RUPCO Receives $5 Million Award to Rehabilitate Vacant Rental Units Across Nine Counties 

KINGSTON, NY (Date) — RUPCO was awarded $5 million through New York State’s Vacant Rental Program (VRP). This funding will support the rehabilitation of 80 vacant and uninhabitable rental units across Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Westchester, and Sullivan counties, transforming them into safe, high-quality, and affordable homes for low- and moderate-income tenants. 

The VRP, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul as part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, is a groundbreaking initiative aimed to assist small scale landlords with revitalizing vacant properties to address the state’s housing crisis. The program targets the rehabilitation of up to 600 vacant apartments statewide, focusing on communities outside New York City. 

“At RUPCO, we are committed to expanding access to affordable housing and strengthening communities,” said Faith Moore, Senior VP of Housing Programs and Solutions of RUPCO. “This $5 million award will enable us to bring much-needed housing units back online, ensuring they meet the highest standards of safety and quality while remaining affordable for decades to come.” 

The Vacant Rental Program provides grants of up to $50,000 per unit for repairs in properties serving tenants with household incomes up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and up to $75,000 per unit for tenants with incomes up to 60% AMI. Eligible improvements include: Health and safety upgrades, Correction of code violations, Accessibility modifications. Environmental remediation & General repairs to restore properties to habitable conditions 

The housing agency expects to open the application window in early 2025. Learn more about the Vacant Rental Program

### 

About RUPCO 
RUPCO creates homes, supports people, and improves communities across a broad spectrum of community development solutions, including housing, historic preservation, and neighborhood revitalization in the Hudson Valley. RUPCO creates and maintains quality, sustainable housing and rental opportunities, inspires understanding and acceptance of affordable housing initiatives, and champions pathways to opportunity. For more information, visit www.rupco.org 

About RUPCO’s HomeOwnership Center
RUPCO’s NeighborWorks® Homeownership Center has HUD-certified housing counselors to guide and support homebuyers and homeowners in making informed decisions based on their homeownership needs. The Center has assisted thousands of Hudson Valley families with navigating the first-time homebuyer process since its opening in 2004. In addition, the Center also offers foreclosure prevention counseling and administers home repair programs for existing homeowners when eligible and available. For more information visit: www.rupco.org/homeownership-center/ 

About NYSHCR
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR) preserves housing affordability and works with private, public, and nonprofit partners to create inclusive, safe, “green,” and resilient places to live in New York State. HCR is charged with carrying out the Governor’s $1 billion HOUSE NY plan, leveraging New York’s federal and state community development resources, and creating affordable housing opportunities statewide. HCR programs provide financing to create and preserve multifamily housing; improve housing conditions, ensure accessibility, and save energy; provide bonding authority and other resources to facilitate local public improvements and job creation; and help thousands of low- and moderate-income New Yorkers purchase a home. NYS HCR also funds services for low-to-middle-income households, and vulnerable populations including veterans, seniors, homeless families, individuals with HIV/AIDS, and at-risk youth.