December 17, 2019 – New York State Homes and Community Renewal and the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities today announced the completion of a $9 million affordable housing development in the town of Plattsburgh. Connecticut Court features 40 apartments for families, including 10 supportive homes for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Connecticut Court was built on a vacant 5.3-acre parcel on land formerly used for Plattsburgh Air Force Base housing.
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Connecticut Court is a prime example of Governor Cuomo’s commitment to expanding affordable housing opportunities across the state and providing supportive services to our fellow New Yorkers who need them in order to live independently. Thanks to our state and local partners, we have transformed long vacant land in the Town of Plattsburgh into a beautiful new development with 40 modern apartments. This investment builds upon our efforts to boost the local economy in Plattsburgh with new development activity and improve access to quality affordable housing for residents. With Connecticut Court, we are providing stable housing for families and helps individuals with disabilities experience the pride that accompanies having a home to call your own.”
OPWDD Commissioner Theodore Kastner, MD, MS, said, “We are excited to have been part of this project, along with Governor Cuomo, our fellow state agencies and our provider partners and families, which increases the opportunities for safe, affordable housing for people we support in the North Country. Expanding community-based residential opportunities provides New Yorkers with developmental disabilities more opportunities to participate as valued members of their communities.”
Connecticut Court consists of eight one- and two-story residential buildings with a total of 40 apartments that were designed to complement the residential character of the community.
Ten of the apartments are reserved for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who will receive on site supportive services funded by OPWDD. Four apartments will be reserved with persons with a physical disability or traumatic brain injury.
Rents are affordable to households earning at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income. HCR will provide Section 8 Project Based Vouchers for eight households and OPWDD will provide project-based rental subsidy for an additional 10 households.
Connecticut Court is a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The development also includes a central building with a community room, laundry facilities, kitchen and an office. The development is located near public transportation with a bus shelter at the corner of the property.
The developer and supportive service provider is the Advocacy and Resource Center, which is the Clinton Country Chapter of The Arc New York. Supportive services include vocational training and community integration programs.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’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 or preserving more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 with supportive services.
Since 2011, HCR has invested more than $95 million in the North Country region that has created or preserved over 1,900 affordable homes for nearly 4,500 residents.
State funding for the project included federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that generated $5.8 million in equity and an additional $2 million in subsidy from HCR’s Housing Trust Fund. OPWDD provided $1.1 million in capital financing. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided $45,000. Senator Betty Little said, “Affordable housing, including supportive services for those with disabilities, is an essential need in all of our communities. As chair of the Housing Committee in the State Senate, I was pleased to partner with my legislative colleagues, Governor Cuomo and the teams at HCR and OPWDD to make funding available for developments like Connecticut Court here in Plattsburgh. Each of these helps individuals and families struggling financially to live safely, securely and with some pride in their home.”
Assemblyman Billy Jones said, “Investing in affordable and accessible living spaces is a critical aspect of ensuring our family members and loved ones can safely stay in the community they call home. I’m grateful to HCR and OPWDD for their help in bringing this impressive new facility to Plattsburgh families. When we look out for our most vulnerable, we strengthen our entire community, and these new units do just that. This is a great victory for the North Country.”
Clinton County Legislature Chairman Harry J. McManus said, “The announcement of the completion of the Connecticut Court affordable residential development is welcome news, and many organizations and agencies deserve thanks for making this project possible. It is hard to imagine a better legacy for use of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base than providing housing opportunities to low income individuals as well as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Housing is a basic need, and this project truly enriches our community.”
Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael S. Cashman said, “This an important project and welcome addition to our town. Connecticut Court provides critical; affordable, safe, and multi-purpose housing such as residential opportunities for community members with disabilities. It has been a pleasure to work with the ARC and Governor Cuomo’s teams at Homes and Community Renewal and Office for People With Developmental Disabilities to make this vital project a reality. The Town of Plattsburgh continues to make these projects a priority and looks forward to future partnerships.”
Robin A. Pierce, Executive Director, Advocacy and Resource Center
Clinton County Chapter, The Arc New York, said, “This is an exciting day! It took the great vision and the collaborative work of many people and several public and private agencies to get us to today. We are so thankful for all the support we have received from our elected officials, our funders and the community along the way. We are most proud of being able to meet the vital need of affordable housing in the North Country and as the service provider for many of the residents of Connecticut Court, we are eager to support them in their independence and assist them in living full, rich and successful lives.”