December 2017
Dear friends and partners,
 
I am continuously inspired by the positive impact our collective work has on the lives of individual New Yorkers.
Access to quality, affordable homes creates inclusive communities that expand opportunity and grow our economy.
 
In 2017, HCR had the privilege to take the helm in executing Governor Andrew Cuomo's nation-leading $20 billion five-year investment to expand access to housing and combat homelessness by constructing and preserving 100,000 units of affordable housing and 6,000 units of supportive housing, This means, over the next five years, with your partnership, HCR will initiate the creation and preservation of enough units to house the number of residents in the City of Buffalo.  
 
Our work spanned every corner of New York State as we put shovels in the ground and cut ribbons on affordable homes that provide our elderly, veterans, and disabled with safe, comfortable, and sustainable places to live. In the process, we created jobs in every community and we made each an easier place to live regardless of income.
 
We are thankful for your partnership as together we put this unprecedented investment to work addressing New York's housing needs.
 
On behalf of everyone at HCR, we wish you a Happy New Year and we look forward to working together in 2018!
 
Sincerely,
 
RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner and CEO
Watch Video Above
Commissioner Visnauskas and our housing partners joined Governor Cuomo when he signed legislation to deliver $2.5 billion to advance the construction and preservation of more than 100,000 units of affordable and 6,000 units of supportive housing over the next five years.This marks the largest investment in the creation and preservation of affordable housing and efforts to end homelessness in the history of New York.
A Look Back at 2017 Regional Highlights
Around the State
Southern Tier Soaring
In January, HCR and partners celebrated the opening of the $12.3 million Binghamton Gateway development. The project rehabilitated 11 buildings on Front Street and constructed a new mixed-use building with two commercial storefronts and 10 apartments on the site of the former Lincoln Hotel.
Finger Lakes Forward

Alexander Commons in Rochester opened in April and offers 60 affordable and supportive apartments with on-site behavioral health services provided by East House.

In December, Governor Cuomo announced the completion of the $56.6 million acquisition and modernization 320 apartments in the Town of Chili. This 18-month project will preserve the community as affordable housing for approximately 700 residents.
Central NY Rising

HCR celebrated the transformation of the West Side Knitting Mill on Syracuse’s West Side into Harbor Street Lofts, a mixed-income apartment complex for 40 families.
New York City

Commissioner Visnauskas attended the July groundbreaking of La Central, a $67 million supportive housing development in the Bronx. The first phase created 160 apartments including 97 for formerly homeless New Yorkers with special needs.
Mohawk Valley

In March, construction began on West Street Apartments in Utica, which provided 42 affordable apartments and supportive services for low-income working families. The new development replaced a formerly dilapidated vacant building.
Capital Region

HCR and Capital Repertory Theatre announced approval of a $2 million Rural and Urban Community Investment Fund award for theREP at Livingston Square.Projected redevelopment of the 33,000-square-foot space is a key element of a planned $7.9 million project to create a permanent home for Capital Repertory Theatre as the cornerstone of a block-wide revitalization of downtown Albany.


This project is a $22.3 million affordable and supportive housing development for families along the Hudson River in Troy. Tapestry on the Hudson features 67 apartments, including 19 with support services for formerly homeless individuals and their families. Residents have access to a community room, fitness room, kitchenette, and laundry facilities on each floor.
Long Island

Copiague Commons is two state-of-the-art 45-unit apartment buildings containing one- and two-bedroom apartments, a community room, fitness center, onsite parking, and many other amenities.The new development is a focal point in the town’s efforts to rebound from Superstorm Sandy by creating a vibrant transit-oriented downtown containing a mix of housing types, retail, office and other uses that contribute to a sense of community.  

This project is a $51.9 million, 123-unit affordable and supportive housing development in Suffolk County. Developed by Concern for Independent Living, Renaissance Village features one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments including 50 units for homeless individuals with disabilities.Support services provided on site include medication management training, symptom management, financial assistance, vocational training and rehabilitative counseling.
Mid-Hudson
Hemlock Ridge

HCR joined Wilder Balter Partners, community leaders and residents to mark the dedication of Hemlock Ridge Apartments, 60 energy-efficient units of affordable housing in the Sullivan County hamlet of Livingston Manor. The development, consisting of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, is on a 9.3-acre parcel that is within walking distance of schools, municipal offices, a public library and retail stores.
Western NY
In July, Governor Cuomo announced a three-phase, $10 million initiative to increase homeownership, prevent foreclosure, and target zombie properties on Buffalo’s East Side and in the Town of Cheektowaga.

The Buffalo Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative first phase included $1.4 million to repair and make available for purchase 28 city-owned vacant and abandoned properties; $2 million to assist families at risk of losing their homes due to high costs of maintenance and energy usage; and $1 million to purchase mortgages of 17 properties facing foreclosure.

Commissioner Visnauskas celebrated the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Baptist Manor Apartments in Buffalo.The $7.2 million renovation preserves affordability for 127 seniors. Baptist Manor is a 127-unit faith-based affordable Mitchell Lama development for people 62 and over.
Governor Cuomo Announces $26 Million Available for
Affordable Homeownership Statewide
Governor Cuomo announced the availability of $26 million of for the Affordable Home Ownership Development Program . Grants can be used to make improvements to existing owner-occupied single or multi-family homes, condominiums, or cooperatives; acquire and rehabilitate owner-occupied homes for sale, including single and multi-family homes, condominiums, or cooperatives; and construct new owner-occupied homes for sale, including single and multi-family homes, condominiums, or cooperatives including dilapidated and manufactured homes.

Applications are due February 16, 2018. More information and the Notice of Funding Availability can be found here .
Increasing Homeownership Opportunities for New Yorkers
In May, HCR launched the Graduate to Homeownership program to help recent college graduates become first-time homeowners. The pilot program, which will be available in eight cities participating in Governor Cuomo's Downtown Revitalization Initiative, offers low-interest rate mortgages, a down payment assistance loan with no additional fees, and a homebuyer education course

In 2017, SONYMA offered approximately $435 million in mortgage loans with programs that enabled 2,105 primarily first-time homebuyers to own their own homes.
Weatherization Works!
 
Since 2011, HCR has provided Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) services to 118,600 low-income households – investing more than $738 million to help New Yorkers.
In October, HCR recognized the 5 th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy and the 41 st anniversary of the WAP with an event at Sol Scher Apartments, a 75-unit affordable senior development in Long Beach undergoing weatherization and resiliency renovations. In partnership with the Community Development Corporation of Long Island and the Long Beach Housing Authority, WAP’s investment in the building will improve ventilation and air quality and achieve greater water conservation and heating efficiency. These improvements are expected to reduce the building’s electric consumption by 20%. 
 
CAMBA Gardens Phase l & ll Nominated For the
2018 Urban Land Institute of New York Awards
CAMBA Gardens Phase I & II have been nominated as a finalist for the 2018 Urban Land Institute (ULI) of New York Awards for Excellence in Development .

CHV submitted both phases for this prestigious award to showcase these developments as a national model for reusing surplus public/hospital property.  
 
The award winner will be announced at ULI’s annual awards gala on April 10th, 2018.

HCR’s #SONYMA provides competitive mortgages for
first-time homebuyers! Call 1-800-382-HOME (4663) or visit sonyma.org
Andrew M. Cuomo , Governor I RuthAnne Visnauskas , Commissioner and CEO 
NYS Homes and Community Renewal | www.nyshcr.org