Pine Plains, Stanford, and six other Dutchess County municipalities will receive a combined $6 million in state funding to develop accessory dwelling units (ADUs), an effort aimed at easing the region’s housing shortage. The funding comes from the latest round of the state’s Plus One ADU Program, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal and the Housing Trust Fund Corporation. Hudson River Housing, a nonprofit organization, will oversee the distribution and implementation of the funds.
“Hudson River Housing is thrilled to have been awarded the Plus One ADU Program grant to support the development of accessory dwelling units in eight partner municipalities in Dutchess County,” Hudson River Housing’s Executive Director Christa Hines said in a statement to the Herald. “This funding is a significant step towards increasing housing opportunities while preserving the character and sustainability of our communities.”
Announced on Feb. 14, the funding will also support ADU development in Amenia, Beacon, North East, Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, and Union Vale. Local officials will now collaborate with program administrators to finalize grant agreements before work begins.
For years, Northern Dutchess County has struggled with an increasingly unaffordable housing market. The Plus One ADU Program is part of a five-year, $85 million state initiative designed to create more affordable housing options across the state.
“The Plus One ADU program is an ideal tool for communities across New York state who share our goal of ending the housing crisis and increasing the supply of affordable housing,” New York State Homes and Community Renewal spokesperson, Shachar Roloson, told the Herald. “The program provides opportunities for low-to-moderate income households who wish to build a new ADU, or improve an existing unit, to provide a home for family members or create a reliable source of rental income. We look forward to working with all our nonprofit partners, including Hudson River Housing, as they administer the program in communities across the state.”
This award marks a turnaround for Dutchess County, which missed out on ADU funding in 2024 when neither the county nor its municipalities applied. Local town board members, housing advocates, and legislators pushed for a different outcome this time, emphasizing the program’s potential to ease the region’s housing shortage. “This $6 million grant will help address Dutchess County’s housing and affordability crisis, and I’m proud to have played a role in making it happen,” said Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago (D-19).
“I first learned that the county had declined to apply for these state funds thanks to reporting from The New Pine Plains Herald,” Drago said. “When I saw the opportunity slipping away again, I pushed for action, calling out the missed chances and rallying our towns, state representatives, and Hudson River Housing to step in. Accessory dwelling units are a critical first step toward increasing housing options in our rural communities. I look forward to seeing these funds put to work for Dutchess County residents who need them most.”
In a Dec. 5, 2024, memo to the county Legislature, Eoin Wrafter, Commissioner of Planning and Development, informed lawmakers that Dutchess County would not apply for the third round of funding from the Plus One ADU program, citing limited staffing capacity and the prioritization of other housing initiatives. “Dutchess County has not pursued earlier rounds of the Plus One ADU program as our housing planners have been fully engaged in administering several other successful housing development programs, including our CDBG, HOME, and Housing Trust Fund programs,” Wrafter wrote. “The Planning Department does not currently have the staff capacity required to support the ADU program.” However, he encouraged municipalities to apply independently, noting that county-level participation was not required. Seizing the opportunity, Drago and other advocates rallied local governments, secured letters of endorsement, and ultimately helped bring in the $6 million award.
According to state guidelines, an ADU is a small home with its own kitchen and bathroom, built on the same property as a primary residence. These units can be standalone structures or converted spaces such as barns or garages. For homeowners, ADUs can generate additional income, provide housing for aging family members or caregivers, and offer an affordable living option for people, young and old.
Stanford Town Supervisor Wendy Burton called the award a “tremendous opportunity”
but noted that much remains unknown about how the program will be implemented. “I’m thrilled that we were able to qualify, and now I’m waiting to learn all the logistics,” she told the Herald. “We still need to understand how the whole process works in order to implement it in Stanford. But I’m just so excited about this opportunity.”
Pine Plains Town Supervisor Brian Walsh also expressed enthusiasm for the grant award. “Hudson River Housing stepped up and will manage the projects, including the grants and everything involved,” he said. “The town submitted a letter of recommendation to support Hudson River Housing in securing this funding. They did a great job getting the grant, and I look forward to moving forward and making progress.”
The program has already seen success in other parts of the Hudson Valley. Last year, Columbia County secured $2 million for ADU development, with housing nonprofit RUPCO administering the funds. Ulster County, which participated in the program’s first round, has helped homeowners access up to $125,000 each to build or renovate ADUs. With municipalities in Dutchess County now participating, officials and housing advocates hope the program will help alleviate pressure on the local housing market. However, municipal leaders acknowledge that significant work remains to ensure a smooth rollout.