August 6, 2026 Housing and Transportation

The Ulster County Legislature's Housing and Transportation Committee met on August 6, 2026, to discuss several key procurement and budget matters related to housing and transit. The meeting featured a detailed presentation by Habitat for Humanity's executive director on affordable housing challenges and their ongoing projects in Ulster County, highlighting the high cost of homeownership and the need for subsidized starter homes. The committee then considered multiple resolutions involving significant federal, state, and county funding allocations totaling approximately $9.8 million for transit capital projects, including electric buses and infrastructure. Additionally, the committee approved contract amendments totaling several million dollars with Family of Woodstock to address emergency homeless shelter services, reflecting a sharp increase in demand and associated costs. These contracts include funding for motel placements and operational support, with discussions emphasizing the complexity of managing reimbursements and the unsustainable nature of current emergency housing expenditures. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a local law for a partial real property tax exemption and reminders for committee members to review a housing study. Overall, the session focused heavily on funding approvals and contract management to support affordable housing and transit initiatives in the county.