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County staff brief legislators on CHDF awards, ADU funding and state pro‑housing certification options
Summary
Staff outlined a $80,000 CHDF award for a Habitat modular home, summarized small municipal grants for feasibility and ADU design, and explained the state 'Pro‑Housing Communities' certification process that unlocks competitive state funding.
Housing and planning staff updated the committee on multiple housing initiatives, including a Community Housing Development Fund (CHDF) award, the county’s small grants program, and the state's Pro‑Housing Communities certification process.
David West and Shauna Stevenson described the CHDF Round 25 recommendation: an $80,000 award to support a modular Habitat for Humanity home at 610 West Court Street. "Habitat sells at a significantly reduced cost," staff said, and buyers are typically at or near 60% of median income; the CHDF award will be braided with donations and other grants and the home will carry long‑term resale restrictions through a community land trust or limited equity model to preserve affordability.
Staff reported three 2025 municipal grants under the Housing Affordability and Supportive Infrastructure program: Town of Dryden received $9,900 for a feasibility study of the Leonardo parcel; Town of Varna (Varna) received $10,000 for sewer district expansion planning; and the City of Ithaca received $10,000 to procure pre‑approved ADU designs to implement recently passed ADU legislation. Staff noted these grants are frequently multi‑year and that budget adjustments may be requested later to reflect project timing.
Planning staff explained the state’s Pro‑Housing Communities program — cities, towns and villages can pursue certification (counties are not eligible) which unlocks access to multiple state funding streams including $10 million DRRI grants and other programs. Several Tompkins County municipalities are already certified (City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Village of Dryden, Village of Groton, Village of Trumansburg and others); staff offered to help remaining municipalities and TECOG members with the application steps (letter of intent, zoning data, resolution of support or evidence of housing growth).
Why it matters: the CHDF award moves funds toward a home subsidized for lower‑income buyers and the pro‑housing presentation outlines a route for local municipalities to access large state grants; staff emphasized county assistance to municipalities with limited planning capacity.
