Governor Kathy Hochul announced that construction is complete on a $21.7 million affordable and supportive housing development in Ithaca. The highly energy efficient building known as West End Heights offers 60 apartments, 38 of which are reserved for people in need of support services to live independently.
“Access to quality, affordable and supportive homes where New Yorkers can live and thrive is a cornerstone of my administration,” Governor Hochul said. “I am proud to support projects like West End Heights that promote personal health and a better, greener future for New York.”
West End Heights is part of Governor Hochul’s statewide plan to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable. In the recently enacted State Budget, the Governor successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 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.
West End Heights is a five-story, elevator building with 60 one-bedroom apartments adjacent to Washington Park. Five aging buildings were demolished to clear the site for the new building, which also contains ground floor office space for the developer and supportive service provider, Lakeview Health Services, Inc.
Fifty-four of the apartments are for households earning at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income and six apartments are reserved for those making at or below 60 percent AMI.
Twenty apartments are set aside for people who will have access to rental subsidies and supportive services funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health. An additional 18 apartments funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative will serve formerly homeless individuals who will receive rental subsidies and tailored services, such as counseling and trauma recovery, administered by OMH.
Amenities include laundry facilities, a community room, a lounge area on each floor, courtyard, and 24-hour secured entrance. The development is in a walkable neighborhood and near public bus lines, including ADA Paratransit, and shopping.
