FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2020
Mayor Noble Issues Affordable Housing Executive Order
KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble has issued an Executive Order declaring that all developers of five or more units of housing will be required to have at least 10% affordable units.
The Executive Order applies to housing across the City of Kingston, with affordable defined as 80% Area Mean Income (AMI), based on current Ulster County statistics with adjustments for family size. The cost of the housing unit will be calculated as to not exceed 30% of a household’s income and will be updated by the City of Kingston on an annual basis.
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Household size
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1
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2
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3
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4
|
5
|
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80%Area Median Income
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46,900
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53,600
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60,300
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66,950
|
72,350
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Those seeking Planning Board approval for new or existing housing plans will have to meet this guideline to get site approval.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the City of Kingston in many ways, including putting further strain on an already over-stretched housing market,” said Mayor Noble. “Our City desperately needs all types of housing for all income levels. We have known since early 2020 that we are in a dire housing situation, and I felt I needed to act before any new developments arise.”
On March 13, 2020, Mayor Noble declared a State of Emergency in the City of Kingston. Per General Municipal Law, the Mayor has the power to enact temporary measures to protect life, property and the well-being of residents.
New York State has issued an eviction moratorium, which is currently due to expire at the end of January 2021. In an effort to curb evictions locally, the City of Kingston, in collaboration with RUPCO, is currently taking applications for a Rental Assistance Program for anyone within the City who is in arrears for rent up to three months.