Rochester has made massive progress on affordable housing. There's more to do | Opinion
When Gov. Kathy Hochul enacted her new, $25 billion five-year housing plan earlier this year, she was making a promise to every community: a meaningful solution to the crushing housing crisis is on the way. In Rochester, we’re already seeing the future of housing in action.
East House and MM Development Advisors, Inc. recently broke ground on Canal Street Commons, a new affordable and supportive property that’s now underway in the historic Susan B. Anthony neighborhood. The project is a shining example of what Rochester — and every community — needs to emulate across New York.
At Canal Commons, the team is converting a now vacant former shoe factory originally constructed in the 19th century into a 123-unit modern affordable housing property. Of the 123 homes, 70 will be equipped with supportive services for our most vulnerable residents, with 37 will be reserved for individuals with serious mental illness, 25 for residents with substance abuse disorders, and eight for chronically homeless individuals. Seventeen will be adapted for those with mobility challenges, and five will be adapted for those with a hearing or vision impairment.
Every single unit will be energy-efficient, and every single unit will be affordable to those making 60% or less of the area median income — and half will be available to those under 30% AMI.
But the project is not just an accounting of numbers and figures. It is also a testament to the long, proud history of Rochester, which has been home to American icons, including pioneering women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony and famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who helped shepherd enslaved people to freedom right here in the Flower City.
The creation of new affordable and supportive housing — particularly when it involves transforming vacant properties into vibrant communities — is a solution that benefits everyone. And it is directly in keeping with that tradition.
A safe and stable home is the bedrock of a safe and stable life. Communities with ample affordable housing have better educational outcomes for children, improved public safety, and more sustainable economies. After all, when residents don’t need to spend exorbitant amounts of their income on rent, they have more ability to support local businesses and boost the economy — to say nothing of the hundreds of workers who will physically build and manage the property.
And housing like this, when truly replicated at scale, benefits the entire community. It provides homes for hardworking residents who are struggling to make ends meet while working as teachers, firefighters, and shopkeepers, even as it helps provide homes for chronically homeless residents who are at their most vulnerable.
It is our hope that Canal Commons — which is part of the governor’s housing plan — will serve as just another step forward for Rochester, which has already been at the forefront of solving a massive statewide housing shortage. In fact, the city of Rochester also announced last month they are seeking proposals from developers, non-profits and housing service providers to expand the supply of affordable housing.
That is good news for all of Rochester. Affordable and supportive housing is the rising tide that lifts all boats. Rochester should be proud of its progress thus far — even as it acknowledges that there is still much more work to be done.
Scott Moquin is the Acting President and CEO of East House. Jolie Milstein is the President and CEO of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing, which hosted its annual upstate conference last week in Rochester.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester NY affordable housing: More to do
