Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $240 million in tax credits and subsidies was awarded to create and preserve 1,800 affordable, modern homes in 27 housing developments across New York. 

The awarded projects include housing with supportive services, accessibility features, and incorporate sustainability measures to keep costs down for residents and help address climate change. Developments provide homes for people of all ages and phases of life, strengthen communities, and further local economic development efforts. The funding is part of Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

“The housing crisis won’t solve itself. If we want New York to remain a place people can afford to call home, we have to act with urgency,” Governor Hochul said. “That means building more housing in every region and making targeted investments to expand affordable homes for people of all ages and phases of life including working families, seniors, and people living with disabilities.”

The awards are provided through New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s annual Low-Income Housing Tax Credit competitive funding round. Financing includes $66 million from its Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs and $176 million in subsidy loans. Tax credit and subsidy information for each project is available here. When combined with private funding, the projects are expected to generate $1 billion in overall investment.

More than half of the awarded projects will also receive support from agencies including the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Empire State Development, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Mental Health — demonstrating that housing affordability is a priority across all sectors.

New This Year

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) updated its Design Guidelines and scoring incentives in 2025 to increase accessibility. The updated guidelines prioritized projects that included a larger proportion of accessible units, resulting in a 33 percent increase in fully accessible units for those with mobility or hearing or visual impairments.

The projects will all achieve high levels of carbon reduction, with some projects receiving funding through HCR’s Multifamily Solar Program, which funds the installation of on-site solar arrays, as well as some projects receiving funding for electrification upgrades through HCR’s Clean Energy Initiative. Both programs are funded in partnership with NYSERDA. These investments complement New York’s mission to address climate change by decreasing emissions by 85 percent by 2050.

 “New York is committed to building more affordable housing and this $240 million investment will provide 1,800 individuals and families the opportunity to find modern and sustainable homes they can afford in every region of the state,” New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “These projects show that our commitment to housing goes hand-in-glove with our commitment to the environment and to improving accessibility. We applaud Governor Hochul for being laser-focused on making our communities more affordable and livable for all New Yorkers.”

“Every family in New York deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” Senator Charles Schumer said,  “I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered millions to help preserve or build 1,800 homes in every corner of the Empire State. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation, so we must build more housing for working people to bring down those high prices. I applaud Governor Hochul’s work increasing access to housing for working families in New York, and I will continue working to deliver federal resources to develop more affordable housing.”

 “Too many New Yorkers are being forced out of their communities because of the affordable housing crisis,” Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said. “We must move faster to build the housing people can actually afford. I’m grateful this investment will help create and preserve 1,800 affordable homes across New York, and I’ll keep fighting to expand the housing supply so every New Yorker can find a safe and affordable place to call home.”

 “This major announcement represents a critical step forward in our efforts to ensure that every New Yorker has a safe, affordable place to call home,” Representative Paul Tonko said. “By investing nearly $240 million in affordable housing construction, including more than $66 million from the Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, New York State and its partners will be able to create and preserve 1,800 more affordable homes in 27 housing developments across our state. Importantly, each of these projects will include accessibility and sustainability features that will allow them to house New Yorkers of all ages while also helping to address the climate crisis. I’m thrilled to celebrate this significant infusion of funding for affordable housing in our state, and I’m eager to see how these investments will spur growth in our communities and bring security for our families.”

The awarded projects are:

Capital Region

$6.8 million for SCAP Campus Apartments in Schenectady – Construction of a 60-unit affordable and supportive housing development. The project is planned to be co-located with a separate childcare and family resource center. Developed by DePaul.

$7.5 million for Excelsior Apartments in Saratoga Springs – Construction of a 50-unit affordable and supportive housing project. The project will include on-site solar funded through the Multifamily Solar Program. Developed by Beacon Communities.

$9.6 million for The Finley in Saratoga Springs – Construction of a 71-unit affordable and supportive housing development. The project includes a community building with amenities and offices for on-site services. Developed by Rise Housing and Support Services.

An air quality alert was issued for most of the capital region, including Saratoga County after Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) monitors picked up increased levels of Fine Particulate Matter (PM). 

The alert was issued on February 18 and at time of publication, it was set to expire at midnight. It covered much of the state — from the New York City Metro area up to the Capital Region. 

The air quality was listed at 139 by the EPA, making it unhealthy for sensitive groups. The main pollutant listed by both the EPA and DEC was fine particle matter, defined by DEC as any matter that is 2.5 microns or less. Monitors detected this level to be around 115 parts per million. 

Due to the reduced air quality, the DEC recommended those with health conditions, children and the elderly postpone outdoor activities while the alert was in effect. According to the DEC, increased levels of fine particle matter can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath.

It’s unclear what caused the increase in fine particle matter. Past air quality alerts in the area have come due to Canadian wildfires. 

A Corinth man has been arrested for armed robbery after he threatened two people at knifepoint. 

James Sheil, 35, of Corinth was arrested on Feb. 17 by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office in the Town of Wilton. Sheil is charged with felony first degree robbery, felony fourth degree grand larceny, two counts of second-degree menacing, fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon and petit larceny. 

 According to the Sheriff’s Office, Shiel is alleged to have threatened two people with a knife in order to rob them. During the robbery, he struggled with one of the victims and cut their wallet out of their sweater pocket using a pair of scissors. The wallet contained a credit card and cash. 

Shiel was arraigned in the Wilton Town Court and placed in the Saratoga County Jail pending further proceedings. 

Saratoga County closed its “services building” on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, due to a gas odor in the building. 

The Departments of Social Services, Aging and Youth Services, and Workforce Development were affected by this closure.  At time of publication, the building was expected to reopen for regular business hours on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The odor was due to a mechanical failure with one of the building’s HVAC units. That HVAC unit has been taken offline for repair. 

The New York State Police have arrested Shayne F. Vaccaro, age 22, in connection with a stabbing that occurred on February 15, 2026, at a business in the Shops of Malta, Town of Malta, Saratoga County.

At approximately 10:19 p.m., a State Trooper was clearing a traffic stop on State Route 67 when Vaccaro ran toward the patrol vehicle, stating that he had just stabbed someone. He was immediately taken into custody without incident.

Additional patrols responded to a nearby restaurant, where they located a 34-year-old male employee suffering from stab wounds to his chest and arm. A Saratoga County Sheriff’s Deputy applied a tourniquet, and EMS provided medical treatment before transporting the victim to Albany Medical Center. He is listed in stable condition and is expected to survive.

The investigation determined that Vaccaro allegedly waited outside the restaurant and attacked the victim as he exited after his shift. The knife used in the incident was r   ecovered and processed by the State Police Forensic Investigation Unit.

Vaccaro has been charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class B Felony). He was arraigned early the next morning and remanded to the Saratoga County Jail on $200,000 cash bail or $400,000 bond.

The investigation remains ongoing.

This February, the Saratoga Senior Center is opening its doors on a winter Saturday with a community-wide Cabin Fever Open House in partnership with the Saratoga YMCA, alongside Sipping for Seniors, a fundraiser that turns a night out downtown into direct support for the Saratoga Senior Center’s programs promoting connection, independence, and well-being for older adults in Saratoga Springs. 

Whether you’re a longtime member or simply curious about what the Center has to offer, February is the perfect time to stop by, stay active, and reconnect. 

Saratoga Senior Center Cabin Fever Open House 

Saturday, February 21 | 9 AM–1 PM | FREE & Open to the Public in partnership with the Saratoga YMCA  

Shake off the winter chill and spend a Saturday exploring two of Saratoga’s community hubs.  The Cabin Fever Open House welcomes current members and newcomers alike to tour both facilities, try sample classes, and enjoy a lively, welcoming day designed to encourage movement, creativity, and connection. Additional activities will be announced ahead of the event. 

Highlights include: 

• Facility tours of the Saratoga Senior Center and Saratoga YMCA  

• Intro Spanish class, Zumba, resistance band training, and creative stamping 

• Live music by Jeff Brisbin 

• Drop-in tech assistance

• Tarot card readings with Mary Shimp 

• Stewart’s Ice Cream and refreshments from the Center’s Refresh Kitchen 

Perfect for anyone looking to stay active, meet new people, or simply get out of the house this winter. 

Sipping for Seniors Fundraiser 

Thursday, February 26 | 11 AM–9:30 PM | Bailey’s at 37 Phila Street 

Support the Saratoga Senior Center while enjoying a bite and beverage out downtown. Sipping for Seniors is a community give-back partnership that turns a night out downtown into direct support for the Saratoga Senior Center’s programs promoting connection, independence, and well-being for older adults in Saratoga Springs. 

Guests who dine at Bailey’s on February 26 will help support the Center through 20% of all food and beverage sales donated throughout the day, along with 100% of bartender tips from 5–9:30  PM. Guests are encouraged to mention the fundraiser to their server and bartenders. 

February Educational Presentations 

All presentations are FREE and open to the public. RSVP required unless noted.  

National Senior Independence Month Panel 

Monday, February 23 | 1:30 PM 

A special panel discussion focused on independence, health, and aging well, featuring local experts and advocates. 

Weatherization & Services for Seniors in Saratoga County 

Tuesday, February 24 | 1:30 PM 

Learn about local programs that help reduce household costs and support aging in  place. 

Sellers Seminar 

Presented by The Scott Varley Team 

Thursday, February 26 | 3–4:30 PM & 6–7:30 PM 

A seller-focused seminar offering practical guidance on planning, preparing, and 

navigating the home-selling process, with insights from experts in inspections, real  estate law, lending, staging, and handyman services. Food and light refreshments provided.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of EXPRESS NY (Expediting Processes and Regulations to Enable Streamlined Services), a new statewide effort to make government work better by tackling outdated and burdensome regulations, policies, and practices that stand in the way of delivering for New Yorkers. EXPRESS NY is the next phase in the governor’s 2026 State of the State commitment to cut excessive red tape to speed up government and make it easier, faster, and more affordable to deliver the critical projects and services that New Yorkers need.

“While Washington Republicans seek to gut government at every opportunity they get, we’re strengthening government in New York through real efficiencies and reforms,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers navigate regulations in ways big and small, from small businesses trying to get off the ground to local leaders trying to build needed housing and infrastructure; today, it is clear that it is often too hard and takes too long to navigate red tape and get approvals. I’ve charged my team to slash excessive red tape, and by asking the people who interact with bureaucracy every day for their ideas, we can deliver a more responsive and effective government that supports the dreams and ambitions of New Yorkers and takes this state to the next level.”

In October, Governor Hochul directed state agencies to identify outdated or obsolete regulations and policies. In this initial phase, agencies identified nearly 100 potential regulations and practices in need of reform, modernization or elimination. Opportunities to cut red tape that state agencies have identified include: removing unnecessary fees for small businesses, expediting occupational licensing renewals for workers, digitizing paper-based processes, rescinding unenforced and out of date regulations, and reducing burdensome and unnecessary reporting requirements.

Now, Governor Hochul wants to hear from New Yorkers directly to seek their ideas on cutting red tape and making government work better. The State has launched a new portal for New Yorkers to identify regulations, policies, and practices that add unnecessary process, undue burden, or are simply out of date. Specific areas of focus include recommendations that will:

• Speed up housing & infrastructure development by addressing obstacles that slow down our ability to build affordable housing and other infrastructure New Yorkers depend on: transportation, child care centers, water infrastructure, parks, community centers, and more.

• Support small businesses by tackling burdensome requirements and fees that make it difficult for businesses to launch, serve customers, or grow.

• Streamline access to services by simplifying complicated processes or removing unnecessary hurdles that prevent families from accessing benefits and services that New York State supports or oversees (e.g., healthcare, child care, nutrition, mental health).

New Yorkers should submit ideas in a new portal that the State has launched. The call for ideas will be open until April 3.

Governor Hochul has also appointed a new Associate Director of Regulatory Reform in the Executive Chamber to help oversee this effort. Over the coming weeks, Chamber officials will be meeting with small business owners, community leaders, localities, industry experts, and other key stakeholders to hear from them about burdensome regulations.

After a successful debut last fall, the Malta Repair Café is back—ready to give broken household items a second life and bring neighbors together in the process. 

The first Malta Repair Café, held in October 2025 at the Innovation Center at Saratoga, welcomed 45 community members and repaired an impressive 36 everyday items, all thanks to the skill and generosity of volunteer repair coaches.

Based on that enthusiastic response, the Malta Repair Café will return on Saturday, February 21, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Innovation Center at Saratoga, 16 Old Stonebreak Road, Malta, NY. The event is free and open to the public.

Repair Cafés are hands-on, community-powered events where knowledgeable volunteers help attendees diagnose and fix broken items— while sharing skills and confidence along the way. Participants are invited to bring items from home such as small furniture, toys, lamps, kitchen appliances, vacuums, clothing and textiles, jewelry, books, ceramics, and more. If you can carry it in, the Repair Café team will do their best to fix it. Sustainable Saratoga Programs Manager Caroline Rothaug is one of the organizers: What could be better than a day of people who love to fix things working with the owners of broken items to put them back in working order? Six Days! Sustainable Saratoga is doubling the number of Repair Cafés we co-host to six in 2026.

The Innovation Center is proud to host the Malta Repair Café and support an event that brings people together to share skills, reduce waste, and strengthen our community, said Beth Moeller from The Innovation Center at Saratoga. Seeing neighbors help one another while giving everyday items a second life is exactly the kind of innovation we love to foster.

More than just a fix-it event, the Repair Café is about reducing waste, saving money, and rediscovering the value of repair. By extending the life of everyday objects and keeping them out of landfills, Repair Cafés help build a more sustainable community—one repair at a time.

More info at https://sustainablesaratoga.org/projects/zero-waste/repair-cafe-saratoga-springs/