SULLIVAN, NY — RUPCO, a non-profit dedicated to sustainable housing 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 Sullivan, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, and Westcheste 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 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. For more information about the Vacant Rental Improvement Program or RUPCO's initiatives, visit www.rupco.org