Officials cut the ribbon Wednesday on a four story, 50 unit development on Syracuse’s near north side aimed at providing affordable and supportive housing. The $17.6 million Catherine Street apartments includes 20 units for residents with low incomes and 30 for those with mental health diagnoses.
Mike Dehmler with CSD Housing says there are similar developments in Utica, Rochester, Buffalo and other cities, but this is the first of its kind in Syracuse. He knows these units only address a fraction of the need.
"There are thousands of people that would be eligible for this housing in Syracuse and don't have it. The options that are affordable aren't this. They're not brand new, beautiful apartments with state of the art security and cooling and heating."
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh says the project was a long time coming.
"We see a lot of developments in the city. Many are happening downtown and in vibrant parts of our community. We need to make sure we're investing in projects that benefit everyone in our community, regardless of ability, of income level."
Moira Tashjian with the New York State Office of Mental Health says her conversations with residents confirm the project was overdue.
"I had the opportunity to speak to three residents who live in the building. All of them said, 'it's beautiful, I've never had anything like this, I love it, and the staff are so kind to me'."
Central New York Services will own the building and provide support for mental health residents. Executive Director John Warren says they've intentionally kept a low profile since their founding in 1990.
"It's to give people an opportunity who struggle with challenges around mental health to live a life with much less stigma and focus on their dignity. What we want to do, and strive to do is to allow people to come home."
Warren's offices are on James street a couple blocks away. He hopes the project serves as a catalyst for the neighborhood.
"It was an area that was struggling to a great degree. I remember driving by here a few times thinking 'wouldn't it be nice to see if we could do something with this'."
Mayor Walsh recalled witnessing open-air drug deals on the same block of Catherine Street before the project came along.
The project was several years in the making, and took numerous state agencies and other private sector partners to put together. It’s part of the state’s five-year, $20 billion plan to combat homelessness with safe, affordable, and supportive housing.