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Orange County Legislature urges state to restore Healthy Neighborhoods Program funding
Summary
The Orange County Legislature unanimously adopted a resolution urging New York State to restore $1.45 million cut from the Healthy Neighborhoods Program in the FY2026–27 Executive Budget, noting the county receives $275,000 annually and the program supports roughly 500 home visits and distribution of hundreds of safety detectors.
The Orange County Legislature on March 5 adopted a resolution urging Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature to restore funding for the Healthy Neighborhoods Program (HNP) after the Executive Budget proposed eliminating $1.45 million statewide. The resolution, approved unanimously (Ayes 20; Absent 1), notes Orange County currently receives an annual award of $275,000 for HNP and that the program provides in‑home education and safety interventions to reduce housing‑related health risks.
Legislator Redeker, who asked that the resolution be placed on the agenda, described the program’s local impact and the risk if funding is cut. He said the county “receives an annual award of $275,000.00 from this state program,” and the resolution states that, on average, the county conducts 500 home visits a year and has distributed 423 smoke detectors, 419 carbon monoxide detectors and 219 fire extinguishers during the current funding cycle. The text warns that elimination of HNP funding “would result in a workforce disruption within our County Health Department” and undermine local public health capacity.
The resolution says HNP targets hazards such as asthma triggers and lead exposure and prioritizes services in the county’s three cities — Port Jervis, Middletown, and Newburgh — communities the legislation calls disproportionately impacted by socioeconomic and health inequities. The Legislature directed the Clerk to send certified copies of the resolution to the Governor and the county’s state legislative delegation.
The measure was seconded by Legislator Fascaldi and read by Legislator Scott before the unanimous vote. The resolution does not create local funding to replace a state cut; it is an official appeal to state decision‑makers ahead of the budget enactment.
