ALBANY - The State Division of Housing and Community Renewal has completed and released the first of a series of regional reports on New York’s housing needs. The unprecedented study involved meetings and interviews with dozens of local officials, advocates, developers and other members of the housing community in the North Country region.

Governor David Paterson said the report represents “a new level of outreach to and coordination with local officials who best understand the needs of their communities. These reports will provide us with a powerful tool to help determine how New York State’s housing and community development programs can best be targeted to meet the needs of our residents.”

To prepare the North Country report, DHCR staff traveled throughout the region meeting with local officials and housing professionals from pertinent county and city departments (planning, community development, economic development and housing).

The housing needs report also includes U.S. Census and American Community Survey data intended to identify demographic and housing related trends. DHCR staff also analyzed information from current local planning documents, including several studies on the unique housing needs in the Fort Drum area.