A new affordable and supportive housing development has opened in downtown Rochester. The Center City Courtyard, a $72 million project developed by HELPDevCo and CSD Housing, LLC, brings 164 affordable apartments to the area. Of these, 95 units are set aside for veterans and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The development was built on a former parking lot on West Main Street. All apartments are available to households earning at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Residents in the supportive units will have access to on-site services and rental subsidies funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health. Service providers include Helio Health, the Urban League of Rochester, and Eagle Star Housing.
Center City Courtyard is designed as an all-electric, energy-efficient building. It meets standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Homes program and includes features such as a rooftop solar array and air source heat pumps for heating and cooling.
Amenities for residents include free internet access, a fitness center, a fifth-floor terrace, and a landscaped courtyard with seating areas. The building also offers nearly 3,000 square feet of office space for supportive service providers.
State financing for the project came from several sources: over $30 million in equity from Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs managed by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), $28 million in HCR subsidy, nearly $8 million from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, annual operating funding from the Office of Mental Health, support from NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative partnership with HCR, and $1 million in HOME funds from the city of Rochester.
Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Center City Courtyard is a shining example of how we can transform underutilized spaces into vibrant, sustainable developments that provide safe, affordable homes for working families and supportive services for those at risk of homelessness, including our veterans. I’m proud of the partnerships that made this possible and am committed to building even more housing that replicates opportunities like this across New York.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Center City Courtyard exemplifies the transformative power of smart investments in affordable, energy-efficient housing, turning a vacant parking lot into 164 modern homes that provide stability for working families and critical supportive services for those at risk of homelessness, including our veterans. Through HCR’s financing of nearly $60 million alongside partnerships with OMH, OTDA and NYSERDA, we’re not only advancing Governor Hochul’s $25 billion Housing Plan — on pace to deliver 100,000 affordable homes statewide — but are also building on Rochester’s continued revitalization.”
Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA said,“The completion of Center City Courtyard is a tremendous achievement for the Rochester community and sets a great example for clean, modern housing that is affordable for residents. By investing in projects like this, we are expanding opportunities for all New Yorkers to live in healthy, comfortable, and energy efficient homes while revitalizing our neighborhoods and cities.”
Dr. Ann Sullivan from OMH stated,“Supportive housing often plays a critical role in the recovery journey of New Yorkers living with mental illness. Center City Courtyard marks the transformation of a parking lot into dozens of much-needed supportive housing units that offer vital services for residents facing the threat of homelessness. This affordable housing will provide the resources and support necessary for more Rochester residents to live and thrive in their community. Projects like this affirm Governor Hochul’s commitment to expanding access to services and support for vulnerable New Yorkers during their recovery.”
Barbara C. Guinn from OTDA said,“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State has made landmark investments to expand the supply of permanent supportive housing options across the state recognizing that stable housing is the foundation for healthier lives and stronger communities. The opening of Center City Courtyard in downtown Rochester provides Monroe County residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness including veterans with stable affordable homes and on-site access to vital support services that will help them remain housed live independently and thrive in their community.”
Senator Chuck Schumer noted,“Every family in Rochester deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered millions to help build more than 160 units in downtown Rochester that will be accessible to those at risk of homelessness including veterans. These newly constructed apartments will be energy-efficient and include key support to vulnerable residents including on-site services and rental subsidies. 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 applaud Governor Hochul’s work increasing access to affordable housing in Monroe County and across New York,and I will continue working to deliver federal resources to deliver more affordable housing across New York.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand added,“Skyrocketing housing costs have put safe affordable housing out of reach for far too many New Yorkers.The new Center City Courtyard will provide secure housing for Rochester families while offering much-needed assistance to those at risk of homelessness.I am proud to support investments like this one,and I will continue fighting to make affordable housing accessible for all New Yorkers.”
Representative Joe Morelle commented,“Safe affordable housing creates opportunity for New York families.We’re investing in new homes that meet the needs offamilies largeandsmall,fueling growthand vitalityinevery cornerofRochester.I deeply appreciate Governor Hochul’s leadershipand partnershipinadvancingthis vision,andI look forwardtocontinuingourwork together.”
Senator Jeremy Cooney said,“With homelessness rates risinginourcommunity,the completionofthe CenterCityCourtyardprojectis exactlywhattheCityofRochesterneeds.Th ank youtoGovernorHochulandNewYorkStateHomes&CommunityRenewalfor prioritizingsustainability ,servicesforat-riskresidents,andstable ,high-qualityhousingforthoseinourcommunitywhoneeditmost .”
Assemblymember Demond Meeks stated,“CenterCityCourtyardisanimportantinvestmentinourcity.Bytransformingaparkinglotinto164affordablehomes ,including95unitswithservicesforindividualsatriskofhomelessness,wearehelpingfamiliesandneighborsachievethestabilitythey deserve .Projects likethisshowwhat ’spossiblewhen thestate ,localorganizations ,andourcommunitycometogethertomakehousingmoreaffordableandaccessible .I’ mproudtoseeRochestermovingforwardwithdevelopmentsthatnotonlyprovidearoofoverpeople ’sheadsbutalsothesupportandopportunityneededtobuildabetterfuture .”
County Executive Adam Bello remarked,“CenterCityCourtyardwillprovidemuch-neededaffordablehousingoptionsinDowntownRochester.I’mgratefulforGovernorHochul’scontinuedinvestmentinsafeandstablehousingforthemostvulnerableinourcommunity.CenterCityCourtyardwilltakethisonestepfurther ,offeringsupportiveservicesonsitetomakesureresidentshaveaccesstotheresourcestheyneed .”
Mayor Malik Evans said,“I wanttothankGov.HochulandNewYorkStatefortheirstrongsupportandcontinuedinvestmentinRochester’shousingfuture.WithCenterCityCourtyard,weseethataffordableandsupportivehousingcanbejustasbeautiful ,high-quality,andfullofamenitiesasmarket-ratedevelopments.Thisprojectshowsthatwhenweinvestinpeople,westrengthenneighborhoods ,restoredignity,andcreateabrighterfutureforeveryresident .”
Michael Dehmler,CSDHousingManagingDirector stated,“CSDHousingisdeeplycommittedtoworkingwithournon-profitpartnerstoprovidequalityplacesforpeopletocallhome.ThisprojectisparticularlyspecialtousbecauseitisinourhometownofRochesterandhasbeensuchanincrediblepartnershipwiththeCityofRochester,HCR ,OTDAandotherstakeholders.WearehonoredtobeopeningoneofthelargestsupportivehousingprojectsintheStaterighthereinRochester .”
David Cleghorn,P residentofHELPDevelopmentCorpsaid,“HELPDevelopmentCorp.isexcitedtocelebratethegrandopeningofCenterCityCourtyard,madepossiblethroughourinvaluablepartnershipwithCSDHousing.AsthelargestaffordablesupportivehousingprojectinWesternNewYork ,CenterCityCourtyardexemplifiesourcommitmenttocreatingtransformative,safe,andaffordablehousingrightintheheartofdowntownRochester.Weareproudtoplayaroleinshapingabrighterfutureforourcommunity .”
Kathleen Gaffney-BabbfromHelioHealthsaid,”HelioHealthisexcitedtopartnerwithCSDHousingandHELPDevelopmentCorptobringmuchneededhousingtocitizensofRochester.TogetherwiththeUrbanLeagueofR ochesterandEagleStarHousing,weareproudtosayWelcomeHometothemanywhowillreceivehighqualityaffordablehousingatCenterCityCourtyard.”
Zachary Fuller,EagleStarHousingExecutiveDirectoradded,”EagleStarHousingishonoredtojoinourdedicatedpartners—CSDHousingandHelpDevelopmentCorp.—inbringingtheCenterCityCourtyardprojecttolife.Thisinitiativeisatestamenttothepowerofcollaborationandthetransformativeimpactofinvestinginourcommunities.WearedeeplygratefultoGovernorHochulandNewYorkStatefortheirunwaveringcommitmenttoexpandingaccesstoaffordablehousing,addressingacriticalneed,andhelpingNewYorkersbuildbrighter ,morestablefutures.”
Governor Hochul has focused efforts on addressing New York’s ongoing shortage https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-completion-164-unit-72-million-affordable-and-supportive-housing-development-downtown-rochester#governor-hochuls-housing-agenda through policies such as new tax incentives; increased capital funding; protections aimed at renters; pilot programs like Housing Access Voucher; expanded state funding; electrification goals; as well as programs giving certified localities exclusive access up to $750 million discretionary state funding if they receive Pro-Housing certification—a status now held by over 350 communities statewide including Rochester.
