Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $104 million has been awarded to create or preserve 864 affordable homes in 16 separate developments across New York. The funding announced today will further local economic development initiatives, expand the housing supply in every region, fight homelessness with supportive services for vulnerable populations, and help close the digital divide for lower-income households. The developments will also advance the State's ambitious goal to achieve an 85 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
"The $104 million in awards announced today will expand access to affordable housing and opportunity for families, seniors, and vulnerable residents across New York," Governor Hochul said. "Expanding the housing supply is the cornerstone of my $25 billion, five-year housing plan, and today's awards will move us one step closer toward achieving our goal of making New York a more affordable place for all. With sustainable designs, on-site supportive services, and expanded access to free or low-cost broadband internet, we're not just building homes with these awards; we're creating vibrant, more enduring communities."
The awards are part of Governor Hochul's $25 billion, five-year comprehensive Statewide housing plan that will make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable. The Governor's plan will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.
The awards announced today are provided through New York State Homes and Community Renewal's Multifamily Finance RFP, a competitive process used to award Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and subsidy financing for affordable and supportive multifamily housing developments. Coupled with the State's investment, the 16 awarded developments will unlock a total of $371 million into local economies by leveraging an additional $267 million in public and private sources.
All 16 projects are required to meet green building standards as part of Homes and Community Renewal's efforts to achieve the goals set by the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The CLCPA, the most ambitious climate and energy plan in the nation, requires an 85 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050 and eventually net zero emissions across all sectors of the economy. Six of the awarded developments are supported by grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to achieve a higher level of energy efficiency. Seven are designed to a high efficiency and carbon free standard with plans to apply for NYSERDA or clean energy funding based on third-party energy management contracts in place at the time of the award.
Thirteen of the developments, with a total of 705 homes, will be in all-electric buildings. In her State of the State address earlier this year, Governor Hochul announced a plan to achieve a minimum of one million electrified homes and up to one million electrification-ready homes by 2030, including more than 800,000 low- to moderate-income households receiving upgrades.
In addition, these developments will provide free or low-cost broadband services to residents as part of the State's efforts to close the digital divide for lower-income New Yorkers.
Six of the projects will benefit from $23 million in coordinated funding from the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, which has been awarded to aid in the development of supportive housing.
The awards announced by the Governor today include:
Capital Region
$7.3 million for The Riverview Apartments in the village of Corinth, Saratoga County. The development will create 60 affordable apartments with 30 reserved for formerly homeless individuals with mental health illnesses and who will have access to rental subsidies and on-site supportive services funded through an Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative award. The developer is RISE Housing and Support Services, Inc.
$6 million for Elmer Gardens in the city of Schenectady's Eastern Avenue neighborhood. Developed by Home Leasing and Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc., the project will convert the historic Elmer Avenue School into 51 apartments for adults aged 55 and older. Twenty-six homes will be reserved for seniors in need of supportive services to live independently. These units will be funded through an Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative award.
Central New York
$5.5 million for the Wheat Street Apartments in the village of Cayuga, Cayuga County. The mixed-income development will offer 47 apartments, including nine homes reserved for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. With support from the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, and the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, these residents will have access to on-site services provided by the E. John Gavras Center. The development is designated as a Housing Opportunity Project, as it is located in a well-resourced area with a high-performing school district. The project's developer is Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.
$5.3 million for Community View Apartments in the village of Morrisville, Madison County. The senior housing development will feature 61 apartments, including 20 for seniors experiencing homelessness. With funding from an Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative award and the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, residents will have access to on-site supportive services provided by the Crouse Community Center. The developer is Christopher Community, Inc.
Finger Lakes
$10.7 million for the Baird Road Senior Apartments in the town of Perinton, Monroe County. This new construction project will feature 76 affordable apartments for seniors 62 and older, including 38 with supportive services from Rochester General funded through an Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative award. NYSERDA awarded the development $1 million from the Buildings of Excellence program for the building's net-zero and passive house design, which includes rooftop solar panels, air source heat pumps, shared heat-pump water heaters and low-carbon materials. The developer is Pathstone Development Corporation.
$1.1 million for School House Manor in the village of Oakfield in Genesee County. School House Manor is an existing senior housing facility converted from a historic school building through the USDA Rural Development Section 515 Program. The project will repair structural issues in the building, preserve affordability for existing and future tenants, enhance energy-efficiency and convert underutilized space into an additional eight apartments. The developer is ODS Management, Inc.
Long Island
$3.1 million for Baldwin Commons in the hamlet of Baldwin in the town of Hempstead, Nassau County. The development will include 33 newly constructed homes in the heart of the hamlet of Baldwin and within a quarter mile of the Long Island Railroad station. The transit- and workforce-oriented development is supported by a grant from Baldwin's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award, a Statewide initiative that is helping to create more vibrant and walkable downtowns across the State. The developer is Park Grove Development, LLC.
Mid-Hudson
$3 million for 41-51 Maple in the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County. The project will feature 33 apartments across two buildings targeting a wide range of incomes. Regan Development Corporation was selected as the designated developer of the village-owned property. The development consists primarily of two- and three-bedroom units and is in a well-resourced community with a high-performing school district.
Mohawk Valley
$4.9 million for Artspace Utica Lofts in the city of Utica. When complete, Artspace Utica Lofts will offer 43 newly constructed mixed-income "live/work" apartments in the city's downtown district. Preference for 75 percent of the homes will be given to artists who meet eligibility requirements. These residents will also have access to gallery and community space within the building to help foster artistic growth. Artspace Utica Lofts was also awarded funding from Utica's Genesee Street Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant. The developer is Artspace Projects, Inc.
New York City
$16.2 million for Boone Avenue Apartments in the Bronx. Constructed on the site of a demolished auto garage, Boone Avenue Apartments will offer 66 affordable and supportive apartments for homeless adults and seniors. Thirty-one of the apartments will be supported by rental and service subsidies through NYC 15/15; twenty homes are supported by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative; and 14 homes are supported by NYC's Affordable Independent Residences for Seniors. The developer and service provider is The Bridge, Inc.
$12.7 million for Concern Logan on Pitkin Avenue in Brooklyn. The development will feature 66 affordable apartments, including 40 homes reserved for individuals with mental health illnesses who will have access to on-site supportive services funded through an Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative award and the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. Fifteen of the supportive homes will be given preference to veterans. The developer is Concern for Independent Living.
$6.9 million for Freedom Village on East 2nd Street in Manhattan's Bowery neighborhood. The newly constructed Freedom Commons will include 75 affordable and supportive apartments for homeless adults in need of services and seniors transitioning out of nursing homes. The development is being constructed on the site of a demolished office and transitional housing building owned by Barrier Free Living, the project's developer. Services and rental subsidies are funded through an Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative award to Barrier Free Living and the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.
North Country
$6.5 million for Saranac Lofts in the village of Saranac Lake, Franklin County. Saranac Lofts will remediate and replace a former brownfield site with a mixed-income and mixed-use development supported by the village's Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. The development will offer 70 apartments and commercial space for a local nonprofit focused on supporting start-up businesses. Half of the apartments will be given preference to artists who meet eligibility requirements. The developer is Parkview Development and Construction, LLC
Southern Tier
$6 million for Village Grove in the village of Trumansburg, Tompkins County. Village Grove will consist of a two-story multifamily building, two townhomes, and a separately financed stand-alone commercial building for the Trumansburg Community Nursery School. Of the total 46 apartments, seven homes are set aside for homeless adults and veterans who will have access to rental subsidies and services provided by the Salvation Army and funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. The all-electric development was also awarded $933,000 from NYSERDA's Buildings of Excellence competition. The developer is Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services.
Western New York
$5 million for Mt. Olive Senior Manor on the city of Buffalo's East Side. Mt. Olive Senior Manor will offer 65 affordable homes for seniors 55 and older, including 20 supportive homes reserved for homeless seniors funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. The development is the result of a partnership between the Mt. Olive Baptist Church and People, Inc. The building will be constructed on a parking lot adjacent to the church which has undergone brownfield remediation.
$4 million for Victoria Place in the village of Kenmore, Erie County. The project will convert historic St. Paul's Catholic School into 37 apartments for seniors 55 and older. The century-old building has remained vacant for over a decade and will utilize NYS and Federal Historic Tax Credits. The project represents the first affordable senior housing within the village and Town of Tonawanda in over 10 years. The developer is Kanaka Partners, LLC.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York is proving that public-private collaboration can bring forward the strategic investments we need to make housing more affordable, lower harmful emissions to improve air quality, and ultimately create more resilient communities. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is proud to join its sister agencies and industry partners to support this massive buildout of affordable housing that will feature the latest energy efficient technologies so more New Yorkers statewide can benefit from greater access to cleaner and healthier places to live."
Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "We are thrilled to announce $104 million in housing awards that will ultimately create and preserve 864 affordable homes for New Yorkers across the State. More than just apartments, these projects will further local economic development and revitalization initiatives, help vulnerable residents access the services they need to live independently, provide seniors will safe apartments to age in place with dignity, and help families achieve stability and success. These 16 developments will meet our rigorous standards for energy-efficiency to reduce carbon emissions and will help close the digital divide by offering free or low-cost broadband to residents. Congratulations to all of our awardees for making New York a better, stronger and more equitable place to live."
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, "Supportive housing is a critical component in our efforts to reduce housing instability Statewide and ensure that the most vulnerable have access to safe, affordable homes. These projects will provide much-needed housing together with vital services for seniors, veterans, and other vulnerable New Yorkers to address the challenges that may have contributed to their homelessness and help ensure their success in the community. Governor Hochul's continued support for developments such as these demonstrates her resolve in making good quality and affordable housing available for all in need."
State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, "The utilization of the Historic Tax Credit program in conjunction with housing incentives continues to attract reinvestment in historic structures, which helps lift local economies, expand housing opportunities, and promote sustainability while preserving the heritage of our cities and towns."
Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "The Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative program has provided millions of dollars to fund the operating costs of safe, stable supportive housing in every region of New York State. It has provided new homes and new opportunities to hundreds of individuals and families, including those living with mental illness. I congratulate and thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to ESSHI and to expanding supportive housing opportunities for vulnerable New Yorkers."
Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kerri Neifeld said, "We are thrilled that Governor Hochul has once again made people with developmental disabilities a priority in providing more equitable and affordable housing to New Yorkers. The nine homes designated in Wheat Street Apartments in Cayuga will help to ensure that the people we support are able to live healthy and productive lives as part of their communities."
Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz said, "These awards will expand our much-needed supply of affordable and supportive housing across New York State and will do so in an environmentally sound way that helps safeguard the health of our residents for generations to come. I commend the creative use of public-private partnerships to make possible these new developments that will succeed in stabilizing communities and enhancing the lives of so many New Yorkers."
For more details on the awards, visit HCR's website.