Categories: New York State, Member News, Openings
07.15.2024
On July 12th Community Services for Every1 (CSE1) joined elected officials and community and project partners for the grand opening of The Apartments at the Lyceum. This new affordable and supportive housing residence created 42 affordable apartments, including 12 apartments for survivors of domestic violence, 5 fully ADA accessible units, and 2 units for individuals with audio/visual impairments in Buffalo. Services will be provided by Community Services for Every1 funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) administered by the NYS Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA).
Mindy Cervoni, President and CEO of CSE1, kicked off the program and said, "We are incredibly appreciative of the funding designated for affordable and supportive housing, which has allowed us to create Erie County's first permanent supportive housing program specifically for survivors of domestic violence at The Apartments at the Lyceum.”
Kelly Kinderman, Vice President of Program Support and Development at CSE1, also spoke, “We are thrilled to unveil the Lyceum, our latest expansion that enhances our capability for delivering comprehensive and transformative programs that enrich the lives of our community members and fosters empowerment, inclusion, and enduring change.”
Council Member Nowakowski said, “The Apartments at the Lyceum exemplify our commitment to providing affordable housing and essential services to community members most in need. This project highlights the importance of adaptive reuse and breathing new life into historic structures.”
Christopher Stern, Principal at Hamilton Stern Construction, said, “With 42 supportive housing units, a sustainable design, green space, and a community center, this development will truly be able to serve its residents, contribute to the cultural fabric of the neighborhood, and help expand the mission of Community Services for Every1.”
Brad Mack, Director of Development, Edgemere Development, “Community Services for Every1 is a vital resource for residents of the City of Buffalo and Erie County; the Lyceum will expand their service footprint, provide much-needed affordable housing, and support the City’s revitalization goals.”
The Apartments at the Lyceum is a re-development of a historic former school, and is part of a larger community center, The Lyceum Empowerment Center, where Community Services for Every1 will offer vocational, afterschool, cooking/food literacy education for people with developmental disabilities and their families. It was also designed to meet the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSDERDA) New Construction Housing Program’s standards and features low-flow plumbing fixtures, EV charging stations, and increased insulation. Additional amenities include a community space, laundry, indoor bike storage and repair station, and storage.
Funding for this project comes from NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) subsidy and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs; NYS Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Federal and State Historic Tax Credits; OTDA’s Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP); and NYSDERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative.
The developer is Edgemere Development. The General Contractor is Hamilton Stern Construction and the architect is Carmina Wood Design.