The need for quality housing throughout Onondaga County has never been greater and will continue to grow over the foreseeable future. To incentivize private sector investment the Onondaga County Housing Initiative Program (O-CHIP) has been created.

O-CHIP has $10,000,000 available to be awarded to private sector and nonprofit developers to assist in closing funding gaps and stimulate investment in new construction so there are more housing units in our community. Housing can be single family market rate, senior, mixed use, affordable or mixed income and may be located anywhere in Onondaga County.

Awards may be made in the amount of $5,000 per unit up to $250,000 (50 units) per project. A project must consist of a minimum of 5 units in order to be considered for funding. A regionally significant project may be eligible for up to $750,000. A developer may be eligible for funding for a total of two distinct development projects. The awarding of funding to a second project will be based in part on the availability of funds and on whether either of a developer’s projects is an adaptive reuse, affordable housing, brownfield or condominium.

Developers will submit documentation showing they have a viable project and the financing to proceed. The Onondaga County Hotel Initiative review team will review the developer’s submission. The review team will consist of the Director of Community Development, a representative from the Office of the County Executive, the Onondaga County Economic Development Legislative Chair as well as representatives from Visit Syracuse, CenterState CEO and ASM. Developers who are awarded this funding will be notified by Community Development and the disbursement of funds will be determined between the county and the developer.

Developers who are awarded O-CHIP funding will be notified by Community Development and the disbursement of funds will be determined between the county and the developer.

Information on proposed projects to be considered for O-CHIP funding may be submitted electronically at: cd@ongov.net

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Marty Skahen, Director of Community Development, at martinskahen@ongov.net or 315-435-3558.

Thank you