SCHENECTADY, N.Y.  — The Capital Region Land Bank has received a competitively awarded $2 million grant from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) to continue efforts to transform vacant and abandoned property creating quality housing and boosting neighborhoods in Schenectady County and the City of Amsterdam.

“We want to express our thanks to Governor Hochul and New York State HCR for this essential grant funding that will continue our efforts to fight back against blighted properties and create much needed quality housing for our residents,” said Richard Ruzzo, Chair of the Capital Region Land Bank and a member of the Schenectady County Legislature. “The $2 million grant is the maximum award available to New York State Land Banks. We are proud to have the State recognize our collective efforts to improve our communities.”

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “New York State Homes and Community Renewal is proud to support the Capital Region Land Bank’s continued efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and increase housing supply. This $2 million grant from HCR’s innovative Land Bank Initiative will help eliminate blight, transform vacant properties, and stimulate economic development in Schenectady County and the City of Amsterdam. The Capital Region Land Bank’s impressive track record of turning distressed, abandoned buildings into more than 250 quality affordable homes thus far, is a model for how targeted investments can strengthen communities and improve quality of life for residents.”

The Land Bank will use the $2 million grant to support new and renovated housing and economic development projects in the City of Schenectady, the City of Amsterdam and towns and villages in Schenectady County.

To date, the Capital Region Land Bank has won more than $12 million in grant funding to help remove blight and assist in community revitalization.  This has supported efforts to demolish over 200 long vacant or abandoned buildings, renovate an additional 33 structures and create more than 250 units of new quality affordable housing.

The Land Bank is administered by the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority and is part of Schenectady County’s unified economic development team.