Kingston caucus backs memorializing resolution on state social-housing authority, agrees to change “union-built” language

City of Kingston Common Council caucus members on Monday agreed to support a memorializing resolution urging the state Legislature and governor to create a social housing development authority, but they instructed sponsors to remove language saying housing would be “union-built” and replace it with wording referencing workers who earn prevailing wage.

The resolution asks Albany lawmakers to create an authority that sponsors say would develop large numbers of permanently affordable units statewide, set rents at no more than 25 percent of income for qualifying tenants and prioritize residents at up to 80 percent of area median income. Councilmembers described the measure as time-sensitive because the state legislative session ends in June.

Supporters said the authority is intended to create tens of thousands of permanently affordable units and to expand options for municipal…