September 6, 2023 saw the completion of a $37 million affordable housing redevelopment in Newburgh, New York. The project renovated and constructed 24 properties to created 62 affordable homes, including 10 units with supportive services.
The project also included the adaptive reuse of a historic church to create 17,000 square feet of commercial and community space in a facility known as Highpoint.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “East End II is a transformative project that is grounded in a strong reinvestment in existing neighborhood infrastructure and a commitment to communal spaces. By utilizing federal and state historic tax credits and rehabilitating previously vacant buildings into mixed-use spaces and residences, East End II showcases the valuable contributions historic buildings can continue to bring to communities. And, through new onsite programs such as Newburgh YouthBuild, these spaces will also nurture skilled tradespersons who may work on historic preservation efforts in the future. It is a dynamic model to consider for community revitalization and we are glad to be part of such efforts.”
The renovated and newly constructed properties are clustered in a seven-block area between Newburgh’s Broadway and South Street commercial corridors.
State Senator Rob Rolison said, “This impressive project knits together Newburgh’s residential and business districts, restored iconic buildings in New York’s second-largest historic area to their original grandeur, and will help ease our state’s housing crisis by making available over 60 new homes. Thank you to our partners at the state and local levels, public and private, for supporting this latest phase of Newburgh’s ongoing economic development renaissance.”
There are 13 one-bedroom, 17 two-bedroom, and 32 three-bedroom units, which are all affordable to households earning up to 70 percent of the Area Median Income.
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “Individuals experiencing homelessness are among the highest risk for negative impacts from substance use disorders. This project will allow individuals affected by substance use and homelessness to receive important help and support, including safe and secure housing which is a vital part of the continuum of care in New York State.”
The redevelopment includes ten apartments with supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Rental subsidies and services will be funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. The supportive service provider is Bridges of New York.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “This second phase of the East End revitalization provides 62 critically needed affordable homes in Newburgh, while using a combination of new construction and adaptive reuse of blighted structures to unlock this historic community’s potential. The result is an expansive, transformative, and attractive development that will benefit residents and the entire city. The Highpoint campus offers new opportunities and resources to positively impact this community for decades to come. Congratulations to RUPCO on your largest project ever and thank you for using every tool in the toolbox to create a flagship development that will serve as a model for community revtialization. And thank you to all our partners who played a role in this development.”
East End II’s community space, known as Highpoint, spans an entire city block. The 17,000 square feet of community and commercial space includes the former United Methodist Church, the newly restored 257 Liberty Street building, and the city-owned Audrey Carey Park.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “Every Newburgh resident deserves a safe and secure place to call home, and I am proud to see this substantial investment in both affordable housing and community resources in the Hudson Valley,” said Senator Schumer. “By using millions in federal Low Income Tax Credits, which I worked hard to secure, to create over 60 new affordable accessible homes across 24 properties for families in Newburgh, this new development will help our state’s most vulnerable residents live independently. I applaud Governor Hochul’s commitment to increasing access to affordable housing in Newburgh and across New York State, and I will keep fighting to increase the supply of housing and create a more affordable and livable New York for all.”
Highpoint is administered by LYNC, a local nonprofit, and will provide daycare, a co-working space for women of color, retail space, and a health center. The campus will also serve as the new home of Newburgh YouthBuild, a program that prepares local youth ages 16 to 24 for careers in carpentry, construction trades, culinary arts, and nursing.
Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said, “Families who live and work in the community will benefit tremendously from this latest public-private partnership. I congratulate RUPCO on the completion of this important revitalization project and appreciate its investment into the City of Newburgh and Orange County.”
An energy-efficient redevelopment, all newly constructed buildings at East End II meet the US Green Building Council LEED Rating System’s criteria for Gold certification.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Expanding access to affordable housing options is crucial for New York families. This housing development will help ensure that we can meet the critical housing needs of Newburgh and provide much-needed support services for vulnerable populations. I am proud to support Governor Hochul’s efforts to expand affordable housing options for the Newburgh community and throughout the state.”
East End II is the second phase of an East End revitalization effort. The project’s first phase, completed in 2018, included the substantial rehabilitation of 15 historic properties to create 45 affordable homes. The developer of East End I and II is RUPCO, Inc.
Kevin O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of RUPCO, said, “We have worked closely with New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the City of Newburgh, LYNC, Newburgh Community Land Bank, and our funding and development partners to carry out the most complex project RUPCO has ever undertaken. Our mission is to create homes, support people, and improve communities, and East End II represents that.”
State financing for East End II includes $12.9 million in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and $15.5 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson said, “Locally and nationally, we are facing a shortage of affordable housing. This ambitious project and its much-needed residential units will not only help address Newburgh’s most pressing housing concerns but will also usher in a new era of economic activity in an area that has suffered decades of neglect.”
In addition, the project anticipates $5.8 million in federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits. Orange County provided $2.4 million in HOME funding. Additional financing partners include Raymond James and Webster Bank.
“East End II is an outstanding example of New York’s commitment to investing in housing that not only improves quality of life for families, but transforms communities,” Governor Kathy Hochul said.
“This development increases housing supply in one of our state’s most historic cities, provides access to resources that help families thrive, and brings Newburgh into the future while preserving the rich past of this Hudson Valley gem. My administration is committed to finding solutions like this to the state’s housing crisis that will benefit residents and communities for generations to come,” she concluded.
East End II complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.
Photos courtesy of RUPCO.