Jefferson, Steuben County housing projects win state funds

Supportive-housing projects in Jefferson and Steuben counties are among five recently awarded a total of $36 million in state funding. The money targets projects focused on individuals and families who have dealt with homelessness, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Sept. 13. Besides Jefferson and Steuben counties, housing projects in Monroe, Erie, and Kings counties were also awarded funding. “From Brooklyn to Watertown, these diverse projects across New York demonstrate our commitment to invest in housing that strengthens our communities and makes every region of our state a safer, healthier, and more affordable place to live,” Hochul said in the announcement. “The supportive housing created through these projects will provide formerly homeless New Yorkers with safe, stable homes and the services they need to thrive in their communities.” The grants — awarded through a competitive process by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) Homeless Housing and Assistance (HHAP) Program —are an important component of Governor Hochul’s $25 billion comprehensive housing plan that will help create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York state, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations.

Project details

New York State awarded DePaul Properties, Inc. and DePaul Community Services, Inc. $14.5 million to develop 70 units of permanent supportive housing in Watertown. The housing is meant for individuals with serious mental illness, veterans, and individuals ages 55 and older who have dealt with homelessness. Pine Camp Apartments is part of a larger project that proposes the new construction of a four-story building that will include laundry facilities, a community room, and exterior central courtyard. Support services will be provided by DePaul Community Services and Eagle Star Housing, Inc. “The support of Governor Hochul, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, and our other community partners and funders, has been integral in ensuring the construction of the Pine Camp Apartments in the city of Watertown,” Mark Fuller, president of DePaul Properties, said in the state’s announcement. “DePaul looks forward to the opportunity to uplift vulnerable populations in Jefferson County, providing the housing stability needed for individuals to live with dignity and support.” In Steuben County, the state awarded Providence Housing Development Corporation $1.9 million to develop eight units of permanent supportive housing in Bath for individuals with serious mental illness or substance-use disorder who have dealt with homelessness. Part of a larger project, the Dana Lyon Apartments involves the preservation and adaptive reuse of the former Dana L. Lyon Elementary School building. The project will include on-site laundry facilities, service-office space, a management office, exercise room, community room, and playground and outdoor greenspace. It also involves commercial space that will be leased for the operation of a community arts center. Support services will be provided by Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston on site and through other community organizations via linkage agreements. “Providence Housing Development Corporation is excited to partner with New York State to provide supportive housing at the Dana Lyon Apartments development project, which will rehabilitate and preserve a long-vacant former school on historic Liberty Street,” Mark Greisberger, executive director of the Providence Housing Development Corporation said in the state’s announcement. “This funding award will help provide safe, clean housing that is close to public transportation, many stores, restaurants, and personal services in the beautiful Village of Bath.”