Governor Hochul Helps Unlock Housing Through $225 Million in Water Infrastructure Grants

Certified Pro-Housing Communities to Receive Support Through New State Investment for Drinking Water, Sewer and Stormwater Projects

Continues Governor Hochul’s Commitment to Build More Housing to Address Affordability

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of the $225 million Clean Water for Housing program to help municipalities build the water infrastructure needed to support housing development. By lifting critical financial barriers, Governor Hochul is helping communities advance shovel-ready water quality projects that will lay the foundation for sustainable growth. The program builds on the Governor’s comprehensive housing and clean water agendas that are investing billions in local projects to tackle the housing crisis and improve water quality while minimizing costs for families and businesses.

“No family should be unable to buy a home because their community’s water and sewer systems can’t support housing growth,” Governor Hochul said. “With $225 million in new funding, we’re helping communities make critical improvements that unlock housing growth, strengthen local economies and give more New Yorkers the opportunity to find a home they can afford.”

Governor Hochul has made $175 million available for projects statewide, with an additional $50 million specifically for rural municipalities, where aging or inadequate water systems can pose significant obstacles to development. These grants will help communities address their water infrastructure needs, expand access to essential services and establish the systems needed to support future housing growth.

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is accepting applications for proposed drinking water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure projects necessary to promote housing development, improvements or rehabilitation. Grants are available to municipalities certified through the State’s Pro-Housing Communities Program and eligible counties.

Governor Hochul signed Executive Order 30 in July 2023 creating the Pro-Housing Community Program, which recognizes and rewards municipalities actively working to unlock their housing potential and encourages others to follow suit. Under the Pro-Housing Community Program, which is administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), local governments that are taking action to support housing growth to address the housing shortage can apply to become certified. After becoming certified, localities have exclusive access to up to nearly $1 billion in discretionary State funding. Since the launch of the Pro-Housing Communities Program, these State funds have supported the creation of up to 20,000 more homes statewide. To date, more than 460 communities across New York have been certified. Communities can learn more about the Pro-Housing Communities Program, including how to become certified, by visiting the Pro-Housing Communities Program website.

Applications and complete eligibility information are available on EFC’s website. Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all the available grant funds are awarded.