Housing Board weighs uses for remaining grant funds

AMENIA — The Housing Board identified two potential uses for remaining funds from a community health grant at its regular meeting on Monday, April 13.

The town’s grant writer, Christy Gast, led the discussion, explaining that the town still has $12,884 available from a $13,000 open grant awarded by the Foundation for Community Health.

The funding was originally intended to help purchase property at 74 Lake Amenia Road for what would have been the town’s first affordable housing unit, but that plan did not move forward.

The available funding now totals $12,884, due to the expense of an earlier inspection.

Town Supervisor Rosanna Hamm recently met with foundation representatives to clarify how the funds could be redirected.

Gast said the grant can now be used for professional development, technical assistance, broader community development efforts or planning related to affordable housing — a continuing need in the town.

A one to two-page proposal detailing the intended use of the funds must be submitted to the FCH by the end of April, Gast told the board, emphasizing the time constraint. If the deadline is not met, the funding will pass on to the Recreation Commission, Gast noted.

“I know you have a lot of ideas,” Gast said, offering to work with the board on the proposal. She said she would need a clear description of how the funds would be used, along with a timeline and detailed budget.

After much discussion, the board agreed to two proposals that would fit FCH guidelines: to create a manual to define the duties and guidelines for serving as a member of the Housing Board, and to create a handbook clarifying the necessary steps for gaining approval to construct an Accessory Dwelling Unit. The latter is an option that appeals to several local residents, but the regulations seem confusing to them.

The ADU Handbook could be included on the town’s webpage for easy access and low cost, Gast suggested.