OGDENSBURG — The Ogdensburg Land Bank is $210,357 richer following an award from New York State’s Land Bank Initiative.

The funding, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday, will help eliminate blight, increase housing supply, assist local economic development efforts, spur the availability of homeownership opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities that have experienced disinvestment.  

"New York's Land Bank Initiative has already allowed us to preserve, restore, and revitalize rundown properties across the state, and we are excited to be extending the opportunity this year," the governor said. "This program will empower local nonprofits - the people that know their communities best - to help increase homeownership while repairing the fabric of their neighborhoods." 

The awards complement Governor Hochul's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York State, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.  

The grants were awarded on a competitive basis through a Request for Applications issued by New York State Homes and Community Renewal. New York's land banks were established in 2012 with passage of the New York State Land Bank Act. Land banks are local public authorities designed to acquire, stabilize, assemble, and facilitate the redevelopment of blighted and abandoned properties in order for them to be returned to productive use. There are currently 26 land banks across the state.