According to the Chronicle-Express, New York’s Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Program that helps people replace aging mobile homes with energy-efficient manufactured homes may be eliminated. MHProNews.com has learned Gov. Andrew Cuomo says it will save the state $12 million. The Keuka Housing Council (KHC) in Yates County has been helping people with low-to-moderate incomes find and maintain affordable housing, and owns 30 apartment units in the county. KHC executive director Kathy Disbrow says if the budget cuts go through there will be no one to administer the two million in annual grants the agency has received over a 20 year period. “Many of our grants require 10 to 15 years of monitoring and there are no funds attached to the grants to pay for that monitoring,” she explains. “Over the next two years, KHC plans to move over $2 million of grant funds into the Yates communities for first time homebuyers, repairs on houses and replacing old trailers with new manufactured homes. These grant not only create jobs, they increase real estate sales, improve our communities and improve living conditions for our residents.” Manufactured housing recipients have to provide the down payment, permits, and preparation of the site. The agency recently received funding to assist 52 home buyers purchase their first homes. If the funding is cut, there will be no assistance.
