Who We Are: Introduction

Rural Ulster Preservation Company, Inc. (RUPCO) was established in 1981 with a purpose of creating housing opportunities for low and moderate income households in Ulster County.

RUPCO has responded to the housing needs in the community by providing an array of housing services, programs and projects which are outlined below.

1. Rental Assistance - Since 1983 rental assistance has been made available on a county-wide basis through the (Section 8) Housing Choice Voucher Program. We currently manage 1,277 units which results in $6.6 million in transfer payments to private landlords on behalf of County residents each year.

Targeted populations served also include:

• 42 Mainstream units specifically to assist disabled households.
• 42 Family Unification units specifically to serve households in danger of losing their children or who are being reunited with their family.
• Administration of a Family Self Sufficiency Program which will aid rental assistance households in improving their economic standing and ending dependence on public subsidies.

2. Single Family Rehabilitation - Financial assistance has been provided to the very low income households through the federal HOME Program, NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal’s RESTORE program, the Affordable Homeownership Program and the Rural Development Administration’s Section 504 program. Also, RUPCO has administered HUD Community Development Block Grant programs for the elderly and non-elderly. A total of 281 home rehab projects have been completed to date.

3. Counseling - RUPCO is a certified HUD Housing Counseling Agency and provides case management and financial assistance for low income tenants so that they may obtain or maintain permanent housing. Mortgage counseling is also available for first-time homebuyers or owners facing foreclosure. Reverse mortgage, home equity, and debt consolidation counseling are also provided. An average of 650 households are handled annually. In the period from 7/1/04 through 6/30/05, 210 Homebuyer households were counseled for a total mortgage value of $1,780,000. In the same period, 21 households received default counseling and preserved mortgages valuing $1,114,000.

4. Single Family Homeownership - RUPCO offers housing counseling and has over $1.6 million for down payment and closing cost assistance for new homebuyers. Over the last four years, RUPCO has assisted 243 households with HOME and Community Development Block Grant and New York State Affordable Housing funds in the acquisition of their home. Also, RUPCO is a Youthbuild Partner and provides eligibility and counseling services to new homebuyers.

5. Savings and Education Program -RUPCO initiated the Federal Home Loan Bank’s First Home Club Program in July of 1998. We are in partnership with Ulster Savings, HSBC, M&T, Rondout Savings, Provident, and the Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union banks currently. The First Home Club is a savings and homeownership education program. The homeownership education consists of 12 hours of training covering such topics as: credit and budgeting counseling, pre-qualification, working with a real estate professional, retaining an attorney, home inspections and title issues. We have had 109 First Home Club members close and 12 are in the mortgage application process at present. There are currently 420 enrolled households.

6. Multifamily Rehabilitation - RUPCO has administered Community Development Block Grant Programs, HUD 312, Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation, Rental Rehabilitation and the Federal Home Loan Bank Rehabilitation Program on a county-wide basis. Such programs are targeted at the private sector to stimulate their long-term involvement in providing decent, affordable housing. To date, 130 investor owned properties have been assisted. The programs are typically used in conjunction with federal low income and historic tax credits. The programs have leveraged from 3:1 to 4:1 in private dollars to public subsidy.

7. Newly Constructed or Substantially Rehabilitated Housing - Through the various state and federal programs, including the NYS Housing Trust Fund, NYS Housing Finance Agency, NYS Office of Mental Health, Rural Area Revitalization Program, the Homeless Housing Assistance Program, Farmers Home Administration Rural Rental Loan Program as well as private financing, RUPCO has purchased or facilitated housing in key locations/structures that would not have succeeded typically as private development. A total of 120 have been completed, including 112 residential units and 8 storefront office spaces.

8. Management - RUPCO currently owns and manages 6 rental properties with 71 apartments and is the general managing partner of Park Heights, a 40 apartment senior property, for a total of 112 units. Additionally, RUPCO manages a 66 unit senior property, Jenny’s Garden. RUPCO’s property portfolio is spread out across Ulster County. RUPCO’s management services include program regulation compliance as well as sound operational control and maintenance.

9. HIV/AIDS Support - RUPCO is recognized as a HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons With Aids) provider and currently provides rental and emergency assistance to 17 households diagnosed as HIV positive or with AIDS. As a housing organization, RUPCO coordinates the provision of additional client services as the need is requested or becomes apparent including personal care, housekeeping, food preparation and shopping and other supportive services. RUPCO has an extensive community network with access to agency and private charity support as well as staff experienced in the coordination of services.

STRENGTHS OF RUPCO

RUPCO is celebrating 26 years of taking a broad approach to the housing and community development in Ulster County. In that time we have established a track record of successful outcomes, created strong relationships within our community, and have grown our programs to meet the changing needs of Ulster County.

Reputation: The reputation of RUPCO has grown to a national level, as evidenced by the support of national funding organizations such as NeighborWorks® America (Neighborhood Reinvestment Program) and Rural LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation).

Successful Outcomes: RUPCO has achieved success through careful analysis of its projects, prudent use of resources, attentive management of its properties and operations, and adaptation of its programs to meet the needs of its clients.

Breadth of Programs: RUPCO identifies and anticipates the changing needs of our community and adapt our programs, services, and available funding whenever possible.

Partnership/Alliance Relationships: RUPCO has both pursued and been sought after for partnership and alliance relationships in developing creative solutions to existing problems for clients. NeighborWorks® America and Rural LISC are examples of such relationships. RUPCO also interacts with a network of services within the Ulster County community, such as Gateway Community Industries, Ulster–Greene ARC, and Mental Health Association of Ulster County, for clients who have needs beyond those of housing.

Experience: RUPCO’s staff of twenty seven is experienced in working with people in need, and is certified and trained in those areas required. In addition, the organization maintains a strong longevity record amongst its staff, reflective of the compassion and diligence with which the staff members pursue their work.

Central Location: RUPCO is located in the heart of Kingston, accessible to many individuals through public transportation. Staff members travel to outlying areas of the county as much as possible to work with clients and review cases. Board membership is also reflective of the geographic region served.

Financial Stability: RUPCO adheres to its policies for financial management based upon FASB guidelines, and carefully maintains a positive cash flow within its annual and capital budgets. Pursuit of new programs and projects follows a careful review of the project and operational costs involved.