SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. (BCNI) announced today $3.75 million in grant funding from the State’s new Vacant Rental Improvement Program. BCNI partnered with the Capital Region Land Bank and the City of Schenectady to win the third largest grant in New York State and the only award in the Capital Region.

Matthew Nelson, CEO of BCNI said, “We want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul and her administration, including NYS HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, for providing this grant to help BCNI and the Land Bank work with the City to take vacant buildings and turn them into quality housing. This is core to BCNI’s mission, and we are excited to use this funding to rehab 60 apartments turning them into homes that Schenectady residents can be proud of.”

Richard Ruzzo, Chair of the Capital Region Land Bank said, “This program focuses on helping to rehab smaller buildings with up to five apartments, so it is a great fit for Schenectady. We were pleased to work with BCNI to apply for these funds. Only eighteen organizations statewide received grants, so this is a significant win for our community.”

Mayor Gary McCarthy said, “I want to thank Governor Hochul for this large grant award that will help us transform vacant buildings into beautiful new housing for our neighborhoods and our residents.”

More about BCNI: https://bcnihousing.org/
Read the Governor’s Announcement: https://hcr.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-awards-40-million-rehabilitate-600-vacant-and-distressed-apartments-and