Community View Apartments, a new affordable and supportive housing project for seniors, has opened in the Village of Morrisville, Madison County. The $19 million development offers 61 one-bedroom apartments for New Yorkers aged 55 and older. Twenty of these units are designated for frail elderly residents who have experienced homelessness and require supportive services to live independently.
Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “All New Yorkers deserve a safe, stable place to call home, and I am committed to building more affordable and supportive housing options for seniors across the state. Our continuing investments in developments like Community View Apartments will provide the affordable homes and vital supportive services older adults need and rely on to live in independent settings.”
Christopher Community, Inc. developed the three-story building. All apartments are designed with features that help residents age in place, such as elevators, hand rails, non-slip surfaces, adjustable cabinetry, wide hallways, roll-in showers, no-step entries, and an emergency call system. The location is near a health center, retail outlets, and a library.
Funding for operating the supportive apartments comes from the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative through the New York State Department of Health. The adjacent Crouse Community Center provides support services including service coordination, independent living skills training, medication management, wellness activities, and transportation.
State funding sources include $11.9 million from New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program; $3.8 million from its Supportive Housing Opportunity Program; $2.8 million from the Office for Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program; and $244,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) New Construction – Housing Program.
Of the 61 units available at Community View Apartments—20 are set aside for frail elderly individuals; 10 are fully accessible for those with mobility impairments; four accommodate hearing or vision disabilities.
The building meets requirements set by NYSERDA’s New Construction – Housing program by being all-electric and energy efficient. It is also certified under EPA ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction standards.
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, more than 160 affordable homes have been financed in Madison County through New York State Homes and Community Renewal programs. In Central New York overall—including Madison County—over 3,700 homes have been financed as part of ongoing efforts to create or preserve affordable housing statewide.
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said: “The opening of Community View Apartments provides older adults who have experienced homelessness with stable, modern homes and direct access to essential services they need to age with dignity and thrive in their community. The personal health, wellness, and transportation support services provided will enrich the lives of residents and the surrounding Morrisville area. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her strong support of the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program and for prioritizing the creation of permanent supportive housing options across New York State.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas added: “By utilizing over $15 million in HCR support, Community View Apartments creates 61 safe, affordable, and supportive homes for seniors in Madison County. This development will better ensure that residents, including those who have faced homelessness, can live with dignity and access the services they need to thrive in the community that they call home. Thank you to our partners at OTDA and NYSERDA for making this day possible and for working side-by-side with us to implement Governor Hochul’s housing agenda.”
Doreen M. Harris of NYSERDA commented: “All New Yorkers deserve access to healthy, affordable, energy efficient living spaces. The Community View Apartments in Madison County will ensure that residents enjoy the far-reaching benefits of improved indoor air quality and comfort resulting from innovative clean energy and cost-saving technologies.”
Dr. James McDonald from the Department of Health said: “The lack of housing can negatively impact an individual’s overall health and wellbeing and is a crucial social determinant of health…It highlights our ongoing work to improve health equity…and Governor Hochul’s continuing leadership…ensure vulnerable individuals…will have access to housing that will be safe…and supportive.”
Jeff Eysaman from Christopher Community noted: “Community View Apartments represents our mission in action — creating high-quality, affordable…housing that empowers seniors…We’re grateful to New York State…for helping make this vision a reality in Madison County.”
Town of Eaton Supervisor Joe Wicks stated: “The Town of Eaton is grateful to have accessible housing for our residents…Projects like this are what make communities great…Congratulations to all involved.”
Governor Hochul’s broader housing plan aims to address affordability issues throughout New York State through new tax incentives; capital funding; protections for renters/homeowners; pilot programs such as Housing Access Voucher; policies improving tenant/homebuyer affordability; Pro-Housing certification offering localities exclusive access to discretionary state funds; as well as initiatives like electrification upgrades on additional homes statewide.
This announcement supports “CNY Rising,” Central New York’s strategy focused on economic growth through entrepreneurship development https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/cnyrising.
