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Housing Commissioner Addresses RUPCO Audience, Family of Woodstock Honored

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Joan Lawrence-Bauer
jlb@rupco.org; 845-331-2140 x 263

Kingston, NY -- October 13, 2010 - Commissioner Brian Lawlor, who also serves at the CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, delivered the keynote address for Rural Ulster Preservation Company’s (RUPCO) Community Lunch yesterday in Kingston. Speaking of the historic combination of state agencies that serve housing needs, Lawlor told 150 business and community leaders that the rare consolidation of state agencies was accomplished with no actual layoffs despite a $12 million budget cut. The Commissioner also lauded Family of Woodstock, which received a Community Partner award at the event. Noting that new alignments and collaborations between government agencies and non-profit organizations have resulted in better service for constituents despite economic woes and funding cuts.

Thomas A. Collins, President of RUPCO’s Board of Directors opened the event with a review of RUPCO’s accomplishments in the last year. His statement that Ulster County has the highest rate of pending foreclosures as a percentage of mortgages in New York State drew gasps from the audience. RUPCO, in collaboration with Hudson River Housing and Legal Services of the Hudson Valley has counseled nearly 2000 people facing foreclosure. RUPCO in collaboration with Family of Woodstock, also helped more than 1,000 individuals facing homelessness during the first 9 months of the year.

Kevin O’Connor, RUPCO Executive Director, lauded Family of Woodstock and its Executive Director, Michael Berg, for 40 years of passionate service to the people of Ulster County and the region. The two men, who co-chair the Ulster County Housing Consortium both shared stories of their collaboration. “We got married,” said Berg in accepting the award. “We moved in together. He redecorated the office. Now we’re finished the grant and we don’t want to move out,” said Berg.

State Senator John Bonacic and Assemblyman Kevin Cahill lauded both organizations with Cahill applauding Berg’s passion for the housing cause and Bonacic saying that “until you’ve been to a ribbon cutting for an affordable housing facility and talked with the people who live there, you really can’t appreciate the needs our people have.”

RUPCO, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year, is the county’s leading housing agency. Family, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the leading human service provider. They have offices next to each other on John Street in Kingston and both organizations also have properties throughout the county. More information is available on their websites, www.rupco.org or www.familyofwoodstock.org.