Governor Hochul Announces Completion of 41-Unit Affordable and Supportive Housing Development in Elmira

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced completion of Reynolds Way Apartments in the city of Elmira. The scattered site development converted four historic buildings into 41 apartments, including 13 with supportive services. Located within Elmira's Downtown Revitalization Initiative target area, the development helps achieve the city's goals of restoring historic properties and increasing housing options downtown.

"We are bringing new life to our communities by renovating the historic properties that define them - lifting up neighborhoods for residents and future generations," Governor Hochul said. "The transformation of the Reynolds Way Apartments builds on years of state investment in downtown Elmira that is improving people's lives and building a stronger community for all."

In the last five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved nearly 300 affordable homes in Chemung County. Reynolds Way Apartments continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

Reynolds Way Apartments consists of four previously vacant buildings, known as the Apartments, the Townhomes, the Warehouse, and the Stowell House, that are all located within one block of each other in downtown Elmira. All four buildings, which had been experiencing various stages of blight, have been completely rehabilitated.

The four buildings are within the Elmira Civic Historic District and both the Stowell House and the Warehouse are individually listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

The development includes five studios, 30 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments. All 41 apartments are affordable to households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income.

13 apartments are reserved for families experiencing homelessness who will have access to supportive services and rental subsidies through an Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative award administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

The completed development, which utilizes highly efficient heat and air conditioning systems in all buildings, has obtained the EPA's ENERGY STAR® Multifamily New Construction and Enterprise Green Communities certifications.

The developer and supportive service provider is Arbor Housing and Development.

State financing for the $20 million Reynolds Way Apartments includes $7.5 million in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and $5.8 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation approved $5.7 million in State and Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided $41,000 in New Construction Housing Program incentives.

In addition to boosting the region's Southern Tier Soaring revitalization plan, the new housing development is in sync with the State's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative investment in Elmira's downtown, by helping the city meet a need for workforce housing.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "By revitalizing these four historic buildings, Reynolds Way Apartments is preserving pieces of Elmira's past and repurposing these existing structures to increase the city's housing supply with 41 affordable and supportive homes. Thank you to our partners at Arbor Housing and Development for their work completing this life-changing development, and to Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to the revitalization of Downtown Elmira through targeted investment in projects that deliver results for residents."

New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, "Communities throughout New York are rich with historic properties, some of which have been vacant or underutilized for too long. Not only do they contribute to the character of a neighborhood, but they are also beacons of potential. We are proud to partner on projects to advance the Governor's affordable housing initiative through programs like the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program and help developers find creative ways to reinvest in our communities. Bringing historic properties back online to serve today's needs helps us serve New Yorkers now and into the future."

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "With the completion of the Reynolds Way Apartments, Chemung County residents now have access to affordable housing that incorporates energy efficient features such as ENERGY STAR appliances, high-performance windows, clean heating and cooling equipment, and more, for a safer and comfortable living experience. This project is representative of Governor Hochul's commitment to ensuring equity in the State's clean energy investments as we work to reduce emissions from buildings and create healthier places to live."

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, "The renovation of these four historic properties provides families experiencing homelessness with much-needed stable affordable housing with essential support services that will enable these families to thrive in Elmira. I applaud Governor Hochul for supporting projects like Reynolds Way Apartments that are increasing the supply of permanent supporting housing options for families and helping break the cycle of homelessness across New York State."

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "The Reynolds Way project goes to show how much of an impact the Downtown Revitalization Initiative can have on communities. Once investors and developers see the signs of growth and progress, they want to be a part of the action. This program is a perfect example of leveraging public and private investments to foster economic activity to a community. In addition, this project supports Governor Hochul's housing priorities. So it's a win-win."

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, "Every Elmira resident deserves access to safe, affordable housing, and I am proud the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, that I fought hard to expand, has supplied the millions needed to complete renovations on these long-awaited affordable, accessible apartments for residents and families right in Elmira's downtown. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation so we must build more housing to bring down those high prices. I applaud Governor Hochul's commitment to increasing access to affordable housing across the Empire State, and I will always fight to deliver the federal resources to build the foundation for a brighter future for the Southern Tier."

State Senator Tom O'Mara said, "State investments in quality affordable housing in our communities strengthen the fabric of neighborhoods and the quality of life for residents and families in the city of Elmira and communities across this region and state. The opening of the Reynolds Way Apartments will deliver critical short- and long-term benefits to help its residents and their families continue to reclaim their lives and rebuild a stronger future for themselves and the community at large."

City of ElmiraMayor Dan Mandell said, "I am very pleased to see the completion of the Reynolds Way Apartment project undertaken by Arbor Housing and Development. The transformation of once dilapidated properties into much needed housing for the community will have a very positive impact on this downtown neighborhood. The project aligns closely with the city's planning efforts including our form-based zoning codes, updated under the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Many thanks to New York State Homes and Community Renewal; New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation; NYSERDA; Empire State Development Corporation; and our many local development partners who helped make this transformative project a reality."

Arbor Housing and Development President & CEO Susan Bull said, "Arbor Housing and Development is honored to be part of the extraordinary team that brought this four-building property from blight to right, so that individuals in Elmira can realize an enhanced quality of life through safe, affordable, and supportive housing."

Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring
Today's announcement complements "Southern Tier Soaring," the region's comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving next-generation innovation. More information is available here.

Contact the Governor's Press Office