Elected officials and community leaders gathered on August 12 for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of Wellington North, a $16 million, 50-apartment affordable and supportive housing development for seniors in the town of Clarkson. Sixteen of the homes are reserved for seniors in need of supportive services to live independently.
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “All of our seniors deserve access to safe, quality, affordable housing in order to live their lives to the fullest while aging in place with dignity and independence. Wellington North and the supportive services offered there will make a real difference in people’s lives. Projects like this are a key part of my administration’s commitment to better infrastructure for all, and it is a privilege to support this effort. I thank Governor Hochul, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and NYSERDA for their forward-thinking investment and making this project a reality.”
Wellington North is a two-story, L-shaped, elevator-serviced building. There are 50 apartments – 46 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom – for people aged 62 and older. All apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income. Six of the apartments are accessible for people with mobility impairments and two units are available for residents with visual or auditory impairments.
The Rochester Housing Authority is providing 50 Project Based Section 8 Vouchers to assist with rent payments. Lifespan, a local senior services provider, will provide case management, in-home health and personal care aides, and financial counseling available as needed.
Amenities include patios and balconies, laundry rooms on each floor, a community room, rental office space, lounges, and resident storage rooms. The property is in a wooded area with access to walking trails and benches, and is close to medical facilities, public transportation, grocery stores and retail opportunities.
Town of Clarkson Supervisor Christa Filipowicz said, “Wellington North is a welcome addition to this important neighborhood in the town of Clarkson. We’re beyond pleased to have this investment in our community where being good neighbors is what sets us apart from others.”
Wellington North meets both the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency’s Low Rise New Construction program requirements for energy efficiency and the LEED Green Building standards. A ducted air source heat pump system has been installed to provide an affordable and sustainable source of heating and cooling for the entire building.
Wellington North was developed by ODS Management.
The Wellington North project complements Governor Hochul’s plans to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable. In the FY 2023 State Budget, the Governor introduced and successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 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.
Financing for Wellington North included Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that generated $8.2 million in equity and an additional $5.4 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. NYSERDA provided $50,000 in support. The Community Preservation Corporation and Chase are providing an $11.7 million construction loan for the project. CPC also provided $1.7 million in permanent financing through a Freddie Mac Optigo Targeted Affordable loan. Monroe County is providing an additional $250,000 in HOME funding to support the project.
Over the last decade, HCR has invested more than $500 million in Monroe County to support nearly 6,000 homes, including the newly completed 270 on East on Rochester’s growing Inner Loop and the Irondequoit Senior Apartments, which creatively re-purposed the Irondequoit Mall into 157 affordable and supportive homes for seniors.
Assemblymember Steve Hawley said, “The completion of the Wellington North development is fantastic news and will enable many of our seniors on low-incomes to live more safely and independently than ever before. As residents begin moving into their new homes, I want to thank all who labored to complete this development for their hard-work to ensure seniors from all walks of life have a safe and comfortable residence to call home.”
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