Livingston County Land Bank Launches $2.5M Program to Rehab Vacant Properties
One Community Update
April 1, 2026
Source: Livingston County News
The Livingston County Land Bank Corporation and Livingston County are launching the Vacant Rental Program, a New York State–funded grant initiative that puts up to $2.5 million directly toward the rehabilitation of vacant rental properties across the county.
The partnership will help bring vacant properties back into productive use as affordable housing across Livingston County, officials said in a news release.
“The goal is to restore unutilized properties to a habitable condition, improve housing stock and increase availability of options for housing in Livingston County,” Megan Crowe, executive director of the Livingston County Land Bank Corp., said in an email to The Livingston County News.
The program targets units that are sitting vacant and are uninhabitable or unmarketable without investment.
The Vacant Rental Program, funded by the New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s New York Vacant Rental Program, is designed to increase New York State’s supply of affordable housing by supporting the rehabilitation of vacant rental units and spaces. Eligible landlords can receive substantial grant funding to cover the cost of rehabilitating vacant units — bringing them up to code, back into service, and once again generating rental income. For property owners sitting on vacant units that need work, this is an opportunity to transform an underutilized property into a productive asset. Additionally, this program provides an opportunity for Livingston County residents as a substantial number of affordable housing units will become available for rent across the county, Crowe said.
The Vacant Rental Program provides grants of up to $50,000 or $75,000 per unit to rehabilitate vacant rental properties. In exchange, owners commit to renting assisted units to income-eligible tenants for 10 years. For properties receiving a $50,000 grant, the tenant’s total household income may not exceed 80% of area median income, or AMI. For a grant of $75,000, the total household income may not exceed 60% of AMI. The AMI total is based on household size and updated annually by the U.S. Department of housing and Urban Development.
“The properties must be vacant as not to displace any current residents,” said Crowe. “The program applies exclusively to units that are vacant at the time of application. An occupied unit is not eligible, and no existing tenant would be displaced or face a rent increase as a result of this program.”
The program is monitored to ensure compliance, said Crowe.
The Vacant Rental Program targets small property owners and prioritizes projects that create long-term, income-qualified rental opportunities in underserved communities.
Crowe said the Land Bank encourages “eligible owners throughout Livingston County to apply and take advantage of this state investment in our local housing stock.”
Eligible properties must be in Livingston County. Properties 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.
The Livingston County Land Bank Corp. was one of 11 not-for-profits and municipalities selected for VRP awards in this latest round of funding.
To date, the Vacant Rental Program has provided more than $56 million to transform more than 830 vacant and distressed units across New York into renovated affordable homes.
“The New York Vacant Rental Program is one of many tools being used under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership to tackle the housing crisis and increase the stock of affordable housing,” New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said in a news release.
Livingston County completed a Housing Needs Assessment and Market Analysis in 2019 and more recently has been working on a Community and Partner Readiness for Diverse Housing Development effort. Officials have met with 23 of the county’s 26 municipalities to discuss ongoing housing needs.
“From these studies, top concerns are limited senior and transitional housing, shortage of starter homes and workforce rental housing, and aging and deteriorating housing stock,” Crowe said.
The Vacant Rental Program “could make a significant different in the existing housing and improve conditions in Livingston County,” Crowe said.
Funds for the program are awarded on a rolling basis, so there is no deadline to wait for. The Livingston County Land Bank Corp. reviews applications monthly and funding is available now.
Property owners whose units are accepted into the program will work with the Land Bank to assess rehabilitation work, select from a pool of pre-qualified local contractors, and see the project through to completion. The Land Bank manages the process, so owners aren’t navigating it alone.
Properties that are currently vacant and in need of rehabilitation are a strong fit for the program. The Land Bank gives added consideration to locally owned properties and units located in the county’s villages and hamlets, and to applicants with a small portfolio.
The Livingston County Land Bank Corp. is also seeking general contractors to join the program’s pre-qualified contractor pool. Contractors who qualify will be positioned to bid on a steady pipeline of rehabilitation projects across the county as the program ramps up. Interested contractors are encouraged to submit a response to the Land Bank. For more information on contractor pre-qualification, visit the Land Bank’s website at https://tinyurl.com/37xm4wr2 or contact the LCLBC directly at (585) 243-7550.
The LCLBC will host a free public informational session for property owners and interested contractors to learn more about the program, ask questions, and receive guidance on the application process.
Attendance at an informational session is required in order to apply to the VRP program. The first two sessions are scheduled for 6 p.m. April 9 and 13 at in the Building One Livingston County Conference Center, 1 Murray Hill Drive, on Livingston County’s Murray Hill Campus in Mount Morris.
The Livingston County Land Bank Corp. will continue to hold informational sessions twice a month, providing interested property owners additional opportunities to attend. Attendance is free and open to the public.
Property owners can access the application and learn more about program eligibility, the award process, and affordability requirements by visiting the Livingston County Land Bank’s website at https://tinyurl.com/vt9putr7. Questions may also be directed to Nate Cole, principal community development specialist, at natecole@livingstoncountyny.gov.
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