Cloey Callahan reports for the Times Union that the Town of Rhinebeck on April 11 did what few towns locally have done: they voted for an affordable housing project. A zoning amendment request by Kearney Realty and Development Group and the Housing Partnership Development Corporation was approved for construction of what will be called The Hamlet at Rhinebeck. “Housing prices are going through the roof,” said Town Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia. “Workforce housing is important for the vibrancy of a community, for maintaining economic balance of residents.” The project, with 18 one-bedroom units, 44 two-bedroom units, and 18 three-bedroom units across four buildings located on a 23-acre site near Route 308 and next to the Wells Manor senior housing development, still needs approval from the planning board. But with real estate prices sky high forcing local residents to move elsewhere, it was a rare step by a local government to address the Hudson Valley's housing crisis. Of course, construction will take two years, so any relief will not be immediate. Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has said that “housing accessibility is a critical need” and that the county will “work aggressively to create more workforce housing and opportunity for residents.” Read more about this story in the Times Union.