The Binghamton City Council on a voice/roll call vote approved introductory resolution R24-103 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Southern Door Community Land Trust to deploy $386,749 of remaining ARPA funds toward an affordable housing project.

The motion was made by Councilman Hotchkiss and seconded by Councilman Dunton. During discussion Hotchkiss said the allocation is a better use of the remaining ARPA funds than sending the money to the land bank and called the project an opportunity to put a local housing organization “under their belt” and position it to pursue additional funding.

At public comment, Hajar Aziz, director of the Southern Door Community Land Trust, thanked council members and described the organization as the area’s only BIPOC-led housing group focused on producing long-term affordable units for marginalized residents. “I stand before you today to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support of the special vote to allocate the remaining ARPA funds amounting to $386,749 to the Southern Door Community Land Trust,” she said.

Dominique Rice, speaking on behalf of the land trust, described the project at 6 Florence Street, said the trust had provided the mayor and council the requested budget and timeline details, and said the portion of work covered by this agreement could be completed in about 20 to 25 weeks depending on permitting and weather. Rice told the council an agreement would be presented for the mayor’s signature after the council’s approval.

Clerk roll call recorded votes in the affirmative from Councilmembers Porter, Middleton, Kavanaugh, Dunton, Costi, Hotchkiss and Council President Metabetsky; the resolution passed and the mayor was authorized to execute the agreement.

The vote authorizes the city to formalize terms with the land trust; the council did not specify additional funding conditions in the meeting. The council’s action moves the project toward contract execution by the mayor and the next step is mayoral signature and administration-level implementation.