December 5, 2018
Heritage Gardens Creates 82 Affordable Apartments Near Pieters Family Life Center
Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy
December 5, 2018 – New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas today announced the completion of construction on a $16 million affordable and supportive housing development in the Town of Henrietta in Monroe County. Heritage Gardens includes 82 affordable apartments with 17 set aside for persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who will receive on-site support services from Heritage Christian Services.
Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Heritage Gardens creates affordable homes for more than 82 residents, including those in need of support services to live productive and independent lives. The development’s proximity to services and employment opportunities will ensure that both residents and the community continue to thrive and keep the Finger Lakes moving forward.”
The State’s commitment to strengthening communities and growing the Finger Lakes economy is reflected in Finger Lakes Forward, a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative that builds on the more than $6.1 billion the State has injected in the region since 2012. The State’s investment in Heritage Gardens complements Finger Lakes Forward by increasing access to high quality affordable housing that provides supportive services to help residents live independently in their community.
Heritage Gardens is across the street from The Pieters Family Life Center, providing residents with easy access to its programs, which include counseling, occupational, speech, and physical therapy, support groups, and art and music therapy. The site is also adjacent to Frontier Commons Plaza, which is home to the Bryant & Stratton vocational educational campus, retail, offices, restaurants, and a supermarket.
The three-story, 82,500 square foot building’s amenities include a community room with kitchen, tenant storage, a resident lounge, computer room, laundry room, and outdoor playground. Each apartment has a patio or balcony. The project was co-developed by Home Leasing, Heritage Christian Services, and Edgemere Development.
Energy efficient features include high efficiency gas-fired furnaces, Energy Star appliances, low flow plumbing fixtures and toilets, LED light fixtures.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s financing for Heritage Gardens includes $2.9 million in tax-exempt bonds, federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate a total of $4.9 million for the project, and an additional $4.4 million in subsidy. The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities provided $1.7 million. Additional financing was provided by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and Monroe County HOME funds.
The State’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 of supportive housing. The plan is a comprehensive approach to statewide housing issues and includes multifamily and single-family housing, community development, and rent stabilization. Since 2011, HCR has invested $442 million in the Finger Lakes region that has created affordable housing for about 14,650 residents.
NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Acting Commissioner Kerry A. Delaney said, “We are pleased to be partnering again with Homes and Community Renewal and other funders who provided financial support for this project that will help to change many lives for the better. With 17 one-bedroom apartments dedicated to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this housing complex will help to ensure that the people we support have the opportunity to live as contributing members of their communities, while receiving the supports and services they want and need.”
Senator Patrick Gallivan said, “I congratulate everyone involved in making this project possible. Heritage Gardens not only provides much needed secure and supportive housing for our residents, it promotes independence and helps build a more inclusive community.”
Assemblyman Harry Bronson said, “Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to live, and these new apartments will give more families a place to call home. As the holiday season begins and we join together with our loved ones, I am excited to see this project increase the number of families who will call Henrietta home. I applaud New York State Homes and Community Renewal, along with all of the state and federal partners who helped to make this project a reality.”
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, "The opening of Heritage Gardens in Henrietta creates another affordable housing option for residents who want to remain in our community. As County Executive, I am committed to enhancing our community’s quality of life and supporting stronger families, which is why Monroe County is proud to be a partner in this project. I would like to thank Heritage Christian Services for investing in our County, local economy and workforce while also serving the needs of individuals with disabilities in our community."
Henrietta Town Supervisor Stephen Shultz said, “With a rising cost of living, we are fortunate to have organizations like Home Leasing and Heritage Christian Services who build affordable housing in Henrietta with projects like Heritage Gardens and others.”
Nelson Leenhouts, Chairman and CEO of Home Leasing, said, “I am so happy to welcome the residents who now call Heritage Gardens their home. Home Leasing is proud to provide 82 affordable homes, including 17 apartments to people with disabilities who will now be able to lead a more independent lifestyle. I am grateful to all our partners including New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the Town of Henrietta, and Heritage Christian Services, who have offered their expertise and dedication throughout the entire process.”
Marisa Geitner, CEO of Heritage Christian Services, said, “We are thrilled to see the outcome of this longstanding partnership. Together we have increased the opportunity for accessible, safe, affordable housing for the community. Its proximity to our wellness center, The Pieters Family Life Center, along with close access to transportation, grocery, banking, health care and many employment options, only enriches the opportunity for community engagement and success for the tenants. We are thrilled to see this asset develop for our community.”
Charlie Oster, VP of Real Estate Development at Edgemere Development, said, “Edgemere Development is thrilled to see the completion of Heritage Gardens. We worked for many years to bring about this critical project thanks to the strong commitment from our partners at Home Leasing and Heritage Christian Services. We are grateful to be a part of this team and wish to extend our thanks to everyone at the Town, County and State Agencies for making this possible.”
About Home Leasing
Rochester-based Home Leasing, LLC specializes in the development, construction and management of high-quality apartment communities. Founded in 2006 by veteran real estate developer and former co-CEO and co-Chairman of Home Properties Nelson Leenhouts, the company is owned and operated by 3 generations of the Leenhouts Family. Home Leasing today employs over 100 people who provide support to or are directly involved in the day-to-day operations of affordable, mixed-income and market rate residential communities across New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
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 $6.1 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. 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 Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in.
Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward 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 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here.