Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of a $12.8 million affordable and supportive housing development in the town of Cicero in Onondaga County. Spring Village consists of 50 new energy-efficient apartments for adults 55 and over. Ten apartments include support services to help individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities live independently. The project was developed by CDS Housing, Inc.
"Spring Village and similar developments across the state have the power to transform people's lives," Governor Cuomo said. "By investing in affordable senior and supportive housing, we are strengthening families and our communities in Central New York and beyond."
The Governor's commitment to providing all New Yorkers with access to safe, affordable housing is reflected in the State's unprecedented $20 billion, five-year Housing Plan. The plan makes housing accessible and combats homelessness by building or preserving more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 with supportive services.
Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested more than $231 million in the Central New York Region that has created or preserved nearly 3,500 affordable homes for over 8,000 residents.
Spring Village consists of a newly constructed, two-story building with one- and two-bedroom apartments. Five of the 50 homes are fully accessible for residents with physical disabilities, and two homes are adapted for persons with visual or hearing impairments. Spring Village is near a Centro bus route with easy access to shopping and community services.
The complex includes an elevator, laundry room on each floor, lounge, fitness room, computer stations and individual storage units. Appliances and light fixtures are Energy Star-rated as are windows and doors. Spring Village takes part in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's Low-Rise New Construction Program. Most apartments are affordable to households at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income.
CDS Housing is partnering with the Cayuga Centers to provide on-site case management and service coordination for residents of the 10 apartments funded by the New York State Office of People With Developmental Disabilities.
HCR funding for Spring Village is through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits which leveraged $7.8 million in equity and $3.4 million through the Housing Trust Fund. In addition, OPWDD provided $1.8 million and NYSERDA $50,000. The CDS Wolf Foundation provided $75,000.
The State's investment in Spring Village also supports the Governor's "Health Across All Policies and Age-Friendly State" initiative by preserving affordable homes for seniors. The initiative is a collaborative approach that integrates health considerations into policymaking across all sectors to improve community health and wellness.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "The investment in Spring Village is another concrete example of the Governor's commitment to expanding affordable housing opportunities in Central New York and around the state. This development is a strong vote of confidence in the future of Cicero and its revitalization efforts that keeps Central New York rising. Spring Village provides 50 safe, modern and comfortable homes enabling people who need them most to age in place in the community they love. We are grateful for our partnership with CDS Housing on the development of this project and many others that are helping New Yorkers live independently."
New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Theodore Kastner, M.D., M.S. said, "Projects like Spring Village, that provide the opportunity for integrated living, empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be participating members of their communities. OPWDD is pleased to be partnering again with Homes and Community Renewal and other funders in this venture, which is yet another step forward in Governor Cuomo's plan to increase residential opportunities in the state."
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Alicia Barton said, "Spring Village exemplifies how energy efficiency measure can benefit some of New York's most vulnerable citizens by providing clean, affordable and healthy living spaces. Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, Central New York Rising is revitalizing the region through comprehensive strategies that incorporate clean energy while reducing harmful carbon emissions to create safer, greener communities for years to come."
Acting Director of the New York State Office for the Aging Greg Olsen said, “Access to safe, affordable housing is critical to living with autonomy in the community. This investment in Spring Village will help the older residents of Cicero stay connected to the vital community resources they need to remain healthy and engaged, and furthers New York’s commitment as the first age-friendly state in the nation.”
Senator Rachel May said, "Spring Village is exactly the type of project that we need to see more of across New York. Seniors and those in the disability community need access to quality, affordable housing in all corners of our state. I am proud to see this project come to fruition in my district and I will work hard to ensure New York State continues to make these needed investments in our communities."
Assembly Member Albert Stirpe said, "So many of us depend on affordable and accessible living spaces to ensure our aging family members and loved ones with disabilities stay safe and independent. As the stepfather of a daughter with disabilities, I'm especially grateful for this $12.8 million investment in Spring Village in the Town of Cicero and thank the Governor, HCR and OPWDD for helping make it a reality. These new, energy-efficient apartments not only help some of our most vulnerable stay in the community they call home, but also continue our commitment to boosting Central New York's economy and development."
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, "Providing affordable and accommodating housing for members of our community is a top priority of my administration. Thank you to New York State for being a consistent partner in progress for Central New York in this effort."
Onondaga County Legislator Tim Burtis said, "After over a year of hard work, I am thrilled to see Spring Village Apartments opening its doors. It is a first-of-its-kind project in Onondaga County providing an affordable housing option for seniors and people with disabilities. Projects like Spring Village show our commitment to the Cicero community and its residents."
Cicero Town Supervisor Mark Venesky said, "In October of 2018, we came together to announce a very special $12.8 million-dollar project that would provide for our seniors and those for members of our community who deserve a little extra help. We went from blueprints, to approvals, to financing to ribbon cutting in just 29 months. And today, we open this 'first of its kind' project Onondaga County.' I want to thank CDS housing, Governor Cuomo and his teams at HCR and OPWDD, Onondaga County and the forward-thinking team in the Town of Cicero for partnering to make this exciting and necessary project a reality in such a short period of time".
CDS Life Transitions President and CEO Sankar Sewnauth said, "Spring Village is an exciting opportunity to continue our mission of offering affordable housing throughout New York State. Decent, affordable housing is a basic right, and CDS Housing is happy to have the support of state and local government to be able to ensure everyone is covered and able to successfully live in their own community without worry. We foresee a bright future here in Cicero and look forward to serving more individuals not just in this community, but across the state."
Accelerating CNY Rising
Today's announcement complements "Central NY Rising," the region's comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $5.6 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan - capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. 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 Syracuse, Oswego and Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in. Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising 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 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here.
About CDS Housing
Celebrating more than 40 years under its parent company, CDS Life Transitions, CDS Housing provides quality, integrated housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities seniors and veterans. To learn more about CDS Housing, visit www.cdshousing.org.