Syracuse Designated Among First NYS Pro-Housing Communities

Published on May 29, 2024

 Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) has named the City of Syracuse a Pro-Housing Community. The Pro-Housing Communities Program, launched by Governor Hochul last year, recognizes municipalities for their commitment to housing growth. 

“Syracuse is honored to be selected among the first state designated Pro-Housing Communities,” Mayor Walsh said. “It is the result of years of hard work and creative problem solving by the City’s Department of Neighborhood and Business Development and our multiple non-profit and private sector housing partners. With New York’s help, I’m confident we will continue to grow the supply of quality affordable housing in the City of Syracuse. I thank Governor Hochul and HCR Commissioner RuthAnn Visnauskas for their consistent support for Syracuse housing priorities.” 

“Across our state, local leaders are joining our Pro-Housing Communities program to take a stand against New York’s housing crisis and commit to building the homes New Yorkers deserve,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration is ready to work with any community that shares our determination to build safe, stable, and affordable housing, and I encourage even more local leaders to launch their applications, get certified, and help us achieve our housing potential in every part of the state.” 

In 2023, Governor Hochul signed an Executive Order to establish the Pro-Housing Community Program in order to recognize and reward municipalities actively working to unlock their housing potential and encourage others to follow suit. Localities that have successfully unlocked housing growth or committed to taking important steps to support housing, such as by streamlining permitting and adopting pro-housing policies, and that have applied and submitted critical housing and zoning data to the state, will receive a certification from New York State Homes and Community Renewal.  

Pro-Housing Communities are eligible for up to $650 million in state discretionary funding.  The discretionary funding programs include: 

• Downtown Revitalization Initiative, administered by the Department of State
• NY Forward, administered by the Department of State
• Regional Council Capital Fund, administrated by Empire State Development
• New York Main Street, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal
• Market New York capital grants, administered by Empire State Development
• Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund, administered by Empire State Development
• Public Transportation Modernization Enhancement Program, administrated by the Department of Transportation.