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Lackawanna council backs New York 'pro housing' certification application
Summary
Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting Lackawanna's application for New York State's pro‑housing certification, a prerequisite to compete for development grants such as New York Forward and DRI funding; staff said the city aims to submit required materials by Feb. 6.
The Lackawanna City Council on Feb. 2 approved a resolution supporting the city's application for New York State's pro‑housing certification, a required step to be eligible for competitive state programs including New York Forward and DRI grants. John Clark West, the city's director of development and marketing, told the council the application process involves a letter of intent (already submitted), a templated resolution and a data upload of zoning and permitting records for the last five years.
"You have to be a pro housing certified community to even be in the game," John Clark West said, explaining the 4‑step process and that the administration planned to submit the remaining materials by Feb. 6. West said the program can lead to awards in the roughly $5 million to $10 million range for participating communities, but that certification allows the city to apply rather than guaranteeing an award. Council members voted 5–0 to receive, file and adopt the resolution.
The certification, part of Governor Hochul's criteria, requires the city to translate permit and zoning data into a state template and respond to questions during a 60–90 day review window. City officials said they would follow up with additional documentation if reviewers asked for clarifications. The council's vote authorizes the administration to move forward with the state's process; council members recorded the motion as carried 5–0.
