Tompkins County opens applications for two housing programs

Published on April 09, 2026

Tompkins County is currently accepting applications for two grant programs aimed at expanding affordable housing development and planning across the county.

Community Housing Development Fund

The Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Round 26 of the Community Housing Development Fund (CHDF) on March 23, 2026. The program funds rehabilitation and construction projects that create permanently affordable housing units in Tompkins County. Eligible applicants include nonprofit and for-profit developers, municipalities, and public housing authorities. The application deadline is May 1, 2026.

The CHDF is a joint effort of Tompkins County, the city of Ithaca, and Cornell University, established in 2009 to address the ongoing housing shortage and affordability challenges facing county residents. The towns of Dryden and Ithaca joined as associate member funding partners in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Since its founding, the CHDF has supported the construction or rehabilitation of more than 1,000 affordable housing units with nearly $8.5 million in grants.

The Round 26 NOFA can be found on the Department of Planning and Sustainability website, on the Housing page under Grant Programs. Hard copies of the NOFA can be picked up at the Department of Planning and Sustainability office at 121 East Court Street, Ithaca, NY.

Housing Affordability and Supportive Infrastructure Grant

Tompkins County is also accepting applications for the 2026 Housing Affordability and Supportive Infrastructure Grant (HASIG) program, which provides funding to municipalities working to address the local housing shortage.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through November 18, 2026, or until funds are depleted. Program guidelines are available on the Department of Planning and Sustainability website, on the Housing page under Grant Programs.

"Housing affordability remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Tompkins County residents, and these programs are a critical tool for making progress," said Shawna Stevenson, Housing and Community Development Planner of the Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability. "We encourage eligible applicants to take advantage of both opportunities and to reach out to our office with any questions."