November 3, 2023 - In this issue: | |
Landlord Ambassador Program Funded | |
First Affordable Housing Fund Grants Awarded | |
Right to Counsel Program Launched | |
ARPA Community Events Program Final Round | |
ARPA Business Promotion Grant Application Closes Soon | |
Roadwork Update for the Week of November 6 | |
Dietz Stadium Construction Update | |
City of Kingston Job Opportunities | |
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Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
Several housing initiatives got underway this week: the Right to Counsel Program launched, the first of the Affordable Housing Funds have been awarded, and we have partnered with RUPCO on a Landlord Ambassador Program. We set aside $5,000,000 from the City of Kingston’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help us launch several housing programs and it’s exciting to see these funds getting into the community.
The Landlord Ambassador Program is an important effort to continue to support the creation of new affordable housing in our community, as is the ARPA Affordable Housing Fund. These grants for the creation of much-needed affordable housing represent a variety of new affordable housing projects.
We are proud to launch the Right to Counsel program, which is designed to help our residents facing eviction in court or other pressing housing issues. No one should lose their housing because they can’t afford an attorney.
We have been using every available tool to protect our residents from the housing crisis, and these three programs are part of our larger strategy to keep our community members housed.
-Steve
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Landlord Ambassador Program Applications Open | |
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The City of Kingston is supporting the Landlord Ambassador Program, facilitated by RUPCO, utilizing the City’s ARPA funding.
With funding from Ulster County and the City of Kingston, RUPCO is administering $1.885 million in funds through the Affordable Rental Upgrade Program (ARUP) to provide financial assistance to landlords to improve the conditions of rental units in exchange for keeping rents stabilized for low-income tenants. The City of Kingston allocated $350,000 in ARPA funding to support this program, which will be awarded specifically to Kingston-based rental units. The funding allocated to ARUP for this program is part of the $4.6 million the City of Kingston has earmarked for housing action projects.
The program is open to landlords who own eight or fewer legal residential rental units. Funding may be used for repairs that address code violations, items that can lead to code violations, health and safety issues, heating, electrical, plumbing, structural issues, roofing, windows, siding, carpentry, accessibility, and energy efficiency upgrades. Beautification and cosmetic repairs are not eligible expenses. In exchange, the landlord must agree to rent the units to households at or below specified income levels and keep the monthly rental amounts stabilized at an affordable rate for a period of 5-7 years, based on the funding level.
The application deadline is December 1, 2023. More at https://rupco.org/arup/.
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First ARPA Affordable Housing Funds Granted | |
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The first three ARPA Affordable Housing Fund grants to incentivize the creation of new affordable housing units in the City of Kingston have been awarded:
- 350 Broadway ($225,000): substantial rehabilitation of a prominent mixed-use building that has been vacant for almost 30 years
- 53 Garden Street ($85,640): substantial rehabilitation of a 7-unit residential multiplex where most of the units are currently vacant due to poor interior conditions
- 58 Clifton Avenue ($50,000): construction of an accessory dwelling unit
Across the three projects, the ARPA Affordable Housing Fund applicants will leverage other sources of funding to create a total of 13 housing units. The number of affordable units created directly by the fund will be eight.
The City of Kingston allocated $1,000,000 of its federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the Affordable Housing Fund, with the goal of prioritizing development or rehabilitation projects that result in the creation of housing rented at no more than 60% Area Median Income for a period of 20 years. The fund offers grant awards of up to $75,000 per affordable housing unit, up to $300,000 per owner or property.
Grant funds may be used for essential construction or rehabilitation, including but not limited to roof repair/replacement, upgrade of electrical systems, environmental remediation, windows, accessibility ramps, plumbing, and heating systems. Depending on the total cost of the repair, a certain number of units will be subject to the affordability restrictions for the full 20-year period.
Deadline is December 15, 2023. For further information, eligible fund uses, application & more at: www.engagekingston.com/arpa-affordable-housing.
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Right to Counsel Program Launched | |
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The City of Kingston has launched a Right to Counsel program to provide free legal counsel to income-eligible Kingston residents regarding housing issues. Legal Services of the Hudson Valley has been contracted to assist with the program’s implementation.
The Right to Counsel Program will provide residents with the information, resources, services, advice, and representation they need to exercise their housing rights. Issues might include potential eviction proceedings, habitability claims for repairs, claims under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, and discrimination proceedings.
Kingston residents qualify for the Right to Counsel program if they meet Legal Services of the Hudson Valley’s eligibility requirements and have an annual income at or below 120% percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), as calculated based on household size and annually updated for Ulster County by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In addition, to ensure the program is serving those residents with the greatest need, at least 50% of all clients served by the program will have an annual income at or below 100% AMI.
The Right to Counsel Program can be accessed in any of the following ways:
- Call LSHV’s central intake at 1-877-574-8529
- Visit Legal Services offices at 550 Aaron Ct, during business hours: weekdays from 9:00am-5:00pm
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Click the ‘Get Legal Help Now’ button on lshv.org.
This free legal service is provided for income-eligible City of Kingston residents for housing issues only. Services can be offered in English and Spanish.
The City of Kingston has allocated $500,000 of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the Right to Counsel Program. More information about utilizing these legal services is available at www.EngageKingston.com/right-to-counsel.
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ARPA 2023 Community Events Grants Allocated | |
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Mayor Noble is pleased to announce the last round of APRA Community Events Grant Program grants have been awarded. The City of Kingston has allocated over $350,000 to support over 75 local events in 2023 as part of city-wide pandemic recovery efforts.
Mayor Noble said, "Kingston is a city of festivals– events and festivals are how our community celebrates, honors, mourns, and collaborates. Our events and festivals define us as a City, as they highlight our diversity, our compassion, our resilience, and our sense of fun. I am pleased we were able to support so many wonderful events throughout this year, to revive some events from pre-pandemic days, and to start some new annual traditions. Thank you to all the community groups who throw these events here in Kingston year after year, and thanks to our Grants department for facilitating this funding straight into our community, where it belongs."
The following organizations/businesses received community event grants:
Ancient Order of Hibernians
ARC of Mid-Hudson
Artport Kingston
Arts Society of Kingston (ASK)
Bardavon
Beyond the 4 Walls Outreach Program
Blauweiss Media
Burning of Kingston
Center for Creative Education
Clinton Ave Church
Center for Photography at Woodstock
Christ Everlasting Fire & Deliverance Ministry
Downtown Night Market
Edie's Fairytale Theatre
Harambee
Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation
Hudson Valley Current
Irish Cultural Center of the Hudson Valley
Kingston Artist Soap Box Derby
Kingston Land Trust
Kiwanis Club of Kingston
KHS’s Period Power Club
Kingston Uptown Business Assoc.
Love Hair Salon
Kingston Midtown Arts District
Mainetti and Mainetti
Midtown Business Alliance
The Ministry of Maat
Morning Star Christian Fellowship
My Kingston Kids
O+
Old Dutch Church
Pakt Kingston
Parks and Trails NY
Peoples Place
People USA
Rewind Kingston
Rotary Club of Kingston
St. John's Episcopal Church
Theatre on The Road
TKG Realty
TMI Project
UC Italian American Foundation
Voice Theatre
YMCA
YWCA
The 2023 Community Events Grant Program was made possible with Federal ARPA funding. The program is now closed. More information about other ARPA programs can be found at: www.engagekingston.com.
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ARPA Business Promotion Grant - Application Closing Soon | |
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Applications for the APRA Business Promotion Grant close on Monday, November 6, 2023.
The program is designed to assist in a campaign for promoting Kingston’s attractions. With funds from Kingston’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant, this program is intended to respond to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 by focusing on the promotion of local small businesses, particularly public-facing and hospitality-oriented enterprises. Up to $50,000 has been allocated for this initiative.
“Our businesses are the lifeblood of Kingston. Using COVID recovery funds to assist our business community recover from the pandemic is an important use of our American Rescue Plan Act funding,” said Mayor Noble. “With this grant program, we are looking for marketing entities who can promote Kingston businesses to both locals and visitors alike and make sure our business community continues to thrive.”
Eligible applicants must demonstrate how their marketing/promo/advertising or other efforts will promote Kingston’s businesses. Preference will be given to Kingston-based applicants. Applicants should include promotional plans, sample efforts, and budget details with their completed application. More information at www.engagekingston.com/arpa-business-promotion.
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Dietz Stadium Construction Update | |
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The stadium complex remains a closed construction site with no public access for the duration of the construction. Site demo work is substantially complete.
The site contractor has begun mass grading and rock removal to create the new practice field on the visitor side of the stadium. Installation of the new underground utilities on the north side of the site is progressing. Tree removal will begin next week as it is now clear to disturb the potential Northern Long-eared Bat habitats as their ground hibernation period has begun.
Asbestos abatement of the grandstand in conjunction with the interior demolition and extensive remodeling is underway. Exterior renovation of the grandstand is proceeding smoothly with the grinding of the bleacher concrete surfaces, power washing and restoration of the brick veneer.
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DPW continues to prep for paving on Roosevelt Avenue from Albany Avenue to Kiersted Avenue with contractors working on ADA curb ramps.
Central Hudson: Service replacements will continue next week on West Chestnut Street, and Orchard Street, with lane changes and road closures. Gas main work will occur next week on Staples St, Levan St, and Brewster St.
Central Hudson’s Uptown restoration ...
Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project: crews will continue with repairing storm and sewer connections at Prospect Street and Henry Street.
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Citywide ADA curb ramps: crews will complete construction of ramps on the south side of North Front Street at Frog Alley, and begin construction of the bluestone sidewalk on North Front Street in front of the municipal parking lot. Crews will continue to install ramps along Roosevelt Avenue.
Wurts Street Bridge: Noise will continue to be loud on occasion while we perform steel repairs.
Regular roadwork updates can be found here.
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ADA curb installation on N. Front this week | |
City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities | |
The Kingston 311 app, website and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests. The Kingston 311 app, available for Android & iPhones, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations.
This system is a valuable resource to submit service requests for streetlight replacement, roadwork, City signage, traffic calming measures and other concerns. Issues with snow removal and reporting of vehicles and sidewalks not in accordance with the Snow Emergency restrictions can also be submitted via Kingston 311. Photos can also be attached to illustrate service orders. Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us.
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Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
mayor@kingston-ny.gov
The purpose of this newsletter is to share important information, project updates, pictures and news from the City of Kingston. For more detailed information, visit:
www.kingston-ny.gov
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