July 13, 2017
83-Unit Heritage Gardens Complements Governor Cuomo’s ‘Finger Lakes Forward’ – Region’s Successful Upstate Revitalization Initiative to Grow Economy and Create New Opportunities
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), Home Leasing, LLC, and partners announce the construction on the 83-unit, $16.4 million Heritage Gardens, a new affordable development for low-income households and people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in the Monroe County town of Henrietta. This complements Finger Lakes Forward, Governor Cuomo’s successful revitalization initiative to grow the economy and create new opportunities.
The three-story, 82,500 square foot building at 950 Commons Way will have 83 one- and two- bedroom apartments, with 17 for persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who will receive on-site support services from Heritage Christian Services. The pet-friendly development will include: HFA Green and Energy efficiency measures including heating, cooling and plumbing systems, as well as Energy Star appliances. The development will also offer residents community space and laundry facilities. The building will be ADA accessible. In addition, infrastructure enhancements include a traffic signal with right turn lane at Castle Road and East Henrietta, an entrance road and sidewalk along Commons Way. Frontier Common Plaza adjoins the site which offers convenient shopping and transportation. Construction is expected to be completed next summer.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said,
"Congratulations to Home Leasing and all of the partners who've come together to get this 83-unit development off the ground. Heritage Gardens will not only offer quality homes and support services to help residents thrive, it will enhance the Governor's successful economic development strategies that are creating new opportunities throughout the region and moving the Finger Lakes forward."
New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Acting Commissioner Kerry A. Delaney said: “Secure, affordable supportive housing is the foundation for the fulfilling, community-integrated life we strive to help people achieve. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with our colleagues at HCR to expand and improve supportive housing throughout New York State. Projects like Heritage Gardens build richer lives, more cohesive and diverse communities, and ultimately, an even better and stronger New York.”
Heritage Gardens is being constructed immediately across the street from Heritage Christian's Pieters Family Life Center, a community resource that offers a wide variety of programming for individuals with developmental disabilities and the community as a whole. Residents of Heritage Gardens will be able to take advantage of the varied services provided by Pieters Family Life Center, which include counseling, occupational, speech, and physical therapy, support groups, art/music therapy and more.
The development team includes of Home Leasing, LLC, of Rochester, the developer; Heritage Christian Services co-developer/service provider; Home Leasing Construction, of Rochester, general contractor; Glasow Simmons, of Rochester, architecture; Parrone Engineering, of Rochester, civil engineer; Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), investor and Citizens Bank, credit enhancer.
The total development cost for the project is $16.4 million. The project was financed by HCR as well as state, local and national partners. HCR’s Housing Finance Agency is providing $8 million in tax-exempt bond financing towards the construction of the project. At project completion, permanent financing will consist of a $2.3 million loan from HCR’s Supportive Housing Opportunity Program; $2.1 million loan from HCR’s Homes for Working Families Program and $4.9 million of Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity. In addition, the project will receive nearly $3 million from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), $1 million from the New York State Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, and a $300,000 loan from Monroe County.
Senator Patrick Gallivan said, “This is an exciting day for Henrietta and all of Monroe County. This project will help address the housing needs of members of our community by providing state of the art units and the support services they need. I look forward to the completion of the project next summer.”
Assemblyman Harry Bronson said, “I would like to thank Home Leasing, Heritage Christian Services, New York State, Monroe County and the town of Henrietta for their partnership on this project. Today marks that next step in building a supportive, accessible and inclusive neighborhood that will stand as a beacon for other communities.
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, Today’s groundbreaking ceremony for Heritage Gardens Apartments showcases another affordable housing option for residents who want to remain in our community. Monroe County is proud to be a supporter of this project and I am thankful to Home Leasing and Heritage Christian Services for investing in our county, local economy and workforce while also serving the needs of individuals with disabilities in our community.”
Nelson Leenhouts, Chairman & CEO of Home Leasing said, “Home Leasing is so pleased to partner with Heritage Christian Services in the development of Heritage Gardens. Together we have planned and sought the opportunities provided to us by New York State and our local offices at Monroe County and the Town of Henrietta. Through this grand collaboration, we are able to provide quality, affordable housing to our community’s residents.”
Helene Caloir, Director of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s Housing Stabilization Fund said, “Heritage Gardens is affordable housing at its best and LISC is thrilled to help fund it. Congratulations to Home Leasing and to Heritage Christian Services for breaking ground on housing for families and for developmentally disabled adults – a place for them to create a community together.”
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 $3.4 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.
About New York State Homes and Community Renewal
NYS Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) housing and community development agencies work to create, preserve and improve affordable homes and vibrant communities, in keeping with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s vision of a more inclusive, affordable, sustainable, and resilient New York. In 2016, HCR set a record for the third year in a row, financing the creation or preservation of more than 17,000 affordable homes and apartments, creating nearly 2,000 homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers, and was once again the #1 affordable housing bond issuer in the nation with $2.8 billion issued. For more information on HCR agencies, programs and initiatives, please visit: https://hcr.ny.gov/
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 three 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.
About Heritage Christian Services
HCS partners with thousands of people throughout Rochester and Buffalo to ensure everyone – including children and people with developmental disabilities – feels valued and respected. Most of the agency’s more than 2,000 employees work directly with people who have disabilities so they can find the best place to live and work and build strong community connections. HCS is recognized as one of New York’s top four service providers for people with disabilities, has earned national accreditation and won a prestigious local award for business ethics.
###