Housing Development

The Development Authority of the North Country has several affordable housing programs that it can utilitze in conjunction with developers to provide quality housing in the North Country. 

Affordable Housing Programs

The Development Authority administers two of its own affordable housing programs.  The Housing Revolving Loan Fund was created in 1987 with $750,000 from New York State and the Affordable Rental Housing Program was created in 1988 with an additional $12 million from the State.  Since inception, $26.4 million has been lent to projects totaling $78 million to create or assist 1,417 affordable housing units in the three counties.

Funds from the Affordable Rental Housing Programs can be used for the following: 

• Apartments and Single-Family Rental Homes.
• Housing must be permanent in nature; no seasonal or transient housing will be assisted.
• Rehabilitation of existing residential space is preferred.  New construction or conversion of vacant or nonresidential property to residential use is eligible and will be considered based on its overall impact to the community.
• Mixed-use projects where funds are used to assist in the development of affordable rental units.

Projects funded through the Affordable Housing Programs will be regulated for a minimum of 15 years through a Regulatory Agreement.  units assisted may only be made available to those families earning no more than 100% of the statewide median income with annual rent limits adjusted annually.  In certain instances, funds through the Housing Revolving Loan Fund may be used for market rate housing.  For more information on this loan program contact Michelle Capone at mcapone@danc.org.

Community Rental Housing Program

The Community Rental Housing Program was created in 2006 in response to the announcement of an additional brigade at Fort Drum.  The program was funded by New York State, Jefferson County and the Development Authority of the North Country.  The funds were used to provide low-interest, long-term loans along with other state and federal financing programs to entice developers to build to meet market demand created by the Fort Drum expansion.  Projects funded included:

• 200 units at Summit Wood Apartments, Watertown
• 354 units at Eagle Ridge Apartments, Calcium
• 40 units at Carthage Apartments, Carthage
• 100 units at Creek Wood, Watertown

 For more information on the Community Rental Housing Program contact Michelle Capone at mcapone@danc.org.

North Country HOME Consortium 

Since 1994, the Development Authority has administered the federal HOME program on behalf of the North Country HOME Consortium, comprised of 111 municipalities in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Awards are made on an annual basis, as funds are available, to housing providers for assistance to low- and moderate- income families. Funds are used for first-time homebuyer assistance, and owner-occupied and rental rehabilitation projects. The North Country HOME Consortium has provided over $23 million dollars to assist over 1,600 housing units. 

Reports and Plans associated with the North Country HOME Consortium

• 2011-2015 Action Plan (5 Year)
• 2011 Action Plan
• 2010 CAPER

For more information on the North Country HOME Consortium contact Matt Taylor at mtaylor@danc.org.