BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- More than 600 communities will be eligible for a share of a $225 million state grant for water infrastructure and housing improvements, but a number of St. Lawrence County municipalities currently do not qualify for the new program. 

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the Clean Water for Housing program Oct. 23, saying the program will help "lift critical financial barriers" as communities look to advance shovel-ready water quality projects. 

But to qualify, municipalities must be certified as a pro-housing community. 

To date, only the village of Massena and town of Gouverneur are certified communities.

The town of Massena, village of Potsdam, town and village of Canton, town of Colton, town of Morristown, town of Hammond, the village of Waddington and village of Gouverneur have submitted letters of intent. 

Becoming a pro-housing community is a rather straightforward task as well, with towns and villages needing to pass a resolution declaring the municipality as such. Clerks would then file the appropriate paperwork with the state to become a certified municipality, with the state Homes and Community Renewal department approving applicants. 

 “No family should be unable to buy a home because their community’s water and sewer systems can’t support housing growth,” Governor Hochul said. “With $225 million in new funding, we’re helping communities make critical improvements that unlock housing growth, strengthen local economies and give more New Yorkers the opportunity to find a home they can afford.”

Of the funding available in the program, $175 million is available statewide, with a smaller $50 million pot set aside specifically for rural municipalities. 

It has become commonplace throughout the North Country to hear of municipalities battling with aging water infrastructure. 

In recent years, the town of Potsdam, City of Ogdensburg, town and village of Massena, as well as the village of Waddington have undertaken projects or approved bonding to make necessary upgrades. 

The state program will allow for further development on such projects, as the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) accepts applications for proposed drinking water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure projects necessary to promote housing development, improvements or rehabilitation.

The Pro-Housing Community Program was created when Hochul took executive action in 2023, creating a program she said would reward municipalities that are actively working to unlock their housing potential. 

Applications and complete eligibility information are available on EFC’s website. Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all the available grant funds are awarded.

Help St. Lawrence County Stay Connected!

We’re glad you read this article reported by the staff of NorthCountryNow.com.

If you haven’t done so already, please consider subscribing to ensure you have full access to all the news and info about St. Lawrence County.

Your subscriptions make it possible for us to provide trustworthy local news, promote our many community events, and encourage community dialogue.

Please click here to subscribe today!