October 21, 2019
| Albany, NY
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments in Buffalo, a new $11.6 million affordable housing development with 37 apartments for older New Yorkers. The development will also include support services that allow people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live independently. The apartments were constructed on the site of the vacant Millard Fillmore Hospital in the Gates Circle neighborhood of Buffalo, offering residents easy access to public transportation and retail.
"By transforming a long vacant space into high-quality homes, we are making another strategic investment in Buffalo and furthering revitalization efforts for the Gates Circle neighborhood," Governor Cuomo said. "Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments is a welcome addition that will provide new affordable housing options to city residents and help continue Buffalo's resurgence."
"We want people who grew up in Buffalo and across the state to stay here and have affordable housing options," Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. "The Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments add affordable units for our older residents and provide critical support services for individuals with developmental disabilities. This investment is part of our aggressive $20 billion, five-year housing plan to add and preserve affordable homes. We want to give everyone in New York an opportunity to live independent, healthy, and safe lives."
Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments is part of Governor Cuomo's commitment to providing all New Yorkers with access to safe, affordable housing is reflected in the State's unprecedented $20 billion, five-year Housing Plan. The plan makes housing accessible and combats homelessness by building and preserving more than 100,000 units of affordable housing and 6,000 units of supportive housing. Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested more than $763 million to create or preserve more than 4,400 affordable homes and apartments in Western NY, including nearly $197 million in the city of Buffalo to house about 5,700 people.
Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments was constructed on a parking lot at Linwood and Lafayette Streets, which has sat unused since the Millard Fillmore Hospital closed. The development includes 31 one-bedroom apartments and six two-bedroom apartments. The apartments are affordable to people 55 years or older with low to moderate household incomes. Located in one of Buffalo's oldest and most historic neighborhoods, known as the Linwood Preservation District, it is situated between the Elmwood Village and Buffalo's Main Street.
Project amenities include Energy Star heat and air conditioning, dishwashers in each unit, laundry facilities and outdoor patio space.
Housing support services are provided through a partnership between the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and People Inc., who is also the project's developer and one of Western New York's largest providers of affordable housing for older adults and residential opportunities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
HCR provided state and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that generated about $7.6 million in equity and an additional $2.5 million in subsidy.OPWDD is providing $1 million in capital plus rental subsidies and funding for support services. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided $37,000. Additional funding includes $265,505 from the city of Buffalo.
The State's investment in Linwood Lafayette supports the Governor's "Health Across All Policies" and "Age-Friendly State" initiatives by preserving affordable homes for seniors. The initiative is a collaborative approach that integrates health considerations into policymaking across all sectors to improve community health and wellness. Learn more here.
People Inc. President and CEO Rhonda Frederick said, "There's an incredible need for a variety of affordable housing options in the City of Buffalo and surrounding areas. We are so pleased to have our agency help fulfill a gap in the community with our mixed-income housing options for older adults and for people with disabilities. We're proud to have the Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments be an example of collaboration for the Gates Circle revitalization. We are grateful to have New York state funding sources, along with the support of important partners and community groups in order to provide this affordable housing opportunity."
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments provides 37 apartments for older adults so that they can live comfortably and affordably in their own communities. Governor Cuomo understands that by increasing housing opportunities for older New Yorkers and providing them with access to services, we build stronger neighborhoods for all. The city of Buffalo is no exception and we join our many partners on welcoming residents to their new home."
Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Theodore Kastner, MD, MS said, "Affordable, supportive housing provides integrated, community living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, and with the assistance of our state agency partners, we can help to ensure the people we support live happy, fulfilled lives in their neighborhoods and communities."
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "Through his support of housing developments like the Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments in Buffalo, Governor Cuomo is truly making New York an Age-Friendly State. Residents will have ready access to Delaware Park and nearby public transportation to connect them with the rest of the community, all in a beautiful historic neighborhood."
Congressman Brian Higgins said, "People Inc. continues to demonstrate leadership on projects that meet a community need to provide quality housing opportunities accessible to a variety of residents. The Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments, funded in part through federal HOME funds and federal low-income housing tax credits, is an exciting new addition to a neighborhood with a great deal of history."
Senator Tim Kennedy said, "As our nation continues to face an affordable housing crisis, our state and extraordinary partners like People Inc. remain committed to investing in new housing opportunities that are both attainable and sustainable models. With assistance from New York State, the City of Buffalo, and federal tax credits, this project was truly a team effort, and today's ribbon cutting is the result of People Inc.'s vision and tireless advocacy for a more equitable and achievable future for all Western New Yorkers."
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, "Congratulations to People Inc. and NYSHCR on the opening of the Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments. This $11.6 million dollar development project in the Linwood preservation district is a testament to how financial support from and the partnership between the state and federal government can help create affordable housing and provide support services for some of our most vulnerable residents - older adults and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities."
Mayor Byron Brown said, "My administration has aggressively supported affordable housing in Buffalo since 2006, aiding the creation of more than 2,000 units of affordable housing. I applaud People, Inc. for this project that targets seniors, and also includes units designed to accommodate persons with disabilities. This is a great fit for the Gates Circle neighborhood."
County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, "Preserving affordable housing for seniors is critical and this investment in the new Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments does that, giving low- to moderate-income seniors the opportunity to live in one of Buffalo's most historic neighborhoods and be a part of the community there. This type of development opens new possibilities for our seniors and enriches neighborhoods at the same time, and will be a great addition to the Linwood Preservation District."