New York has opened the application period for $200 million in grant funding for projects aimed at helping communities modernize their downtown areas.
The deadline to apply is Nov. 7, with exceptions for communities in New York City, which must complete applications by Oct. 31.
Half the funding will come from the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and the other will come from the NY Forward program, which focuses on revitalizing smaller, rural downtowns.
The two programs have awarded more than $1.2 billion to 151 communities since DRI’s inception in 2016 and NY Forward’s creation in 2022.
To receive DRI or NY Forward Funding, applicants must be Pro-Housing Certified or submit a letter of intent prior to applying and be fully certified prior to award announcements.
The New York Pro-Housing Communities Program is a certification for local governments that are actively implementing policies to support housing growth and address the state’s housing shortage. To apply, localities must submit documentation of their housing planning, permit approvals, and zoning codes to New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR).
Certified localities also have exclusive access to up to $750 million in state funding, including a $100 million Pro-Housing Supply fund to assist with critical infrastructure projects necessary to create new housing, such as sewer and water infrastructure upgrades.
More than municipalities in New York are Pro-Housing certified, the state said.
DRI has awarded a total of $900 million to 91 communities in its first eight rounds and invested in the creation of over 4,500 new housing units. NY Forward has awarded a total of $300 million to 60 communities over three rounds.
Photo by Lukas Kloeppel from Pexels
