Adirondack Roots will provide all the same services, including homebuying assistance, housing rehabilitation, manufactured home replacement, emergency repairs, foreclosure prevention, and administration of the Section 8 housing voucher program in Essex and Clinton counties. It will also continue to administer Adirondack Community Housing Trust to develop permanently affordable housing throughout the region.

The Housing Assistance Program of Essex County Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Megan Murphy as HAPEC’s next Executive Director effective immediately. Megan is a longtime resident of Essex County and will replace interim Executive Director Alan Hipps. She will manage a $2.8 million dollar budget and $2 million dollars in assets which include 29 rental housing and commercial units.

Renters in Clinton County can now receive some rent relief if they have had a loss of income because of the covid-19 pandemic. The Clinton County Board of Legislators recently approved the reprogramming of CDBG funds to create a program that will provide rental assistance for up to three months. Current renters or those who have been made homeless by the pandemic can apply. Applicants must show a loss of income since the start of the COVID crisis, have a current income less than 80% of the area median, and currently paying more than 30% of their income toward their housing costs. Payments will be paid directly to the landlord.

Full-time residents of the Adirondacks face long commutes, limited housing options and rising prices. Accurate data about housing and market trends will help HAPEC and its partners plan future projects to bring Adirondack housing, economies, and transportation into better balance.