Pleasant Valley has joined Pine Plains, Stanford, and six other Dutchess County municipalities in a state-funded initiative aimed at easing the region’s housing crisis by supporting the creation of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, on residential properties.
The expansion was confirmed this week by Hudson River Housing, the nonprofit administering a $6 million grant awarded through the state’s Plus One ADU Program in February. The program, launched in 2023 by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), provides funding to municipalities and nonprofits to assist homeowners in building or improving ADUs on their properties.
“Pleasant Valley will be the ninth participating municipality,” said Jordan Schinella, community development manager at Hudson River Housing. “We’re still waiting for our contract with HCR to be finalized, which we hope will happen by the end of the month. Until then, we can’t begin formal outreach.”
In addition to Pleasant Valley, participating municipalities include Pine Plains, Stanford, Amenia, Beacon, North East, Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, and Union Vale.
Schinella said the next six months will be focused on program administration, including setting up logistics and outreach infrastructure. New construction is likely to commence in 2026, according to program officials.
“My suggestion is that anyone who already knows what they want to do should begin planning now,” Schinella said. “Start thinking about designs. Shovel-ready projects will move faster through the process than those starting from scratch.”
The Plus One ADU Program defines eligible homeowners as being middle or low income and living in 1- to 4-unit properties that serve as their primary residence. Second homes and short-term rental properties are ineligible. Homeowners must earn no more than 100% of the area median income, which in Dutchess County is currently $114,800 for a family of four, with adjustments based on household size.
According to HCR, ADUs may include detached backyard cottages, garage or barn conversions, basement apartments, or other small units located on the same lot as the main home.
An interest form is now available through Hudson River Housing for residents interested in pursing funding. The form is not an application but allows the organization to gauge demand and communicate directly with prospective participants. Those who complete the form will be among the first to receive application materials once the program launches.
The program is farther along in neighboring counties. Columbia and Ulster are participating through separate grants administered by Rural Ulster Preservation Corporation (RUPCO). In Ulster, some homeowners have received up to $125,000 to build or renovate ADUs.
More information about the program and eligibility requirements is available at hcr.ny.gov/adu.