GENESEO, N.Y., Aug. 18, 2025 — Livingston County is preparing to apply for funding through the Vacant Rental Program (VRP), a New York State Homes and Community Renewal initiative that supports the rehabilitation of vacant rental housing units and other eligible spaces to expand the supply of safe, quality housing for low- and moderate-income renters. The County is currently seeking qualifying property owners.
As part of the application process for grant funds, the County is seeking to identify interested property owners who may be eligible to participate in the program. The VRP assists responsible owners of small rental properties, including buildings with vacant housing units or adaptable nonresidential spaces, by helping fund the necessary repairs to bring those units back into productive use as income-qualified, long-term rentals by 2026.
If awarded, funding would provide eligible property owners up to $50,000 per unit for properties with rent capped at 80% of area median income (AMI), and up to $75,000 per unit for properties with rent capped at 60% of AMI.
“This program is a valuable opportunity to reduce blight, improve housing quality and help meet the critical need for affordable rentals across the County,” said Planning Director Megan Crowe. “We encourage any owners of vacant rental units or potentially convertible spaces to reach out and learn more about how they might benefit from the VRP.”
Eligible properties must be in the County and may include:
- One to five-unit vacant rental properties in multifamily or mixed-use buildings
- Vacant single-family rental homes
- Unused or underutilized residential or commercial space suitable for conversion into rental housing
County officials are encouraging interested property owners to contact the Livingston County Planning Department by Sept. 1, 2025, to express interest and provide basic property information. This does not commit owners to the program but helps the County determine local interest and support for its funding application.
To submit interest, please fill out the form found at: https://forms.gle/K98yFABP4Lo5F3gK7
For questions, contact the Livingston County Planning Department at 585-243-7550.
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About the Vacant Rental Program (VRP):
The VRP is a grant initiative designed to increase New York State’s supply of affordable housing by supporting the rehabilitation of vacant rental units and spaces. The program targets small property owners and prioritizes projects that create long-term, income-qualified rental opportunities in underserved communities.
About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.