Amenia Housing Board hears details of workforce housing proposal

AMENIA —  Plans for workforce housing to be built on rear land across from the Town Hall on Route 22 were preliminarily reviewed at the Amenia Housing Board meeting on Thursday, July 20, all in preparation for another public presentation to the Amenia Town Board at its next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 3.

Representing Hudson River Housing (HRH), the owner and developer of the more-than-15-acre property, were Mary Linge, vice president of real estate development, and Javier Gomez, director of community development and impact.

Introducing HRH, Linge reported that the organization has developed 1,528 units of housing, half of which are in Poughkeepsie with the other half located in other towns. Locally, five units of rental housing are under its management in Millerton.

“We want to address the needs In Amenia,” Linge said.

Gomez reviewed statistics in Amenia, indicating that 35% of households are burdened by housing costs. Such families are paying more than 30% of their monthly gross incomes on housing.

Although HRH would continue to own the land in the new workforce development, home ownership would be possible for working families who meet income requirements. There would be seven duplex units to house single families, who would be able to gain rental income from the other half of their duplex. The duplex rental would provide the income to pay their mortgage and build equity. A homeowner’s association would oversee duplex property management by selecting an agent.

Each duplex would consist of one three-bedroom and two-bath unit, and an adjoining two-bedroom and 1.5 bath unit. Each would have a driveway, a one-car garage and a yard.

Also planned for the property is a seven-unit apartment building that would be available for workforce renters. Each apartment would have one bedroom. HRH would manage these rental apartments.

Envisioned in the drawings is a looped road serving the homes and a closed loop trail system for walking.

Now in the public comment phase that will continue through September, public approvals are projected to take until January 2024, with funding to be secured between February and August 2024. Construction could begin in August 2024, and be completed in April 2026, according to a projected schedule.

Comments from housing board members suggested points needing clarification, the configuration of the loop road and the possibility of an access road at the rear of the property.

To learn more or to offer comments on the plan, go to www.husdonriverhousing.org or attend the next town board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 3, at the Town Hall, beginning at 7 p.m.