Governor Cuomo Announces Opening of $17 Million Affordable Housing Development in The Village of Perry

Statement

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of DePaul's Knitting Mill Apartments, a 48-apartment, $17 million affordable housing development in the Village of Perry. More than half of the apartments are reserved for individuals eligible for onsite supportive services that offer job training and promote stability, health and independent living. The Knitting Mill Apartments are part of the Finger Lakes Forward initiative; increasing access to high quality, supportive and affordable housing helping residents to stay in their community and live independently.

"The Knitting Mills Apartments furthers our commitment to Finger Lakes Forward by providing affordable housing and job training opportunities," Governor Cuomo said. "These apartments will create safe and stable homes for individuals and families who need them most."

The 48 new apartments are available to households with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income. Thirty-four of the apartments are available to tenants with a history of homelessness who will have access to supportive services and rent subsidies through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, part of the Governor's $20 billion, five-year housing plan. The plan creates combats homelessness by building and preserving more than 100,000 units of affordable housing and 6,000 of supportive housing.

"This investment continues our commitment to add and preserve affordable housing options for New Yorkers," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "DePaul's Knitting Mill Apartments in Perry will provide affordable units for residents in addition to supportive services and job training to promote healthy, independent and stable lifestyles. The development is part of our overall efforts to provide high-quality housing and strengthen the economy to keep moving the Finger Lakes Forward."

The Knitting Mill Apartments amenities include a community room, lounges, computer labs, laundry rooms, shared outdoor space and office areas. The name pays tribute to the Perry Knitting Company and the building originally known as Mill No. 1, which was erected in 1882. The Perry Knitting Company closed in 1914. The mill was later transformed into a manufacturing plant for Champion Products, a sportswear apparel company with headquarters in Rochester, New York for 70 years.

Financing for the project includes federal low-income housing tax credits administered through New York State Homes and Community Renewal, which will generate nearly $11 million in equity. Additionally, HCR will provide funding of approximately $4.1 million through its Supportive Housing Opportunity Program. The New York State Office of Mental Health will provide $850,000 in annual services and operating funds to support the 34 ESSHI supportive housing units, in addition to a $203,000 Program Development Grant. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided a $48,000 grant.

Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "DePaul's Knitting Mill Apartments has transformed a vacant, historic building in the Village of Perry into 48 affordable and supportive homes. When we provide individuals with access to services in a caring environment, we can ensure that they remain safely housed and live successful lives. Governor Cuomo understands that targeted investments like this one can revitalize communities, reduce homelessness and keep the Finger Lakes moving forward."

Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Governor Cuomo's commitment to supportive housing is providing vulnerable New Yorkers with stable, affordable housing, giving them the opportunity to thrive in their own community. The 34 supportive units in DePaul's Knitting Mill Apartments will help people on their road to recovery by giving them the services they need in their very own homes."

Chairman of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors A.D Berwanger said, "On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, any time an individual, agency or the State makes an investment in Wyoming County, it always is welcome. This will raise the bar of the standard of living for the residents and that is a good thing."

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said, "Knitting Mill Apartments will provide affordable housing options for individuals in need of supportive services. By making it possible for more people to live independently, projects like this help enhance the quality of life for all residents of our community."

Assemblyman David DiPietro said, "I am incredibly pleased to see a brand new modern apartment complex opening up in Perry. Increasing the quality of life among our residents is something we as legislators should focus on heavily. I'm hopeful that these projects will help modernize more of our areas and bring Western New York into the 21st Century."

Village of Perry Mayor Rick Hauser said, "We are excited that this adaptive re-use of an important local landmark into a vital and welcome resource will knit an entire neighborhood together. It serves as a community model, supports our residents, and helps us to stabilize and restore population. Thank you to DePaul and our state and local partners for working together with us to complete this new development."

DePaul Properties President Mark H. Fuller said, "DePaul is pleased to be a community partner in meeting the need for quality affordable housing options in Wyoming County and throughout New York State. We wish to thank Governor Cuomo and the State for providing DePaul with the funding that has made it possible for us to provide homes for people in need. The DePaul Knitting Mill Apartments are an example of progress and partnership in action."

Partners on the Knitting Mill Apartments include New York Homes and Community Renewal, New York State Office of Mental Health, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, DePaul, SWBR Architects, LECESSE Construction, Five Star Bank and Red Stone Equity Partners.

About DePaul Properties, Inc.

DePaul Properties, Inc. creates and operates attractive, affordable housing solutions in urban, suburban and rural settings within environments that promote respectful community relationships. A progressive, private not-for-profit organization founded in 1958, DePaul is committed to providing quality services including assisted living services for seniors; residential and support services to persons with mental illness in recovery, some of whom have a history of homelessness; addiction prevention and support services, vocational programs and affordable housing. DePaul assists individuals in achieving their optimum level of independence and success in the environment of their choice, while remaining sensitive to assessed community needs and available resources.

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 $6.1 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.

Since 2011, HCR has invested $442 million in the Finger Lakes region, which has created affordable housing for about 14,650 residents.

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.

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