Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $13 Million Affordable Housing Development in Rochester's El Camino Neighborhood

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced completion of a $13 million affordable housing development in Rochester's El Camino neighborhood. Pueblo Nuevo Phase II created 29 affordable and supportive homes and converted a vacant warehouse into a 10,000-square-foot community center. Together, Pueblo Nuevo Phases I and II provide a total of 104 affordable and supportive homes as part of the vision plan for revitalizing the El Camino neighborhood.  

"Every New Yorker deserves quality, safe, affordable housing with access to the resources they need to succeed," Governor Hochul said. "Our investments in El Camino have created more than just new homes for Rochester families; we are also ensuring the neighborhood has the services, amenities, and features that will sustain this community in the long term." 

"Supportive housing projects like the Pueblo Nuevo project are critical to bringing back neighborhoods like El Camino in Rochester that have long been neglected," said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. "This affordable housing development will provide 29 new homes to people who otherwise would not be able to live there, and the new community center will provide a place for community members to gather. This is just one of the many projects that are restoring the historic El Camino district." 

Pueblo Nuevo Phase II is part of Governor Hochul's statewide plan to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable. In the recently enacted State Budget, the Governor successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that 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.  

Pueblo Nuevo Phase II includes the infill new construction of twelve duplex buildings and five single family houses to create 29 affordable homes. All of the homes are affordable to households earning at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income.  

Six homes are reserved for formerly homeless households who will have access to on-site support services funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Services for these households will be provided by the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County. Services include helping residents access community resources, prepare for and gain employment, and address barriers to independent living. 

The El Camino Community Center at 216 Clifford Avenue, converted from a long-vacant warehouse, provides ADA compliant office spaces for business development, workshops, educational programs, cultural programming, entertainment, and other services that support economic and social advancement.   

The residential buildings were designed to meet the requirements of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's Low-rise New Construction Program. Each building has high efficiency heating and cooling systems, LED high efficiency lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures and Energy Star appliances.   

The first phase of the Pueblo Nuevo development was completed in 2021 and included the new construction of 75 apartments on 20 vacant or underutilized lots across a five-block area near North Clinton Avenue and just south of St. Michael's Church. A separate city-owned lot at 12 Hoeltzer Street was converted into community green space with gardens, walking paths, a playground and picnic pavilion. 

Phase I offers nineteen apartments reserved for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have access to supportive services provided by the Ibero-American Action League.  

The developer for both Pueblo Nuevo phases is the Ibero-American Development Corporation, the development arm of the Ibero-American Action League, Inc.   

State investment in Pueblo Nuevo Phase II included Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that generated $9 million in equity and an additional $3.5 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. NYSERDA provided $92,400 in support through the Low-rise New Construction Program.    

HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "The two-phase Pueblo Nuevo development replaced run-down structures and vacant parcels with 104 modern and energy efficient homes for individuals and families, and a brand-new community center that will benefit everyone who calls the diverse and culturally-rich neighborhood home. This comprehensive neighborhood-wide investment will strengthen El Camino's local economy and provide residents with the resources and quality housing opportunities they need to succeed. We are grateful to the Ibero-American Action League for their vision in making this project a reality, and to Governor Hochul for her drive to increase the supply of affordable housing across the State."   

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA, said, "The Pueblo Nuevo Apartments offer Rochester's low-income and vulnerable residents a new affordable and supportive housing option that incorporates high performance energy efficiency features, which help to provide a healthier and more comfortable living environment and bring down energy costs. Through projects like this one, we are ramping up our efforts to build climate-friendly buildings while ensuring that all New Yorkers benefit equitably in the transition to a clean energy economy." 

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, "Supportive housing is a critical component of our efforts to reduce housing instability statewide. These new apartments will provide chronically homeless individuals with the support and assistance on which they can rely to remain stably housed. Governor Hochul continues to demonstrate her unwavering commitment to reducing homelessness statewide through her support for programs like the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, which provides vital capital for projects like Pueblo Nuevo." 

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, "I am thrilled to see the completion of Pueblo Nuevo Phase II. New York State is proud to have contributed to this crucial project to create low-income and supportive housing here in Rochester. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for the families that will call Pueblo Nuevo home, and the revitalization of this neighborhood." 

Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, "I am grateful to see a clear investment towards improving living conditions for members of our community. We must uplift disenfranchised members of our community by providing sustainable homes. Safe, clean, and affordable housing is a basic necessity that too many community members and families continue to be denied. A dignified home is essential for building generational wealth and escaping the cycle of poverty. I want to thank the Ibero-American Development Corporation for their commitment to our neighborhoods and the welfare of our families. I am hopeful that Pueblo Nuevo II will continue to deliver effective resources and dependable homes for the most vulnerable residents of our community."

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, "Stable and affordable housing is a vital resource and key to making all our communities healthier, safer and more prosperous - which why the completion of Pueblo Nuevo Phase II is a bright spot for the future of City residents. Thank you to Gov. Kathy Hochul for your commitment to the City of Rochester and Monroe County." 

Mayor Malik D. Evans said, "The Pueblo Nuevo housing development is furthering the transformation of Rochester's El Camino Neighborhood with unique investments that celebrate the rich heritage and cultures of Rochester's Latinx and New American communities. I am proud of the City of Rochester's support for this project through our partnership with the Ibero American Development Corp. and New York Homes and Community Renewal. Strengthening our neighborhoods is a critical component of vision to create a hope-filled city with an exciting future."

IADC's Executive Vice President Eugenio Marlin said, "With the completion of this phase of Pueblo Nuevo, we continue to fulfill our vision of transforming an area that had been neglected, into a space that includes quality affordable housing and green space that brings families together as community, as well as economic strength to the area. This project with the development of the International Plaza is providing new vitality to the area."  

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 regionally designed plan focuses on 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 State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. 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 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here.