KINGSTON, N.Y. – A $5 million state grant has been awarded to Ulster County in partnership with RUPCO to help homeowners with the construction of new, code-compliant accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, according to Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger.
In partnership with RUPCO and eight municipalities whose zoning permits ADUs, the funding will facilitate Round 2 of the state’s Plus One ADU Program. Municipalities include the city of Kingston, the towns of Woodstock, Saugerties, Rosendale, Lloyd and Ulster, and the villages of Ellenville and New Paltz.
Eligible homeowners, earning 100% or less of Ulster County’s Area Median Income, can apply for up to approximately $110,000 for ADU construction or rehabilitation.
According to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Median Income in Ulster County for 2024 is $117,200 for a family and $72,200 for a single individual.
In return, participants agree to rent the unit at an affordable rate for a minimum of 10 years, Metzger’s office said.
Award grantees receive support from Ulster County and RUPCO throughout the design, construction, and permitting process.
In Round 1 of the Ulster County Plus One ADU Program, 14 recipients were selected from a pool of over 100 applicants, Metzger said.
“These awardees are currently in the design and permitting process to ensure project feasibility before finalizing contracts with the County and RUPCO to access construction funding for their ADUs,” a press release said. “During Round 1 of the program, a design competition was held to create low-cost and sustainable ADU building plans.”
Metzger said ADUs will help with the housing crisis.
“ADUs are a great way to expand the availability of housing that is affordable, and can also benefit property owners in different ways, whether it’s providing a needed source of additional income, or enabling a caregiver or relative to live in close proximity,” Metzger said in a statement.
RUPCO Chief Executive Officer Kevin O’Connor said his agency is ready to help.
“We are pleased to be at the forefront of this new initiative to create accessory dwelling units along with our partners,” O’Connor said in a statement. “Hopefully, we will continue to demonstrate the success that ADUs can have for both homeowners and tenants.”
Kingston Mayor Steve Noble said the city is “thrilled to continue this work with Ulster County and RUPCO to support low- and moderate-income homeowners with funding for the construction of an ADU.”