year. The 2018 deadline application is September 30.

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 to benefit low and moderate-income neighborhoods, populations and communities; while the HOME Program supports the development of affordable housing.

Projects receiving 2018 funding include:

CDBG Municipal Projects – total funding: $980,728

City of Beacon – Blackburn Avenue Sidewalks - $170,728
Construct a new sidewalk along the southeasterly side of Blackburn Avenue from Herbert Street to Fishkill Avenue. This sidewalk will provide a safe passage for children and residents to several schools and Memorial Park.

Town of Dover – J. H. Ketcham Memorial Park Accessibility Improvements - $100,000
Accessibility improvements to the J.H. Ketcham Park, including construction of accessible parking spaces, a 500-foot sidewalk to the community building, and renovation of the bathroom facilities.

Town of Fishkill – Town Hall Entrance Accessibility Improvements - $75,300
Accessibility improvements at the two public entrances and an employee entrance to the town hall, including outside handrails, push buttons for exterior doors, and two sets of automated interior doors.

Town of Poughkeepsie – Overocker Park Improvements - $95,000
Replace the old playground equipment with a new inclusive playground structure, installation of sidewalk connecting to the adjacent neighborhood, facilities redesign to discourage vandalism, and provide a defined driveway and parking area.

Village of Millerton and Town of North East – Village and Town Hall Accessibility Improvements - $189,700
A variety of accessibility improvements at the Village and Town Hall, including: Village – parking, new ramps and front doors to Village Hall and nutrition center, and counter and bathroom renovations; Town – resign existing hallways and doorways and install push button so patrons can call for service from second floor.

Village and Town of Pawling – West Main Street Accessible Sidewalks - $200,000
Renovation of existing patchwork of sidewalks along West Main Street between Dutcher Avenue and Lakeside Drive to improve accessibility between the village and Murrow Park.

Village of Tivoli – Pine Street Improvements- $150,000
Replace existing deteriorated sidewalk along the south side of Pine Street. Improvements will also include a new drainage pipe and trees.

CDBG Public Service Projects – total funding: $150,000

Catholic Charities - Homeless Prevention Case Management Program - $25,000
Emergency rent assistance and limited utilities assistance to approximately fifty (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
Provides 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 - 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 and service learning group that provides educational, recreational and community service opportunities for at-risk 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 Investment Partnership Projects – total funding $620,478

621 Maple Street, City of Poughkeepsie - $223,534
New construction of forty (40) apartments in two buildings, including 26 one-bedroom, 11 two-bedroom and 3 three-bedroom. Four units will be affordable to low and moderate-income households and project will include universal and active design, as well as green infrastructure.

2659-2661 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls - (Goring Hall) - $187,173
Restoration of a collapsed building which will create 4 two-bedroom apartments and 4 studio units in addition to ground floor commercial. Four units will be affordable to low and moderate-income households

Fallkill Commons on Rose, Rose Street, City of Poughkeepsie - $157,771
New construction of 78 apartments in two buildings. Fifty (50) percent of the units will be targeted to special populations, including those dealing with mental health issues, are homeless, or have very low income. All the units will be affordable to low and moderate-income households.

Rebuilding Together - $52,000
Rehabilitation of 10 single family homes throughout Dutchess County occupied low and moderate income households, often senior citizens, by volunteers.

More From WRRV-WRRB