Governor Hochul Announces Opening of $1.3 Million Expansion to Supportive Housing Development in Rochester

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of the expanded Cooper Union supportive housing complex in Rochester, which now features 45 apartments with the addition of seven new units for homeless New Yorkers. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program provided $1.25 million for the $1.3 million project.

"Every New Yorker deserves the dignity of a secure place to live and with the Cooper Union project complete, we can now provide some of Rochester's most vulnerable residents with a safe and affordable place to call home," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "We will continue to boost supportive housing options as part of our overall efforts to help New Yorkers recover from the pandemic."

Volunteers of America, which sponsored the project, has been operating Cooper Union for more than a decade. It was originally constructed with nearly $3 million in funding from the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program and features 45 units on the three upper floors.

The new seven units are on the ground floor in a formerly vacant commercial space. In addition to housing, Volunteers of America provides on-site support services to help resident address health concerns, strengthen their self-reliance and improve their well-being.

The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program provided $1.25 million in capital funding for the project and $60,000 was provided by the Home Depot Foundation. Operating funding for the seven new units is being provided by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

Office of Temporary and Disability Executive Deputy Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, "The completion of this project highlights the important role Volunteers of America plays in providing supportive housing in Rochester and we are grateful for their partnership. Supportive housing is critical in our efforts to address homelessness and under Governor Hochul's leadership we remain committed to that cause."

Senator Jeremy Cooney said, "Safe, affordable housing is essential and at the foundation of our community's well-being. These seven new supportive housing units on State Street are a testament to what our community can accomplish when we work together. I am grateful to all the partners and notably to the Volunteers of America for making this project possible. I look forward to the positive impact these units will have on those who are experiencing homelessness in Rochester."

Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, "As countless New Yorkers are faced with the reality of homelessness with the onset of the global pandemic, the need for safe and reliable housing is more important now than ever before. A dignified home is essential for building generational wealth and escaping the cycle of poverty. We cannot expect to uplift struggling and disenfranchised residents without providing one of the most basic necessities. I am grateful to the Volunteers of America, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and our state colleagues for their dedication to homeless and marginalized members of our community. With effective leadership, New York State must continue to provide meaningful investments and dependable resources for its residents and our community."

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, "When people have access to safe, affordable housing and support services, they can better overcome their challenges and lead more stable, healthier and self-reliant lives. I applaud Volunteers of America for their leadership in expanding Cooper Union and prioritizing our military veterans for these new apartment units. I thank Gov. Hochul, the state's Homeless Housing Assistance Corporation and the Home Depot Foundation for supporting the well-being of our community."

Volunteers of America President & CEO Lynn Sullivan said, "Housing is a human right, and every year our agency provides more than 200,000 nights of shelter. It is the very first step in helping individuals and families break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Providing a safe, stable place for people to live allows us to also offer essential services to help people overcome the challenges in their life - such as finding employment and recovering from addiction or trauma."

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 the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

So far this year, the program has allocated nearly $37 million to 12 projects that will create or preserve 378 units of supportive housing and repair emergency shelters throughout the state. Last year, the program provided funding to 30 projects that will add 881 units of supportive housing and repair emergency shelters.