The First Statewide Legislative Symposium on Rural Development reported that, while community facilities and housing are vital to the successful growth and renewal of New York's rural areas, these requirements are not being met for many rural communities. Rural population influxes have caused escalating costs for maintenance and improvement of local road, water and sanitation services, schools, and other public services, resulting in increased costs of living, higher taxes, and squeezes on local government budgets and housing and affecting low-wage earners and the elderly disproportionately. Bright spots in New York's rural housing situation include availability of land at affordable prices, good existing housing stock, high percentage of owner-occupancy, presence of banks capable of lending, and a sense of community and shared commitment to its well being. Realizing the goal of a comprehensive data base for rural communities that will enhance ability to compete for federal, state, and private support of community facilities and housing, and finding solutions to public policy issues such as how to prevent urban solutions from being misapplied to rural problems may lead to equitable assistance to rural New York communities. (NEC)