Governor Hochul Announces Completion of 57-Unit Affordable Mixed-Use Development in Ithaca

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of Stately Apartments, a mixed-use development featuring 57-unit affordable homes in Ithaca, Tompkins County. The $32 million project includes supportive apartments with on-site services for residents and ground-floor commercial space. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) has created or preserved nearly 800 affordable homes in Tompkins County. Stately Apartments continues this effort and is part of the Governor's $25 billion five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

"Investing in developments like Stately Apartments where people can live affordably and those who need support can thrive is an important part of my administration's efforts to reduce homelessness, help people overcome challenges, and make New York a more affordable place to live for everyone," Governor Hochul said. "This development offers residents the resources they need and access to everything the vibrant city of Ithaca has to offer. This is how we foster the strong and connected communities that residents deserve."

Homes at Stately Apartments, developed by Visum Development Group, Rockabill Development and Arbor Housing and Development, are available for households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income. Twenty supportive apartments are reserved for eligible tenants struggling with homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence. On-site support services provided by Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga include case management, financial planning, social wellness programming, and trauma-informed support.

Six apartments are fully accessible and adapted for residents with mobility disabilities, and three apartments are fully accessible and adapted for residents with sensory disabilities.

The all-electric building features a variety of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units to accommodate a mix of household sizes. The development also includes a community room, outdoor children's play area, garden, and patio. Stately Apartments is located walking-distance to schools, public transportation, restaurants and small businesses, the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, Ithaca Farmers Market and Ithaca Children's Garden.

Financing for Stately Apartments includes a mix of public and private sources, including Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from HCR that are expected to generate more than $17 million in equity, and more than $6 million in HCR subsidy. The development was also supported by more than $427,000 from the Clean Energy Initiative, a partnership between HCR and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The project is supported by $4 million through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. The supportive apartments are funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, which is also providing more than $2.4 million to support the program. The project also received $100,000 in funding from Tompkins County's Community Housing Development Fund program.

Senator Charles Schumer said, "Every family in Ithaca deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I'm proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit I've fought tirelessly to preserve and expand has delivered millions to build 57 new units at Stately Apartments, including 20 supportive apartments. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation, so we must build more housing for working people to bring down those high prices. I commend Governor Hochul for investing in affordable housing in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes, and I will continue working to secure the federal resources needed to support these efforts and the New Yorkers who depend on them."

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "This $32 million investment prioritizes community and affordability for 57 households. With support services, commercial space, and proximity to local businesses, Stately Apartments is a vital addition to New York's affordable housing stock. Thank you to our partners Rockabill Development, Arbor Housing and Development, and Visum Development Group for bringing this important project to fruition."

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, "The permanent supportive housing units created as part Stately Apartments will provide safe, affordable homes with access to numerous on-site support services that can help families and individuals stabilize their lives. Governor Hochul recognizes that more than brick and mortar is needed to provide stable housing for some of our most vulnerable fellow New Yorkers. We are grateful for the dedication of our state and local partners and look forward to replicating the success of this project in other parts of the state."

New York State Office of Addiction Services And Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, "Ensuring that individuals impacted by substance use disorders have a safe and secure place to call home can be a vital part of their recovery. This program continues Governor Hochul's strong work to expand housing options across New York State by bringing to Ithaca another option for people affected by addiction to find the help and support they need."

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Energy efficiency is essential to creating housing in New York that remains affordable for years to come. The Stately Apartments demonstrate how investing in the replacement of vacant properties with a modern, all-electric mixed-use development can reduce energy demand, help residents manage long-term costs and support neighborhood revitalization."

State Senator Lea Webb said, "Housing is a critical need in our community. The new opening at Stately Apartments is an example of what housing solutions can look like when we focus on affordability and accessibility. Not only does this project center affordability, but several of these units are adapted for those with mobility assistance and those who are hearing and visually impaired. I am very thankful to all those involved and look forward to the positive impact of this housing project in our community."

City of Ithaca Mayor Robert G. Cantelmo said, "I am excited to celebrate the opening of the Stately Apartments in Ithaca's West End. Our administration has been lock-step with the Governor's housing priorities, because we both recognize that quality housing is essential for the health, vibrancy and success of a community. Today's opening aligns closely with the goals of our Downtown Renaissance and contributes significantly to supporting a growing and thriving community. I'd also like to thank Commissioner Visnauskas and the whole HCR team for supporting this excellent project."

Tompkins County Administrator Korsah Kofi Akumfi said, "Stately Apartments will give more residents a place to call home, with access to transportation, county services, and the everyday destinations that help people stay connected to their community. Tompkins County is proud to administer the Community Housing Development Fund on behalf of its funding partners, which invested $100,000 to help make these 57 new homes possible. By pairing housing with supportive services, this development will help residents build stability and reflect what we can accomplish through strong local and state partnerships."

Tompkins County Legislature Chair Shawna Black said, "Projects like the Stately in the City of Ithaca provide sustainable housing options for some of our most vulnerable residents. Investing in permanent supportive housing not only creates a better community - it provides access to services that help people live healthy and productive lives. Thank you to Governor Hochul for recognizing the great need in our community and supporting a project that will create positive change."

Rockabill Development LLC President and CEO Niall Murray said, "Stately Apartments is designed to address Ithaca's need for quality affordable housing while supporting the continued revitalization of the West State Street corridor. The development will bring 57 affordable homes to the neighborhood, including 20 supportive housing units, along with communal amenities and ground-floor commercial space. We're proud to work alongside our partners to advance a project that allows all of Ithaca's residents the opportunity to access the local businesses, essential services and community events the city has to offer."

Arbor Housing and Development CEO Susan Bull said, "Arbor Housing and Development is proud to begin leasing Stately Apartments, a 57-unit affordable housing community in Ithaca. This partnership brings our mission, creating housing options and building independence, to a community with significant housing needs. We are grateful to the funders, developers and partners who made the project possible, and look forward to welcoming residents to their new homes."

Governor Hochul's Housing Agenda

Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York's housing crisis and making the State more affordable and livable for all New Yorkers. Since FY23, the Governor has worked to increase housing supply to make housing more affordable by launching a $25 billion five-year comprehensive Housing Plan, enacted the most significant housing deal in decades and implemented new protections for renters and homeowners. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, HCR has created new programs that jumpstart development of affordable and mixed-income homes - for both renters and homebuyers. These include the Pro-Housing Community Program, which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. There are currently more than 450 certified Pro-Housing communities throughout the state, including the city of Ithaca.

As part of FY27 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul secured a number of landmark reforms to New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to speed up housing and infrastructure development and lower costs as part of her "Let Them Build" agenda. "Let Them Build" also includes executive actions to expedite critical categories of projects that have been consistently found to not have significant environmental impacts, but for too long have been caught up in red tape and subject to lengthy delays.

The FY27 Enacted Budget completes the Governor's current five-year Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 87,000 affordable homes have been created or preserved to date. The FY27 Enacted Budget also invests $250 million in capital funding to accelerate the construction of thousands of new affordable homes.