Mayor Kraham Seeks Interest From Non-Profit Developers to Build Homes on Vacant City Land
Block by Block Program Offers Up to $400,000 to Construct New Homes in Binghamton
(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.)—Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Monday announced his support for the sale of City-owned properties to qualified non-profit developers interested in building new affordable homes for income-qualified residents in Binghamton.
Mayor Jared M. Kraham said: "We must continue to be creative in our approach to housing, seeking out new ways to incentivize and facilitate the creation of new units. The City stands ready to support developers who want to provide much-needed affordable homeownership opportunities, build on vacant lots and leverage state grant dollars."
Binghamton is one of five communities state-wide to be selected for participation in the Block by Block program. The program provides up to $300,000 for a single-family home or $400,000 for a two-family home. Properties must be sold to households making 60% of the area median income or less.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, said: "This announcement will bolster the Block-by-Block program and provide more Binghamton families with the opportunity to own an affordable home. Encouraging redevelopment of vacant city-owned lots allows us to increase the supply of available single and two-family homes for first-time homebuyers, while at the same time revitalizing entire neighborhoods. Thank you to Mayor Kraham for his leadership and to the non-profit partners who will help bring this program to life."
Senator Lea Webb, said: "Creating more pathways to affordable housing is integral in addressing poverty and improving our communities. The "Block by Block Infill Housing" program is a continued investment in the future of Binghamton and our region. By revitalizing vacant lots and underutilized spaces, this program will create high-quality, affordable homes for families, strengthen our neighborhoods, and boost economic growth. Safe, stable housing is the foundation of a thriving community, and I'm proud to support initiatives that make homeownership more accessible while enhancing the development of our city."
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, said: "The availability of quality, affordable housing remains a top priority in our area. I supported the Block By Block Homeownership Program that was included in last year's state budget for five selected communities, including Binghamton. The program promotes first time homeownership through infill development, which revitalizes and beautifies vacant spaces in our urban neighborhoods. I encourage all eligible non-profits to look into this opportunity."
The property portfolios available for infill housing development include sites across the City of Binghamton, with clusters focused in the Downtown and First Ward neighborhoods.
Interested partners should reach out to planning@cityofbinghamton.gov for more information. Additional information from New York State can be found here.
The sale of City property requires several local approvals and would be contingent on a successful application to New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
