Community Development

Through the creation of cost-appropriate, quality housing, Hudson River Housing has spearheaded several neighborhood revitalization initiatives in the City of Poughkeepsie.

Community Stabilization

In the wake of the foreclosure crisis, we are working to ensure that neighborhoods in the City of Poughkeepsie do not see a wave of vacancies or neglect that could diminish the progress that has been made to improve conditions in these areas. Our work to survey neighborhoods and return foreclosed properties to their viable use will help reduce the consequences of the foreclosure crisis in our area.

HRH has received $2.5 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding through the NYS Housing Finance Agency. HRH will use the funding to purchase one- and two-family homes and multi-family properties that have been foreclosed and are currently vacant. The properties will be renovated and either resold or maintained by HRH as affordable rental housing. All of the properties will be located in the City of Poughkeepsie in areas which have been given a foreclosure risk score of 10+ (on a scale of one to ten) by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding will also allow HRH to implement a specialized education program for those interested in purchasing a foreclosed property, and small loans for down payment and renovation costs associated with buying a foreclosure. Homes and counseling services will be available through our NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center of Dutchess County

Neighborhood Revitalization

Middle Main Revitalization

Middle Main Revitalization is a new initiative focusing on improving housing and neighborhood conditions in the City of Poughkeepsie. The initiative is targeted towards the Main Street corridor between Academy Street and Pershing Avenue. HRH is working with residents, community leaders, businesses and government to identify and implement comprehensive solutions. Open community meetings are held regularly. Download a meeting flyer.

Social Networking

Join our social networking site for residents and others interested in the future of Middle Main. Sign up at middlemain.ning.com.

Download a map of Middle Main (.pdf)
Download a list of ways you can participate in Middle Main revitalization efforts (.pdf)

Anchor-Based Neighborhood Revitalization

In 2000, we launched its first dedicated community development initiative through ABNR I. We selected a two-square block area in the City of Poughkeepsie that was in desperate need of improvement, centered around our large scale historic renovation of Garden Street’s Queen Row. After undertaking a survey of conditions in the neighborhood, we began systematically acquiring and renovating vacant and blighted properties into quality, affordable housing. Through a decade of work, we have built or improved 19 homeowner units, 40 apartments, 12 emergency beds, and 4 commercial spaces in these two blocks alone.

City of Poughkeepsie Main Street Program

Through the City of Poughkeepsie Main Street Program, we are working with property owners towards the economic, cultural, and social recovery of Poughkeepsie’s Main Street corridor. Acting as the Local Program Administer of the New York Main Street Program we provide grants to property owners to undertake building and façade renovations that help restore and maintain the historic character of downtown Poughkeepsie’s Main Street and contribute to economic stabilization.

City of Poughkeepsie Main Street Program I

Our first City of Poughkeepsie Main Street Program provided funding to three projects located in scattered locations in the Main Street corridor. The first, Behrends Court, is a prominent mixed-use project located on the 300 block of Main Street. This historically-sensitive renovation incorporated state-of-the-art green building techniques, and is now home to 40 apartments and nine first-floor commercial spaces. The second, Barrett ClayWorks, is a community arts space located at 485 Main Street that houses artists’ lofts, open studio space, a group education room, and a small gallery. The final project undertaken through City of Poughkeepsie Main Street Program I was 291 Mill Street, a Victorian-era building, once a former residence, that was completed historically renovated. The building now serves as a home for our NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center of Dutchess County, with two affordable apartments on the upper floors.

City of Poughkeepsie Main Street Program II

Our current City of Poughkeepsie Main Street Program focuses on the Upper Mill Street National Historic District, located along Mill Street between Civic Center Plaza and Catharine Street. We have selected five property owners to receive building and façade grants to improve their buildings in this area

Housing Development