State says $12.6 million Harborbrook Apartments complex opens in Geddes

GEDDES, N.Y. — Harborbrook Apartments, a $12.6 million affordable-housing development adjacent to the Centers at St. Camillus in Geddes, has opened.

Developed by Christopher Community, Inc., Harborbrook Apartments provides 60 affordable homes for age 55 and older, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) said in a news release.

Syracuse–based Christopher Community is a nonprofit development and management company specializing in housing for seniors, families, and the disabled in upstate New York.

The development will provide support services for seniors or residents at risk of homelessness in 20 of the apartments, which is funded through the state’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, per the release.

HCR provided a $2.8 million loan through the supportive housing opportunities program and a $912,000 loan through the middle-income housing program. Awards of federal and state low-income housing tax credits generated about $9 million for the project, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided a grant of $56,000.

“The need for this type of supportive housing project was evident from the response by all who were involved,” Kelly Besaw, VP for property development at Christopher Community, Inc., said in the release. “This was the best form of collaboration. Everyone from St. Camillus, our service partner, to the Town of Geddes, the municipality and the funders from New York State Homes and Community Renewal and [New York State] Department of Health could see the vision for this project from day one and were nothing but supportive. Christopher Community has always been an expert in developing and managing senior housing. This project takes it to the next level. We created something truly special and developed a supportive housing and aging in place model that we hope to replicate in other areas of Upstate New York. The ability to live independently is something that no one wants to let go of.”

The state’s investment in Harborbrook Apartments complements CNY Rising, the region’s economic-development blueprint, by increasing access to affordable housing that provides supportive services to help residents live independently in their community.

Since 2011, HCR has invested $190 million in Central New York that has created or preserved affordable housing for about 7,700 residents.

“Harborbrook Apartments and The Centers at St. Camillus Campus are providing our seniors and other vulnerable neighbors with an affordable home and the support services they need to live in the community they love while avoiding costly nursing home and hospital care. When we expand opportunities for safe, secure homes for all New Yorkers, we strengthen our economy and keep Central New York rising,” RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, said in the release.

About the project

Harborbrook Apartments was designed using an “aging in place” model that provides “accessible, affordable housing to help individuals remain independent at home, rather than residing in nursing homes or hospitals,” per the HCR release.

The development features a “centrally located” elevator, handrails on both sides of hallways, roll-in showers and grab bars, “easily” adjustable/removable cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms, wide doorways and hallways, non-slip surfaces, lever handles, and no-step entryways.

Amenities include a community room, “Energy Star” air conditioning and laundry facilities, a dishwasher in each apartment, computer lab, and outdoor patio and garden space.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com