September 29, 2017
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of a new supportive and affordable housing development in Steuben County. Lamphear Court Apartments offers 60 units, including 48 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom apartment units, with 22 supportive units for people who are recovering from mental illness. Located at 77 Lamphear Court in Corning, the $12.4 million development is part of Governor Cuomo's unprecedented commitment to establish affordable housing, which includes $20 billion to build or preserve 100,000units of affordable, and 6,000 units of supportive housing across the State.
"We will continue to invest in the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, and the completion of this housing development will give some of the most vulnerable among us the opportunity to have a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home," Governor Cuomo said. "By providing the opportunity for residents to afford a new apartment, while ensuring these men and women receive resources and services they need, New York is supporting stronger communities across the Southern Tier."
The Lamphear Court Apartments have significantly increased available housing options for residents in Steuben County. The development includes an elevator, common laundry area, computer room, community room with a kitchenette, management office and supportive services space. There is also convenient access to stores and public transportation in the area. The energy-efficient, modern apartment development is consistent with the City of Corning's Master Plan and the Corning Housing Strategy.
Offices will be co-located on the site for support programs that will support health services for residents. The gross rents (rent plus utilities) will range from $531 to $725 a month, and will be affordable to households with incomes at or below 60 per cent of the area median income.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal has awarded an annual allocation of $711,486 Low Income Housing Tax Credits, which will produce $6.8 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity for the Lamphear Court Apartments. Additionally, $2,750,000 of New York Housing Plan funds and $1,280,350 from the Housing Trust Fund have supported the project.
The New York State Office of Mental Health is providing a capital grant of $1,150,000 for construction as well as rental subsidies of $600 per unit for the 22 OMH-funded units. OMH is also providing a Program Development grant of $150,000 for furnishings, equipment and other start-up costs. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is also providing a grant of $121,000.
Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Lamphear Court Apartments is an example of the successful blend of affordable and supportive housing under Governor Cuomo's aggressive program that is addressing this critical shortage throughout the state. Residents of the 60 new, safe, units will be able to live independently in the community they love. All of this advances Corning's revitalization efforts and is another reason why the Southern Tier is Soaring."
Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Governor Cuomo has made assisting vulnerable New Yorkers on the road to recovery a priority, and the Office of Mental Health is proud to have provided capital funding as well as rental subsidies for 22 units of safe housing with supportive services for people with behavioral health issues. Supportive housing developments like Lamphear Court will allow residents to receive the help they need in their own homes, and to be successful and productive members of their communities."
Senator Tom O'Mara said, "The City of Corning has a number of exciting foundations on which to build a stronger future, including the new Lamphear Court Apartments. We're hopeful that the state's ongoing investment and support will continue to strengthen these efforts and lead to short and long-term community revitalization and economic growth."
Assemblyman Philip A. Palmesano said, "The Lamphear Court Apartments are a vital addition to the City of Corning's ongoing revitalization and will benefit enhanced affordable housing and community renewal. We appreciate the state's continued investment in a stronger future for the city's residents and businesses."
City of Corning Mayor Rich Negri said, "Revitalizing the city's neighborhoods is an important goal of mine and the completion of Lamphear Court Apartments creates significant momentum for the city's housing strategy. We are deeply appreciative of the efforts of the state agencies, Arbor Housing and Development, our financial partners and contractors who have made this possible."
Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Tom Tranter, President and CEO of Corning Enterprises said, "There is a great need for affordable housing for low- and middle-income families in the Southern Tier. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo for his support which has made transformative projects such as the Lamphear Court Apartment project possible. Through the Southern Tier Soaring economic development plan, the STREDC is committed to supporting efforts that create opportunity and result in a brighter future for everyone in the region."
Arbor Housing and Development President and CEO Jeffrey E. Eaton said, "Home matters to everyone, regardless of your income level or whether you are recovering from mental illness or are a victim of domestic violence. Lamphear Court Apartments is a public/private partnership that supports Arbor's mission of providing quality, safe and affordable options for everyone. We are excited with our ribbon cutting today and look forward to completing the next phase of our development."
The Lamphear Court development team is led by Arbor Housing and Development, a non-profit corporation committed to building independence and creating housing options.
Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring
Today's announcement complements "Southern Tier Soaring the region's comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $4.6 billion in the region since 2012 to lay for groundwork for the plan - attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to grow and invest. Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State's $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion - and the region's plan, as submitted, projects up to 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.