Budget Update
It looks like the budget is signed, sealed and delivered. For the first time in recent memory the final budget has come in lower than the governor’s original proposal (granted, it is also the first time that the governor has changed between a budget proposal and budget agreement).
Due to New York’s current financial uncertainty and a $4 billion dollar deficit, many programs originally proposed in January were not in the final budget. One of which was the $400 million Housing Opportunity Fund. But this year’s budget does contain an extra $200 million in funding for various housing programs, including an additional $20 million for the Affordable Housing Corporation Fund (this is on top of the original re-appropriation of $25 million).
We discussed this possibility with all of our members who attended Lobby Day and recommended that they encourage their legislators to look at this alternative if the HOF was eliminated. So thanks to everyone’s support on Lobby Day and the constant pressure we have kept on the Legislature this year, housing is now an important issue in Albany. As the Times Union put it: “Housing Home Run in Budget”
Some of the major projects receiving funding include:
Housing Trust Fund ($31 million):
HTF provides funding to eligible applicants to construct low-income housing, to rehabilitate vacant or under-utilized residential property (or portions of a property), or to convert vacant non-residential property to residential use for occupancy by low-income homesteaders, tenants, tenant-cooperators or condominium owners. HTF can also provide seed funding to eligible non-profit applicants who need financial assistance in developing a full HTF project application.
Affordable Housing Corporation: ($20 million):
The New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) administers the Affordable Home Ownership Development Program (AHOD Program) which provides grants to governmental, not-for-profit and charitable groups to build, acquire/rehabilitate or improve homes for low and moderate income families.
The Program has two primary goals:
To promote home ownership among families of low and moderate income for whom there are few affordable home ownership alternatives in the private market
To stimulate the development, stabilization and preservation of New York communities.
Homes for Working Families ($10 million):
Under the Homes for Working Families Program, HWF financing of up to $35,000 per HTFC-assisted unit ($45,000 in New York City) is provided to family or senior rental projects in which more than 50 percent of the project cost is financed by a public authority with tax-exempt bonds allocated from the State's Private Activity Bond Volume Cap. This enables the project to receive an allocation of 4 percent as-of-right Low-Income Housing Credit (LIHC) that is not included in the State's 9 percent tax credit ceiling.
Further, under this program 100 percent of HWF-assisted units must to meet LIHC rent restriction requirements providing units affordable to households at or below 60% of area median income. However, 20% of overall project units may be over affordable for households above 60% of area median income, though these units cannot be financed by HWF. The HTFC loan is generally provided in the form of a 30 year, 1 percent interest loan payable from 50 percent of available cash flow.
Public Housing Modernization ($5 million):The modernization program is an important source of funding for the State's portfolio of public housing. Since 1989, grants have been allocated on a multi-year basis for comprehensive, long-range modernization plans. The grants are used to replace or repair roofs, heating systems and ventilation work, renovate elevators, plumbing systems, modernize bathrooms and kitchens, replace existing windows and add storm windows. Improvements to a development can also include masonry re-pointing and repair, upgrading of electrical systems, landscaping, lead testing and asbestos abatement.
New York Main Street ($5 million): The New York Main Street grant program is a "bricks and mortar" program that provides funding for building renovations, façade and streetscape improvements and, in limited cases, capital funding for projects intended to anchor downtown districts. The program also provides technical assistance and other resources to support community revitalization efforts.
Infrastructure Improvements: ($5 million):This will provide funds to eligible applicants for infrastructure improvements, such as sewer, water and utility lines, in connection with the building of affordable housing.Access to Home ($4 million):This program will provide financial assistance to property owners to make dwelling units accessible for low- and moderate income persons with disabilities. Providing assistance with the cost of adapting homes to meet the needs of those with disabilities will enable individuals to safely and comfortably continue to live in their residences and avoid institutional care.Grants will be made to municipalities and eligible not-for-profit entities and that have substantial experience in adapting or retrofitting homes for persons with disabilities. Adaptation work must meet the needs of those with physical disabilities and seniors with an age-related disability.
Urban Initiatives ($3.5 million):The purpose of the Urban Initiatives program is to provide financial/technical resources to New York communities for the restoration and improvement of housing, commercial areas and public/community facilities in urban neighborhoods. This program will provide grants to not-for-profit community based organizations and charitable organizations that have a direct interest in improving the health, safety and economic viability of a distressed urban neighborhood or other aspects of the area environment that are related to community preservation or renewal activities.
For additional information on these and other housing funds in the state budget please contact Lew Dubuque at (518) 465-2492 ext. 113 or lewisd@nysba.com.
Member Benefits
USA Payroll (your NYSBA Endorsed Payroll Service)
You may be thinking, if you know one payroll service company, you know them all. Well, we at NYSBA can tell you, that is not true. USA Payroll has the best customer service we at NYSBA have EVER experienced from a payroll service! This is no exaggeration!!! If you want to talk to Beth Brown at NYSBA and ask her how easy USA Payroll is to deal with and how helpful USA Payroll is, than you should call her at 518-465-2492, ext 115! USA Payroll guarantees their best quote up front, THE FIRST TIME. As a NYSBA member you receive 15% of their street rate. If your current payroll service provider can match USA Payroll now, then why weren’t they providing their service at that rate to begin with? AND once your current payroll company says they can match USA Payroll, are they going to pay your local HBA a royalty?
USA PAYROLL:
NYSBA Endorsed Program
Best Rate Upfront
Excellent Customer Service
Royalties paid to your local HBA at the end of the year!!!!
Call Susan at USA Payroll NOW! 585-503-8591, x111Workers’ Comp Safety GroupHave you considered the New York State Builders Association Safety Group #564 managed by Risk Management Planning Group, Inc (RMPG)? The New York State Insurance Department has approved a revision in the manual rates. The revision, which becomes effective October 1, 2007, represents an average decrease of 18.4%. The New York Sate Assessment Charge is also decreased from 18.6% to 15.5%, which when combined with the overall average rate charge will result in an average net charge to policy holders of -20.5%. This change will save you money!!! Please call Leigh Brown at NYSBA, (518) 465-2492 ext. 121 or Keith Crevatas at RMPG, (800) 247-8008 for more information!Builders Risk Insurance This product, underwritten by Great American and managed by Warwick Resource Group, covers fire, theft of materials, vandalism and profit and property in transit, is competitively priced with coverage being able to be written on a home-by-home basis, by monthly report or on a blanket basis (audited annually).Member Rebate Program This is a new program for all mid-size and smaller Builders and Remodelers. You can now receive the same rebates as the large Builders and Remodelers! This is a SIMPLE program! You do not have to save receipts! Please call Leigh Brown with any questions, 518-465-249, ext 121. In NYSBA’s 2007 4th Quarter reports 17 members received $5038.50!
NAHB UNIVERSITY OF HOUSING
“LIFESTYLE MERCHANDISING, ADVERTISING AND
PROMOTION STRATEGIES”
A merchandised model is more than a sales tool: it’s a showcase for the lifestyle a buyer can expect to enjoy
in a new home. This course offers participants an array of advertising, public relations and marketing ideas,
including the design of models and sales centers that appeal to a target market, optimize traffic flow, and
impress prospective customers.
As a graduate of this course, you will: Know a variety of advertising and promotional techniques; Use the techniques best suited to your particular community; Devise and coordinate an effective marketing campaign; Design models and sales centers that excite customer interest.
Designation Credit: CMP, MIRM
Continuing Education Credit: CAPS, CGA, CGB, CGR, CMP, CSP, Master CSP, GMB, MIRM
UPCOMING NAHB UNIVERSITY OF HOUSING COURSES
APRIL, 2008
REGISTRATION DEADLINES ARE FAST APPROACHING
COURSE
SPONSORING LOCAL
COURSE
DATE
REG. DEADLINE
Certified New Homes Sales Professional (CSP)
Hudson Valley
April 22-24
April 15
Estimating
Long Island
April 24
April 17
Customer Service
Southern Tier
April 24
April 17
MAY, 2008
Lifestyle Merchandising, Advertising & Promotion Strategies
Capital Region
May 13 & 14
May 6
Recognizing the Big-Four Safety Hazards for the Home Building
Central New York
May 21
May 14
Sales & Marketing for Remodelers
Southern Tier
May 22
May 15
Green Building for Building Professionals
Long Island Builders Institute
May 27 & 28
May 20
Business Management for Building Professionals
Long Island Builders Institute
May 29
May 22
For additional questions regarding the NAHB program or a specific course, please contact Barbara Carpenter via email at bcarpenter@nysba.com, or call at 518-465-2492 ext. 112 or Sallye Romagna via email at sromagna@nysba.com, or call at 518-465-2492 ext. 114.
To access a registration form please visit our website at www.nysba.com, click on the maroon REF logo, and navigate to the Educational Seminars and Training Programs.
If you don’t see a course listed that you need to attend for completion of your designation, or of general interest to your professional or personal growth, please contact your local builders association and let them know your educational needs. We work closely with our local associations to design educational programs that will be relevant to your needs.
NYSBA Research and Education Foundation courses are sponsored in part by:
POLLARD WINDOWS
Cheektowaga, NY
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