Housing Programs

North Country Rural Development (NRDC) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in Essex, Washington, and Warren counties by offering comprehensive housing grant programs. These programs are specifically designed to assist low to moderate-income individuals and families, ensuring they have access to safe, decent, and affordable housing. Our initiatives cover a range of needs, from major home rehabilitations and emergency repairs to mobility modifications and the replacement of dilapidated mobile or manufactured homes. We prioritize vulnerable populations such as families with young children, the elderly, and low-income households.

Housing preservation is critically important in rural areas where housing stock can be limited and often older, requiring significant maintenance to remain habitable. By preserving and improving our existing housing stock, we not only enhance public health by addressing safety hazards and improving living conditions but also ensure the long-term stability and resilience of our communities. Effective housing programs reduce the need for more costly interventions in the future and support the overall well-being of residents.

We proudly support Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and Section 3 contractors, encouraging them to apply and participate in our programs. NRDC is a non-discriminatory employer and strictly adheres to fair housing practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants and participants. Our commitment to fair housing underscores our mission to foster inclusive and equitable communities.

RESTORE Program

Residential Emergency Services to Offer (Home) Repairs to the Elderly

The RESTORE Program provides financial help to senior homeowners (age 60 and older) to cover the cost of emergency repairs or code violations that threaten their health, safety, or home livability.

These critical repairs allow seniors to remain safe and independent in their own homes.

Who Can Receive Assistance?
To qualify for help, a homeowner must:

  • Be 60 years of age or older
  • Own and live in the home as their primary residence
  • Have a household income at or below 100% of the area median income

HOME Program

HOME Investment Partnership Program

The HOME Program supports the development and preservation of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low-income households across New York State.

It is federally funded and managed by the NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR).

Grants are awarded to local governments and non-profit organizations—called Local Program Administrators (LPAs)—to help build, improve, or preserve affordable housing in their communities.

Who Can Receive Assistance?

  • Households earning at or below 80% of the area median income.
  • Own and live in the home as their primary residence

NRDC Eligible HOME Activities 

  • Home rehabilitation 
  • Manufactured Home Replacement 

Vacant Rental Improvement Program (VRP)

The Vacant Rental Improvement Program (VRP) is a grant program funded by the State of New York and administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR). The goal of the program is to increase the supply of safe, quality, and affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income renters outside of New York City.

VRP provides funding to help owners repair and rehabilitate vacant rental units and other unused spaces in small-scale properties, bringing them back into productive use as long-term rental housing.

What the Funding Can Be Used For

VRP funds may be used to rehabilitate vacant housing units that are currently uninhabitable or unmarketable

For more information, go to https://essexcountylandbank.org/vacant-rental-program-vrp/

Plus One ADU Program

The Plus One ADU Program is a state-supported initiative designed to help create and improve Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) across New York.

It supports low- and middle-income single-family homeowners with a household area median income no higher than 120% who want to:

  • Build a new ADU on their property, or

  • Upgrade an existing ADU to meet local and state building codes.

For more information, go to https://essexcountylandbank.org/

Mobile and Manufactured Home Replacement (MMHR) Program

The MMHR Program, funded by New York State, helps low- and moderate-income homeowners replace old or unsafe mobile or manufactured homes with a new manufactured, modular, or site-built home.

Who Can Receive Assistance (Homeowner Eligibility)

To qualify, homeowners must:

  • Live in the home as their primary residence
  • Own the land where the current mobile or manufactured home is located
  • Have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)

For assistance with the online application, please call our office at 518-585-6366. We are also happy to mail you a paper copy.

If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to contact our office.