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County staff recommend CHDF Round 26 awards including Ross House and Citizen project; funds subject to approval

Tompkins County Housing & Economic Development Committee · August 6, 2026
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Summary

Staff recommended awards from the Community Housing Development Fund (Round 26) totaling requests of $660,000 across three applicants: Habitat for Humanity for two for‑sale homes, Citizen (Rochester Management) for a 59‑unit project (recommended $100,000), and Ross House (REACH) recommended for $200,000; recommendations are subject to each funder's approvals and project permitting.

David West presented the Community Housing Development Fund (CHDF) Round 26 review and recommendations. He said the CHDF partnership—county, city, Cornell and towns—has committed $8.7 million in local funding to date and has leveraged roughly $396 million in affordable housing investment.

"To date we have committed $8,700,000 in local funding," David said, and summarized that three applications were received this year with total award requests of $660,000. Recommended awards include funding for two Habitat for Humanity for‑sale homes, a $100,000 recommendation for the Citizen project (a 59‑unit LIHTC rental) and $200,000 recommended for Ross House (REACH) at the former St. John's shelter site on State Street.

Committee members pressed staff on how the program balances per‑unit funding for small for‑sale projects versus leveraging support for large LIHTC rental projects; staff explained program parameters prioritize for‑sale units with higher per‑unit caps (up to $80,000 per for‑sale unit and a lower cap for rental) and described a two‑step technical review and oversight process that includes local review committees and permitting checks before funds are disbursed.

David emphasized that funds are not disbursed until a project is fully approved and permitted; recommendations remain subject to each funding partner’s approval and the committee did not take final funding action in this meeting.

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