UTICA — Local and state officials were joined by members of the Utica community Monday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of a $13.8 million affordable and supportive housing complex.
The West Street Apartments has 42 units dedicated to low-income working families, including 11 units to support individuals recovering from mental illness and six units for homeless individuals and families.
Built on a site that once was a vacant three-story apartment building, the complex will be managed by the Rescue Mission of Utica. The building has a Community Services Center that will be for tenants and the public, while the building also has a learning center, a community clothing room, a food pantry with meal program and a representative payee program.
“This investment in the West Street Apartments continues our efforts to fight homelessness and increase access to quality housing for the most vulnerable New Yorkers,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “This development will offer critical services to Utica residents, while revitalizing the neighborhood and providing stability to those in need.”
Of the 42 apartments, five are fully accessible for people with mobility impairments while another two are adapted for those with hearing or visual impairments.
The project was co-developed by the Rescue Mission of Utica and Edgemere Development, Inc.
To help fund it, the New York State Homes and Community Renewal provided $1.5 million for the community services facility, while another $10.4 million in equity was generated through the agency’s federal tax credit allocated, according to Cuomo’s office. An additional $1.7 million came from the state Office of Temporary Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.
“The West Street Apartments project is a great initiative that was achieved as a result of strong partnerships,” Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri said in a statement. “The project is a win-win for Utica as it involved the removal of a vacant structure that was an eye sore for over 20 years and now consists of affordable housing units for our residents. This type of development is what’s driving Utica’s transformation.”
