$24M affordable and supportive housing development now complete

PLATTSBURGH | "Housing, transportation, child care. Without those you don't have economic development, you don't have structured communities," Assemblyman Billy Jones said. When asked what the North Country Region needs, housing is always one of the top three things named. Now a fraction of that need has been addressed with the opening of Northwoods: a $24 million affordable housing development right in the heart of Plattsburgh. "The urgent need for affordable and supportive housing in every corner of our state is one that my administration is determined to address," Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "Northwoods is helping to answer the call in Plattsburgh with modern, energy-efficient apartments that provide residents with all the necessary services to keep them safe, healthy, and securely housed." Northwoods consists of five newly constructed buildings located at 159 Plaza Blvd., a previously vacant 13-acre plot. Four of the buildings contain a mixture of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The fifth building serves as a community building and offices for Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN). BHSN will be providing support services at Northwoods. Forty residents will have access to on-site services and rental subsidies funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health. Services include case management, life skills training, health education, transportation assistance, building security services, and referrals to other resources. The remaining apartments are affordable to households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Christopher Stephano, a mental health program specialist at the New York State Office of Mental Health, said "Safe and stable housing is the foundation upon which recovery is built. It provides a safety net, peace of mind, and a secure platform for personal growth. When you no longer have to worry about where you'll rest your head at night, you can focus on building a more hopeful future, and that's what you provide here." "Let me start with the single most important message that you need to take away. Everyone, everyone deserves a safe place to call home," Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman stated. The development of Northwoods complements the Town of Plattsburgh's adopted Elevate Plattsburgh Town Center Smart Growth Plan by addressing a lack of housing options in the town's commercial center, and by making the town center more walkable through increased density and expansions to the existing sidewalk network. Northwoods also improves local traffic patterns by connecting Tom Miller Road to Plaza Boulevard. Sen. Dan Stec said, "Affordable housing is essential in our region. With its 80 new affordable and supportive apartments, we can better ensure that Plattsburgh residents have the access to a better quality of life they need and deserve." Northwoods isn't just fulfilling a hole in the housing market; it's a symbol of the partnership between Housing Visions and BHSN. These two organizations worked together to create much-needed housing in the area, but also looked at what the community needed for supportive services and took the steps to make sure they would be provided. Housing Visions CEO Ben Lockwood said, "Northwoods makes strides to increase affordable housing options in the North Country. Plattsburgh recognizes the need for diverse housing options for residents, and Northwoods is a fantastic representation of what a community can accomplish when working together to solve community challenges." "As a regional leader in whole-person care, BHSN understands that it's hard to be healthy without housing. That's why we're proud to have contributed to this effort to bring more quality housing to our area and to some of our most vulnerable community members," said Behavioral Health Services North President/CEO Mark Lukens. Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Our $24 million investment in the town of Plattsburgh addresses a critical shortage of affordable housing in the North Country and utilizes a roadmap created by local leaders to promote the community's growth. Thanks to the work completed here, 80 households will benefit from a safe, modern home, including 40 individuals and families experiencing homelessness who will receive supportive services to help them thrive. Thank you to our partners, public and private, for their cooperation on this development that will benefit so many in the community."

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$24M affordable and supportive housing development now complete

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