Ribbon Cutting for Founders Way in Ithaca, NY
On November 4, our design team joined Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services and state and local officials to celebrate the grand opening of Founders Way in Ithaca, NY. The community provides 75 affordable and supportive apartments for individuals and families, plus commercial space for two local nonprofit organizations that offer advocacy and educational services to children and families in the community.
“This remarkable development represents a new beginning for this historic downtown campus that played an important role in the lives of city residents for generations, said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “Now, Founders Way can help the city’s continued revitalization efforts by providing affordable homes and a place where residents can receive the support and services they need to thrive.”
Founders Way consists of four buildings on the nearly two-acre campus of the former Immaculate Conception School, a co-educational Catholic school that served the community for more than 133 years. The main school building includes 67 apartments. In addition, a vacant single-family home was converted into two apartments, and two new three-unit townhouses were constructed on the site.
Together, the new community provides a total of 75 modern, energy-efficient affordable homes with a mix of studios, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments. The development is conveniently located just four blocks from the heart of downtown Ithaca, the Ithaca Commons, and serves individuals and families at a variety of income levels ranging from 30 percent to 100 percent of the Area Median Income.
Thirteen households, including formerly homeless victims of domestic violence and formerly homeless young adults, will have access to onsite support services and rental subsidies funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Services are provided by the Salvation Army and include assistance with adjusting to living independently, social activities, and referrals to appropriate community services.
Another nine units will provide supportive housing for people with developmental disabilities, with capital funding provided by the Integrated Supportive Housing Program administered by the Office of People With Developmental Disabilities and services provided by Racker Center.
See the full New York State Homes and Community Renewal announcement here: https://hcr.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-grand-opening-27-million-affordable-housing-development-ithaca
