Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Capacity topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning department to advertise new housing-and-community-development administrator; regional housing study funded
Summary
Tompkins County Planning & Sustainability announced a reimagined position focused on housing and community development, a Southern Tier regional housing study, and reported that Danby secured nearly $700,000 in homeowner rehabilitation funding that leveraged county seed money.
Tompkins County planning staff on Thursday described organizational changes and regional housing work intended to increase capacity for housing programs and grant administration.
Katie (Planning & Sustainability) said Joan Jerkovich, a long‑time planning staff member, will retire in mid‑February and the department will advertise a reimagined role titled planning administrator, housing and community development director. "The new position is going to be called planning administrator, housing and community development director," Katie said, adding the role will supervise housing and community development planning staff and handle grant and contract compliance.
The department also said the Southern Tier 8 regional board has secured funding for a regional housing study and will hire a consultant; county staff expect to play a leadership role. The study will include a regional needs assessment and consider scaling successful programs, building regional capacity and proposing a framework to attract investment.
The planning report highlighted an awarded Office of Homes and Community Renewal grant to the Town of Danby for nearly $700,000 in homeowner rehabilitation. Officials noted Tompkins County’s Housing Affordability and Infrastructure Support grant — an $8,000 county investment to hire a consultant — helped Danby secure the larger award. "For every $1 the county spent, the town will receive $87 for critical improvements," staff said as they relayed the town planner’s thank-you note.
Why it matters: The new staff position and regional study are intended to expand county capacity for housing project administration and to leverage state and regional funds for local housing needs.
Ending: The department plans to advertise the position soon and hopes to have new staff on board this spring; staff will update the committee as the regional study and Danby project proceed.
