No matter how we define the boundaries of New York State- whether it be cities, towns, village, or hamlets - we are essentially a state of communities. Some are urban, some rural and some suburban.

But regardless of how different our communities are from one another, all are made stronger and healthier by an ample supply of affordable housing.

Affordable housing is the first step to strong communities.

It helps keep neighborhoods clean and safe, preserves property values, and serves as a foundation for good schools and economic vitality.

The Division of Housing and Community Renewal works to form partnerships around the state to preserve affordable housing and revitalize communities.

And we're committed to continuing to work alongside the elected leader whose dedication to their communities it is key, to the success of our programs.

Mayor Robert Duffy, Rochester, N.Y.:

"I think affordable housing is the basis foundation for success for any city, especially in a city like Rochester, which has gone through a number of changes over the decades. We were once a strong thriving economic hub here in upstate New York, Kodak employing 65,000 people down to over 10,000 presently. Affordable housing has become one of the issue how to transforms the community."

Mayor Paul V. Pontieri, Village of Patchogue, N.Y.:

"Communities will not survive without it, the greater community of Long Island will not survive without a serious implementation of affordable housing. What it has done to change this community is irreversible. It is the single most important thing this community especially the ones like Patchogue, the older downtown communities."

Shaun Donovan, HUD Secretary:

"First of all, housing is important everywhere today. New York has been incredibly successful, this is the dream come true, if you will, for new housing, not only we are getting market rate affordable housing here, in a spectacular location, we are getting new park to go along with it. Getting green design, it's just a great story all around."

Allen Hipps, Executive Director, Adirondack Community Housing Trust:

"Affordable housing around the Adirondack Park, is housing for the people who are just simply trying to become homeowners for the first time. That is typical of the school teacher, a nurse, someone working one or two seasonal jobs."

Supervisor Gregg E. Wallace, Town of Long Lake:

"Some call it low income housing, others call it work force housing, in Long Lake, and they all meet head to head. The average income in Long Lake family of four qualifies. We got to look hard to find people making $40,000 a year. There are people in our community that don't feel the need for the project; we don't see it that way. We think we are offering something that hasn't been offered before. Certainly in Long Lake but never been offered in the Adirondacks. We have something we hope to use to be built upon, throughout the Adirondack Park."

Susan C. Goetschius, former Mayor Wellsville:

"Our housing stock is aging, we have to provide our people with safe affordable, accessible housing and to keep them here. This is critical to keep young people here. It is also critical to keep our seniors citizens here."

Deborah VanAmerongen, Commissioner DHCR:

"Whether we are doing infill single family homes and neighborhoods, which look just like the other single family home next to it, or a townhouse development in areas where there are other townhouses. It really looks just as good, just as nice and as oppose to people perceptions about it reducing property values or bringing in crime, we have seen that it can actually increase property value and it can have a catalytic effect on other people being willing to invest in that same neighborhood."

Mayor Paul V. Pontieri:

"When Copper Beach was completed we began to see a sense on the main street. Copper Beach is no more than 250 yards from the center of downtown, we began to get sense on Main Street investments is going on, maybe some of our investment will start on Main Street. Since Copper Beach been opened we had five restaurants open, all of them are thriving."

Mayor Robert Duffy:

"Housing touches economic development, it really helps families get back on their feet, and it impacts education, because if a family can live in safe affordable housing; clean housing, close access to schools, it will help the educational atmosphere all the way around and public safety, we want houses that are safe."

Mayor Paul V. Pontieri:

"It gives that energy, it is amazing when go over to Copper Beach and you walk to and talk to the kids, school teachers, cops; you name it they are there. They bring that disposable income that only young kids have, to the downtown to the community. They love it, they love being in their neighborhood. It is the Levittown of its time."

Mayor Robert Duffy:

"What we are seeing in essence is the planning of a garden, seeds everywhere. With this we are seeing individual effects of transforming gardens neighborhoods in our cities. "

Last updated on 02/13/09

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