Here you will find Place Corps connections and resources related to housing in Kingston and the surrounding area.

*Here is a regularly updated list of available affordable housing units provided by New York State.*

How do I access available housing?

▣ by checking the existing housing options against your own housing needs and creating a list of possibilities to pursue.

▣ by getting in touch with the various housing situations and finding out what is available.

▣ by getting on waitlists for those housing situations and tools which could meet your needs.

▣ by gathering the necessary materials, documents, references, and so on (listed further in document) which you will need to pursue a housing application.

▣ by making sure that your finances and employment are in order in the months preceding seeking a new housing arrangement.

▣ by seeking guidance from friends, family and community members with experience in securing housing.

Affordable Housing Available in Ulster County:

Affordable Housing Available in Dutchess County:

Affordable Housing in the Surrounding Counties:

Questions to ask when calling or emailing buildings, landlords, or agents about apartments:

1. Are there available units in your building? 

2. Is there a waitlist? When will your waitlist open, and how long is it?

3. How much is the rent?

4. Is there a minimum or maximum income level?

5. If there are units available can I schedule a time to visit them in person?

   (It's a good idea to bring a friend or potential roommate with you to do this.) 

6. When could a lease begin?

Organizations and Resources Assist with Housing Locally:

How do housing waitlists work and how do I navigate them?

Low-income and affordable buildings and complexes often have waitlists for available units. This is because the demand for affordable housing is much higher than the supply. These waitlists are very long and close after a certain number of people have signed on to them. Available units go to those at the top of the waitlist. Unfortunately these waiting lists can take years.

• It is important to keep track of what waitlists are open, in order to get your name on one. To find out what housing waitlists are open, contact the housing authority in the area.

Kingston Housing Authority: 845-331-1955

Ellenville Housing Authority: 845-647-8686

Hudson Housing Authority: 518-828-5415

Poughkeepsie Housing Authority: 845-485-8862

Questions to Ask When Calling or Emailing About Housing Waitlists:

1. Are you currently accepting applications for your waitlists?

2. Can you tell me about how long it will be until the waitlist is open?

3. What is the typical wait time on this waitlist?

4. Does the waitlist prioritize or expedite certain people or groups? (i.e. those with children, the elderly, teachers, etc.)

Emergency Housing Resources

If you cannot make rent: Create a hierarchy of all your expenses, most likely housing and food will be at the top. Other expenses, such as utilities, phone service, dining-out expenses, insurance, and transportation may be more negotiable. You may also need to consider taking on additional work hours, another job, finding a new living situation, taking on additional roommates, and other creative methods of bringing in more income and decreasing expenses. 

If it is not possible to make rent by adjusting these expenses and drawing on savings then there are some resources to help you navigate this tight spot. 

• If you have a mutually respectful relationship with your landlord and are able to explain why you cannot make rent on time, and have a plan to be able to do so going forward, then you can approach your landlord about having extra time to pay your rent. You must use your own discretion in choosing to do this, and know that the answer may be no.

• Consider getting your food and other goods you may need from a local food bank, SNAP, and other methods of subsidizing your other expenses.

Contact a local HUD Housing Counselor:

A representative from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development can talk to you about your housing situation and help you strategies and understand what resources will best aid you in your particular situation. This is a free service. To reach a HUD Counselor call: 800-569-4287

Apply for Emergency Housing Vouchers:

To access emergency housing vouchers provided through the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, In the Hudson Valley, contact: ehv@hcr.ny.gov, or call 833-942-3903

Consult HUD’s New York State directory for Rental Help.

Salvation Army’s Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance Program: 

The Salvation Army will provide one time assistance for those struggling to pay their bills through many of their local corps.

Salvation Army Kingston: Erik.Muhs@USE.salvationarmy.org, 845-331-1803.  

Salvation Army Beacon: patti.odell@use.salvationarmy.org, 845-831-1253

Salvation Army Newburgh: kelly.ross@use.salvationarmy.org, 845-562-0413

Modest Needs Self-Sufficiency Grants: you can apply for a grant from Modest Needs if you meet the grant criteria: you must be low-income and employed to apply for a grant. If you have questions, contact: general.questions@modestneeds.org 

For places to stay:

Midway of Kingston: 845-339-5508, midway@familyofwoodstockinc.org 

Gateway hudson valley: 845-331-1261

Bridges of new york: 516-442-4343, wbest@bridgesofny.org 

Pathstone dutchess county: 845-298-8998, info@pathstone.org

For help paying rent: 

RUPCO emergency assistance: 845-331-2140, kvargas@rupco.org 

New York Temporary Assistance: 1-800-342-3009

Resource to Help You to be Informed About Housing
Tenant Resource Center → the tenant resource center provides information as well as counseling for tenants across the country. If you have questions, issues, or need guidance with housing, they will provide free information and consultation. To contact: 877-238-7368, or email your questions through their portal 

U.S. Department of the Treasury, Affordable Housing How-to Guide: → this is a guide to affordable housing provided by the US government, updated in 2022. 

• This explains the various ways in which Federal money is dispensed at state and local levels in service of affordable housing. Consulting this is a way to know the different ways of accessing this money.

Ulster County Coalition for Housing Justice: 

• Ulster county proposals to address the housing crisis. To contact: uchousingjustice@gmail.com  

Social Housing in the United States, through People’s Policy Project: → this is a report on the affordable housing crisis in the US.

• This document provides a vocabulary for low-income housing and resources related to it.

Solving Affordable Housing: Creative Solutions around the U.S.:

This article discusses housing alternatives, some of which exist or are developing in the area.

The Housing Search

Housing Application Process

Leases: What to Know

Checklists for Housing

Glossary of Housing Terms and Considerations