Senator Charles Schumer to host housing forum at SUNY New Paltz on Feb. 7

NEW PALTZ — United States Senator Charles Schumer is hosting a conference for employers in the mid-Hudson Valley to introduce them to housing programs that can help recruit and retain employees. The conference will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at The Terrace restaurant on the SUNY New Paltz campus.

“I am delighted to welcome Senator Schumer to our campus,” said Steve Poskanzer, interim president at SUNY New Paltz, “and to host a meeting dealing with issues to strengthen the economy in the mid-Hudson region.”

The forum is targeted to senior-level representatives from businesses, non-profit organizations and local governments in the four-county area. Representatives of the homebuilding industry and housing organizations are also invited.

The programs, known as Employer-Assisted Housing, are very flexible and can be set up through Fannie Mae to suit an employer’s particular circumstances. Some of the possible benefits include providing employees with down payments or closing costs assistance, interest rate buy-downs, forgivable loans, or home-buyer education.

“One of the biggest problems employers are facing in the Hudson Valley is the rapidly escalating cost of housing, putting a home out of reach for many valuable employees,” said Schumer. “In other parts of New York, I have worked with Fannie Mae and employers from both the public and private sectors to create Employer-Assisted Housing programs, and I believe such initiatives could be one tool for easing the Hudson Valley’s housing crisis.”

In addition to Sen. Schumer, speakers will include representatives from Fannie Mae and from three employers in New York State that already are involved in Employer-Assisted Housing programs: Stewart Putnam, Executive Vice President, Unity Health System in Rochester; Peter Elkowitz, Executive Vice President, Long Island Housing Partnership; and Sandy Speiser, senior coordinator of planning and new initiatives, YAI, a non-profit social services organization in New York City.

Sponsors of the event include Fannie Mae, the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation, Orange County Partnership, Putnam County Economic Development Corporation and Ulster County Development Corporation.

There is no charge for the event, but space is limited. Reservations can be made by calling Heather Baker at Fannie Mae, (917) 322-8972 by Thursday, Feb. 6.