Construction has begun on a $6.2 million project that will rehabilitate and expand an existing building that provides transitional housing to formerly homeless veterans in Rochester. The renovated Richards House will include 34 units of transitional and emergency housing for male veterans experiencing homelessness.
“We are pleased to partner with the Veterans Outreach Center on this important project to assist veterans experiencing homelessness, many of whom are dealing with physical and mental health challenges as a result of their service,” said NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz. “Richards House can help these individuals get on a path toward permanent housing and living independently as part of the community.”
Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. has been housing and providing supportive services to veterans in the Rochester area for more than 45 years. Richards House serves veterans with a mental health diagnosis, who are physically disabled, or have a substance use disorder. The renovated space will include new space for counseling meetings and therapy sessions.
State funding for this project includes $2 million from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program and $200,000 from the Office of General Services. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided $1.1 million, with the remainder coming from Veterans Outreach Center and private donors.
Veterans Outreach Center Executive Director and U.S. Army Veteran Laura Stradley said, “The renovations to Richards House are critical to giving local veterans the foundation they need to get back on their feet and thrive. These much-needed renovations will give homeless veterans in need a safe, supportive place to call home while they build themselves back up. Not only will they have a warm bed to sleep in, but they will also have access to the full array of services available at Veterans Outreach Center. Our gratitude goes out to the community, our partners, donors, elected officials and supporters who have made these renovations possible. The support for local veterans is strong, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
The Homeless Housing Assistance Program provides capital grants and loans to not-for-profit corporations, charitable and religious organizations, and municipalities to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate housing for persons who are unable to secure adequate housing without special assistance. The grants are awarded through a competitive process by the New York State Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, a public benefit corporation staffed by OTDA.
Through this program, New York State has appropriated more than $1.2 billion toward the development of supportive housing. In total, the program has created more than 22,000 units of housing to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
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