Governor Cuomo Announces Start of Construction on $20.4 Million Affordable and Supportive Housing Development for Seniors in Monroe County

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the start of construction on a $20.4 million affordable and supportive housing development for seniors in the town of Irondequoit in Monroe County. Irondequoit Senior Housing will provide 80 affordable homes for older New Yorkers with half of the apartments reserved for senior households in need of supportive services to help them live independently. 

"The pandemic is not slowing our efforts to provide seniors with safe, modern and energy-efficient affordable housing with supportive services for those who need them," Governor Cuomo said. "Our investment in these developments will enable older New Yorkers to live with the dignity and peace of mind they deserve, while furthering our goal of providing all New Yorkers with access to safe, affordable housing and revitalizing communities across the state."  

Irondequoit Senior Housing is part of the Governor's $20 billion, five-year affordable housing plan to provide all New Yorkers with access to housing by building and preserving more than 100,000 units of affordable housing and 6,000 units of supportive housing. The development also builds on the state's overall strategy to revitalize communities and grow the economy. Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested $688 million in the Finger Lakes region to create or preserve nearly 8,000 affordable homes.   

Developed by Rochester Management, Inc., Irondequoit Senior Housing will be constructed on undeveloped land located at 2590 Culver Road in the East Irondequoit neighborhood, just northeast of the city of Rochester. The single three-story elevator building will offer 77 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments for seniors aged 55 and older. All apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income.

Forty households will receive supportive services and rental subsidies through the Governor's Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative administered by the New York State Department of Health. In addition, the Rochester Housing Authority will provide eight Project-Based Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.    
Supportive services provided by Rochester Regional Health will include screenings and referrals to meal and nutrition programs, counseling, legal and financial assistance programs, transportation referrals, and home care assistance.

Building amenities include laundry facilities on each floor, a lounge, fitness center and rooftop deck. The ground floor will contain a community room and office space for the social services staff. Landscaped gardens, seating areas and a gathering space will be featured outside. 

The building is designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities building standards and will utilize energy efficient appliances, low wattage lights, low flow water faucets and high efficiency heating systems. The apartments are conveniently located near health care services, restaurants, and grocery and retail shopping.   

State support for Irondequoit Senior Housing includes $4.5 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate more than $5 million in equity and $9.2 million in subsidy from HCR. Additional financing includes a deferred developer fee and sponsor note.

New York State Senator Samra Brouk said, “Supportive, affordable housing projects like this one strengthen our community by offering vulnerable individuals a stable place to call home where they can find a community of essential support and services that allow them to live more active and productive lives. As State Senator, I am committed to fighting for the families in our region and supporting projects that help people in my district thrive.”

Assemblywoman Sarah Clark said, “I am excited that construction for Irondequoit Senior Housing is underway. With a growing senior population in the town, and many facing financial hardship now more than ever due to the pandemic, increasing affordable housing options and access to services such as meals, transportation and home care are critical to older residents’ quality of life and ability to age in place. Thanks to all that have come together to bring this project to fruition and help keep Irondequoit true to its town slogan, ‘a town for a lifetime.’ "

HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Irondequoit Senior Housing is another example of Governor Cuomo's ongoing commitment to providing older New Yorkers with affordable housing paired with supportive services for those who may need them. Our investment will enable 80 senior households to age in place in a brand-new development with on-site health and social services, landscaped gardens and outdoor space, and easy access to nearby amenities and transit. We are proud to partner once again with Rochester Management, Inc. as we work together to keep the Finger Lakes moving forward." 

Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "The Governor's Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative has provided New York's most vulnerable populations the support they need to address their health while providing a safe, stable place to live. We know that when homeless seniors are placed into supportive housing it allows them to receive the care that they need, while decreasing hospital inpatient and ER utilization." 

New York State Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen said, "Access to safe, affordable, supportive housing is critical to helping older adults stay connected to the vital community resources they need to remain healthy and engaged so they can successfully live independently. Development of the Irondequoit Senior Housing project furthers the Governor's plan on making New York an age-friendly state, and this investment in Monroe County is another fine example of this administration ongoing commitment to make this state the healthiest state in the country and a great place to grow up and grow older."

Irondequoit Supervisor Dave Seeley said, “Expanding the availability of senior housing is essential to ensuring Irondequoit lives up to its motto as ‘A Town for a Lifetime.’ Irondequoit Senior Housing’s 80 new apartments will allow our older residents to continue to be active members of the community they have helped to build and shape throughout their lifetimes. I’m grateful to our partners at Rochester Management for their leadership and hard work as we continue to provide new options for our residents to age in place here in Irondequoit.”

Rochester Management CEO and President Peggy J. Hill said, "We are absolutely thrilled to begin construction on this important project. Rochester Management has played a key role in providing quality affordable housing for the past 70 years and we look forward to continuing to help provide this quality housing for our growing senior population as well as our underserved communities.  We are grateful to be able to provide much needed supportive services to enable seniors to live independently longer."

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward 
Today's announcement complements "Finger Lakes Forward," the region's comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $8 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan - investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. This funding has incentivized private business to invest well over $2.5 billion to the effort, which anticipates creating more than 8,000 jobs in the region. More information is available here.