Construction Underway on New Affordable Housing in the City of Rochester

The $13.4 Million Project Provides 45 New Affordable Apartments for Seniors

ROCHESTER, N.Y., January 21, 2021 — Today, Rochester Management, Inc. (RMI), a non-profit affordable housing development and management organization, invited press to see construction progress on its $13.4 million Zion Hill Senior Apartments project. This project is a collaboration between RMI and Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church and will increase available housing choices during the ongoing housing crisis with 45 new affordable apartments. RMI began construction in late December, with an estimated completion date of early 2022.

Located at the corner of Dr. Samuel McCree Way and Wooden Street, this faith-based redevelopment will be a 46,981 sq.ft, two-and three-story L shaped building. The project is being built on vacant, underutilized urban lots and includes the demolition of three properties with a blighting impact on the neighborhood.

“I want to thank Rochester Management and Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church for coming together to provide safe, quality and affordable housing for our senior population. Collaborations like this help us advance our goals to create more jobs; safer, more vibrant and affordable neighborhoods; and better educational opportunities for our citizens,” said Mayor Lovely A. Warren.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, in 2019, Rochester had a deficit of over 26,000 affordable housing units. RMI secured funding for this critical housing project through a $500,000 Home Fund loan through the City of Rochester Home Funds as well as funding from Low Income Housing Tax Credits allocated through NYS HCR, M & T Bank/Redstone Equity, NYSERDA and Federal Housing Trust Funds.

Zion Hill Apartments is a mixed-income senior (55+) housing community and will have a variety of one and two-bedroom units available with seven units reserved for frail elderly with special needs. Units available will range from 30% to 60% of area median income. The development includes a resident support office, laundry facilities, roof-top sitting area and planters and a community room with kitchen, fitness room, in-unit tenant bulk storage. The project is located near Rochester Regional Health’s St. Mary’s Campus and is part of the City of Rochester’s “Transit-Supportive Corridor.”

“Creating new, high-quality senior housing in the City of Rochester is of critical importance as there is a significant shortage of this housing stock,” said Peggy Hill, Rochester Management CEO. “Rochester Management is pleased to serve seniors here along with Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church and continue our over 70-year commitment of strengthening communities in Rochester.”

While there was an urban community garden on the site of the project, RMI made a commitment to ensure that this community asset was maintained. The new garden and greenhouse will be located at an adjacent parcel, 59 Wooden Street, a lot owned by Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church and will be managed by Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church and Grow Green Rochester. Rochester Management will source and coordinate necessary funding as well as additional planning resources to ensure the sustainability of this vital community asset. Educational and intergenerational activities for residents and neighbors will be developed for the new garden.

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Media Contact:
Adam Smith
585-455-4171
nfzvgu@gvccvatcbvagpbzz.pbz