The Department of Housing Initiatives is a newly established department dedicated to support housing planning in the City of Kingston. The Department manages housing-related grants, supports the construction of new market-rate and affordable housing, develops policies to protect existing residents, and addresses the connection between housing and sustainability, health, and mobility. The Department also reviews the disposition of city-owned property suitable for housing development and collaborates with local and regional housing organizations.
The City of Kingston is a proud member of the Ulster County Housing Smart Communities Initiative and a member of the Up For Growth network. The Office of Housing Initiatives also manages a City of Kingston Housing Task Force.
Upcoming Housing-Related Public Events & News
DRI Residential Rehab Program: The City of Kingston is proud to use a portion of its Downtown Revitalization Initiative(External link) funds to help income-eligible residential property owners undertake minor/substantial repairs to resolve building code violations, address health and safety hazards, and make necessary structural improvements. For more information, see here.
ARPA Affordable Housing Fund: The City of Kingston has allocated $1,000,000 of its ARPA allocated to incentivize the development of affordable housing. Applications will be accepted beginning on June 1, 2021. For more information, see here.
ADU Plus One Program: In partnership with Ulster County and RUPCO, a grant program to help homeowners pay for the creation of new Accessory Dwelling Unit is now open! Applications are due on September 8. For more information, see here: https://rupco.org/plusone/
Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Competition: The City of Kingston, in partnership with RUPCO and Ulster County, is hosting an accessory dwelling unit design competition. Submissions are due August 15, 2023. For more information, see here.
Citywide Rezoning: As of August 2, 2023, the citywide form-based code is in effect. For more details and the latest updates, visit https://engagekingston.com/kingston-forward.
Emergency Tenant Protection Act: On July 28, 2022, the Common Council of the City Kingston passed Resolution 144 of 2022 to declare a housing emergency. That Resolution, based on a careful study of local housing conditions, allows Kingston to opt into the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA). Mayor Steve Noble signed the legislation on July 29, 2022. The effective date of this legislation is August 1, 2022. For the City's ETPA tenant information hub on Engage Kingston to learn about your rights under this legislation, click here. If you are a tenant or owner, you can also visit DHCR's rent connect website (https://rent.hcr.ny.gov/RentConnect/Welcome) for all relevant forms and documentation.
Active Housing Projects on Engage Kingston
Kingston Forward: Citywide Rezoning
City of Kingston Surplus Properties
Emergency Tenant Protection Act Information Hub
ARPA Affordable Housing Fund
Say Yes to ADUs! Accessory Dwelling Design Competition
Midtown Thriving: Brownfield Opportunity Area Grant
Relevant Plans
A Plan for Redevelopment: The City of Kingston’s Vacant and Abandoned Properties
Kingston 2025 Comprehensive Plan
Fact Sheets & Housing Resources
Short-term rental regulations in the City of Kingston - This fact sheet outlines the regulations for short-term rentals in the City of Kingston under the form-based zoning code. The online registration link is: https://cityofkingston.munirevs.com
Do you have a complaint related to short-term rental activity? You can submit it here. (Make sure to select City of Kingston, NY under the jurisdiction)
Housing Development Process - This fact sheet outlines the current process for building new housing in the City of Kingston.
Landlord-Tenant Housing Mediation Program - This fact sheet provides information on the Landlord-Tenant Housing Mediation Program. This program provides free, confidential mediation from a trained mediator that can help resolve your conflict without having to go to housing court. To get started, fill out an intake form or call the DRC at (845) 372-8771 x 5001 to reach Jolynn Dunn.
Emergency Tenant Protection Act in Kingston, New York (last updated on December 5, 2022) - On July 28, 2022, the Common Council of the City Kingston passed Resolution 144 of 2022 to declare a housing emergency. This fact sheet gives information on the implementation of ETPA in Kingston and contains a list of properties covered by ETPA.
Residential Tenants' Rights Guide - This guide from the Attorney General's Office summarizes renter's rights and protections under New York State Law.
City of Kingston Disposition Policy - The City of Kingston follow this property for selling surplus property.
Contact Information
Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing Initiatives
(845) 334-3928
[email protected]