August 15, 2018
Intrada Saratoga Springs will Create 157 Homes for Working Families in Growing Area with High-Performing School District
August 15, 2018 – New York State Homes and Community Renewal today announced the start of construction on Intrada Saratoga Springs, $34 million housing development that will create 157 rental apartments across four buildings in the City of Saratoga Springs. Intrada Saratoga Springs will provide much-needed workforce housing with access to high-performing schools, jobs, and transportation. Ten apartments will be set aside for youth aging out of foster care who will have access to on-site support services.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Intrada Saratoga Springs will provide about 370 residents the opportunity to live in safe, affordable homes in a growing area with access to quality schools. When rising housing costs burden families, the local economy suffers. Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s investment in affordable housing, we are creating a more inclusive community in Saratoga Springs and ensuring that all New Yorkers have an affordable place to call home.”
The State’s commitment to providing all New Yorkers with access to safe, affordable housing is reflected in Governor Cuomo’s unprecedented $20 billion, five-year Housing Plan. The plan makes housing accessible and combats homelessness by building and preserving 112,000 units of affordable housing, including 6,000 of supportive housing.
Intrada Saratoga Springs will address a growing need for workforce housing in Saratoga Springs, as identified by the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The rapidly growing city is considered a high opportunity area due to its high-performing school district. The development, located at 249 Washington Street, is close to the Saratoga Springs Amtrak train station, local bus stops, and other amenities.
The development will consist of three four-story buildings with 40 apartments each and one three-story building with 38 apartments. The fourth building will also include 6,000 square feet of communal space. There will be 96 one-bedroom units, 44 two-bedroom units, and 18 three-bedroom units. Building amenities include washer/dryer in all apartments, a fitness center, a community room with a kitchen, a study room and a conference room.
CAPTAIN Community Human Services will have office space on site and will provide case management and other services for the ten supportive units. Funding for these units is part of Governor Cuomo’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative that is combating homelessness across New York State. CAPTAIN Community Human Services will provide supportive services including case management for these young adults.
Intrada Saratoga Springs’s design will incorporate energy-efficient design features that will result in 15% less energy usage than current energy code. Energy-efficient features include Energy Star appliances and lighting, motion-controlled lighting in common spaces, and low-emitting produces to support greater indoor air quality.
New York State’s investment in Intrada Saratoga Springs comes through New York State Homes and Community Renewal programs, including $19 million in tax exempt bonds, $11.5 million in state and federal New Construction Capital program, $2.3 million from HCR’s Middle Income Housing Program, and low income housing tax credits that will generate more than $7.2 million in equity for the project.
Intrada Saratoga Springs is developed by Vecino Group. The group currently owns six affordable housing developments with more than 250 units, including HCR-financed Hudson Art House Lofts and Asteri Utica.
CAPTAIN Community Human Services is a grass-roots human services agency that supports and empowers people of all ages in Saratoga County and beyond to reach their goals of personal growth and self-sufficiency.
Assembly Member Carrie Woerner said, “Affordable, stable housing for our local workforce is critical to sustaining and developing our economy here in the Saratoga area. I applaud Governor Cuomo’s commitment to workforce development in our region as well as to supportive housing for our most vulnerable community members.”
Saratoga County Board of Legislators Chair Ed Kinowski said, “Affordable housing is an important part of the residential mix in Saratoga County. This project would help those working in our service sector, boosting our local economy, and ensuring that more people can afford to live in our growing and thriving communities. I applaud the Vecino Group and the New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal for turning this plan into a reality and providing affordable housing in Saratoga Springs.”
Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly said, "For many years, the City has worked to increase its affordable housing resources to bring a diversity of options to a greater range of young persons and families. This project reinforces the success that comes from a true partnership. It is made possible through the collaborative financial efforts of the development sponsors with assistance from New York State and the City of Saratoga Springs. Programming efforts include a partnership with Captain Community Human Services - a community organization that supports and empowers people of all ages in Saratoga County, and beyond, to reach their goals of personal growth and self-sufficiency. This effort also represents the beginning of a new phase for the historic west side of Saratoga Springs. With the Rail station as the hub, this development begins the creation of a new neighborhood, and the creation of a new mixed-use neighborhood center that will include more, and varied, housing options, office space, retail and service outlets, and recreational opportunities to serve the existing and new residents of this growing section of the City."
Rick Manzardo, President, Vecino Group, said, “Saratoga’s need for affordable housing was substantial. This development will go a long way towards meeting the need while also preventing homelessness for youth exiting the foster care system. It’s an important step for the community and the state of New York.”
Sue Catroppa, Executive Director for CAPTAIN Community Human Services, said, "CAPTAIN Community Human Services is honored and thrilled to be part of this important project that will provide supportive housing to young adults who are transitioning out of foster care or other situations where they have few, if any resources. They will have a safe place to live while we provide guidance and assistance to help them successfully transition into a self-sufficient adulthood."
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