Ulster County schedules July hearings on two property tax exemptions for affordable housing and surviving spouses of fallen officers

The Ways and Means Committee set public hearings for July 14 on two proposed local laws that would provide county‑portion property tax relief.

Legislator Lisa Gman, sponsor of proposed Local Law 10 of 2026, described the state statute (Real Property Tax Law section 457‑a) that allows a 50% county‑portion exemption for homes sold by nonprofit affordable‑housing organizations (for example Habitat for Humanity) and limited to income‑qualified households. Gman estimated typical annual county tax savings for an affected homeowner could range from a few hundred dollars up to nearly $4,000, depending on assessment and municipal components.

Gman said the exemption could reduce the subsidy Habitat provides per home and thus increase the number of homes the nonprofit can produce. The committee noted Ulster County could be among the first New York counties to adopt the option and that towns and school districts may opt in separately.

The committee also set a public hearing for proposed Local Law 11 of 2026, which would provide a county‑portion property tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty, consistent with New York Real Property Tax Law Article 4, Title 2, section 471. Legislator Chris Kriswell suggested the county could pursue a state change to expand the definition of spouse to include domestic partnerships.

Both hearings were set for July 14 (Local Law 10 at 7:05 p.m.; Local Law 11 at 7:10 p.m.). The committee invited public comment and noted towns and school entities would have separate decisions if they choose to participate in the exemption.