Lifetime Assistance and Rochester Cornerstone Group Break Ground on Frances Apartments II — Adding 48 Inclusive Affordable Housing Units
Rochester, NY — Lifetime Assistance, Inc., the largest, most comprehensive agency in the Greater Rochester area serving children and adults with developmental disabilities, and Rochester's Cornerstone Group, Ltd., broke ground today on Phase II of Frances Apartments affordable inclusive housing.
Frances Apartments II will add 48 units of affordable rental housing with inclusive options for people with disabilities.
Eight units (15%) will be set-aside for individuals with special needs including traumatic brain injuries or physical disabilities.
Five of the 48 project units (10%) will be accessible and designed to accommodate individuals with mobility impairments.
Two of the 48 units (4%) will be set aside for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Strobe lights and chimes will be utilized within this unit.
The apartments will be located on two vacant parcels, a 2.51-acre parcel on Owens Road (north of the existing Frances Apartments) in Brockport. This parcel will be developed to include four apartment buildings consisting of eight units in each building. A 4.12-acre parcel on Owens Road (south of the existing Frances Apartments), will be developed to include four apartment buildings consisting of eight units in each building. Both parcels are close to retail, employment, and the Village of Brockport.
The first units are expected to be ready to occupy starting July 2020. Rents will range from $605 to $914 per month excluding utilities. The buildings will be accessible to persons with accessibility issues through handicap accessible common areas, grounds, and ground floor units. Residents will also be able to use the existing accessible Community Building in the Frances Apartment Complex, which will also be expanded. The building features a large community room and accessible kitchen, computers and internet access for resident use and laundry facilities. It will have 24 one-bedroom units and 24-three bedroom units.
Phase I of Frances Apartments, which opened in October 2017, consists of 56 fully-occupied units within seven buildings offering independent, inclusive housing for low to moderate income families and individuals with developmental disabilities.
Frances Apartments II is part of Governor Cuomo’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.
Frances Apartments Phase II aligns with Town of Sweden’s Comprehensive Plan by converting vacant land on Owens Road to multi-family residential, filling the need for housing with a variety of style and prices, as well as providing handicapped accessible and energy efficient units, and utilizing existing public sewer and recent infrastructure improvements.
The project's team includes Lifetime Housing Development Corporation and Rochester’s Cornerstone Group, Ltd. as Co-Developer/Owners, Passero Associates (civil engineer), SWBR Architects (architect), LECESSE Construction Company (General Contractor), Cornerstone Property Managers, LLC and People, Inc. (service provider).
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Funding provided federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $9.6 million in equity and an additional $2.2 million in subsidy. Additional funding sources include Monroe County HOME Funds, CPC Permanent Conventional Mortgage, the Lifetime Assistance Foundation, NYSERDA Green Building Incentives, Raymond James Tax Credit Funds, Chase’s Community Development Banking group.
Watch: Frances Apartments Time Lapse Video (2017)
Quotables:
Lifetime's CEO Jamie Branciforte
Today is another historic day in Lifetime's history," said Lifetime's CEO Jamie Branciforte, "We have taken another major step to broaden the opportunities for individuals with disabilities to live independently with support and to fully participate and contribute in their communities. We are grateful to all those who are partnering with us in this important endeavor."
Roger W. Brandt, Jr., President of Rochester's Cornerstone Group
“Cornerstone is very pleased to be partnering again with Lifetime Assistance to provide successful development with our funders at New York State," said Roger W. Brandt, Jr., President of RCG. "This second phase of Frances Apartments will provide 48 additional units of clean, safe, and affordable housing in the wonderful Town of Sweden.”
Town of Sweden Supervisor Kevin Johnson
“Rochester’s Cornerstone Group has proven to be a responsible developer in the Town of Sweden,” said Sweden Supervisor Kevin Johnson, “And of course, Lifetime Assistance has long played an invaluable role in our community by providing support services for the disabled. Our residents will benefit from having modern affordable housing available here, as well as having additional inclusive housing options.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “In New York, we are committed to making housing more accessible in every community. Frances Apartments Phase II builds upon our investment in the Town of Sweden with 48 new affordable rental apartments adjacent to the completed Phase I. This development will offer safe, affordable housing for families and includes 15 apartments equipped to help individuals with physical disabilities live independently. Thanks to Governor Cuomo and our private partners, developments like these are keeping the Finger Lakes moving forward.”
Lynne Patton, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey
“HUD is proud to provide $200,000 in HOME funding for Frances Apartments II to ensure residents have access to decent, safe and sanitary affordable housing units they deserve,” said Lynne Patton, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “ Residents will be able to proudly enjoy their new homes thanks to the leadership of Lifetime Housing Development Corporation, Rochester’s Cornerstone Group and its public-private partners.”
Miriam Zinter, Mortgage Officer at The Community Preservation Corporation
“At CPC, we believe that housing that is affordable and well-managed can act as the foundation of strong, healthy communities. This is why we’re proud to invest in housing projects like Frances II, that will bring stability to the people who will call it home, and new opportunity and investment into the neighborhood,” said Miriam Zinter, Mortgage Officer at CPC. “My thanks to Rochester’s Cornerstone Group, Lifetime Assistance, Inc., the Town of Sweden, New York State Homes and Community Renewal and all of our partners for their commitment to this fantastic project.”
Dave Walsh, Northeast Regional Manager, Community Development Banking at Chase
“We’re proud to provide financing for Frances Apartments. It’s important that the Rochester community has access to high quality, affordable and inclusive housing, and we’re committed to supporting impactful projects like this one,” said Dave Walsh, Northeast Regional Manager, Community Development Banking, Chase.
New York State Senator Robert G. Ortt
Senator Robert Ortt said, "The Frances II project in Sweden will help continue the town's successful planning and economic development efforts while filling a critical affordable housing need. I’m encouraged that a portion of the units will support people with special needs – providing accessible housing to these individuals so that they can live independent lives."
About Lifetime Housing Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Lifetime Assistance, Inc.
Lifetime Housing Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3) Community Housing Development Organization and affiliate of Lifetime Assistance, Inc. Lifetime Assistance, Inc. is the largest, most comprehensive agency in the Greater Rochester area serving children and adults with developmental disabilities. It serves more than 1,800 people every day at more than 70 sites providing a full spectrum of individualized services to help children and adults with developmental disabilities reach their maximum potential by promoting self-reliance, independence, dignity and success. Lifetime is accredited by the Council on Quality and Leadership.
About Rochester's Cornerstone Group
Rochester’s Cornerstone Group, Ltd. is a real estate development, consulting, brokerage and property management firm, with a special emphasis toward affordable housing. Founded in 1990, Cornerstone is a regional leader offering Residential Property Development (Affordable Housing Development), Commercial Property Development, Brokerage Services, Consulting Services, and Environmental Preservation.
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