Categories: New York State, Member News, Openings
10.29.2021
On Monday, October 25th, Housing Visions, the YWCA of Syracuse and partners gathered to celebrate the opening of the Winston Gaskin Homes, a preservation project that rehabilitated 20 buildings on Syracuse’s east side. The sixty-six unit project reserves twenty units for survivors of domestic violence and their families, with services provided by the YWCA of Syracuse that are funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.
Ben Lockwood, President and CEO of Housing Visions kicked off the event with a touching tribute to Winston ‘Win’ Gaskin, who was, among his many accomplishments, the first Black pharmacist in Syracuse as well as a co-founder of what later became Housing Visions.
Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas noted that this $22 million rehab was among the first of many projects to be completed under the State’s current five-year housing plan. “This is an amazing example of what our combined resources can accomplish. Projects like this one take a holistic approach to stabilizing and revitalizing communities.”
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon agreed, pointing out that in addition to providing housing and support services to formerly homeless tenants, the project also created jobs and will both reduce poverty and “revitalize the gateway to downtown”.
Senator Rachel May noted that the rehabilitation -- which was designed to complement the community’s architecture and enhance revitalization efforts in Syracuse -- will afford tenants the joy of residing in apartments with character: “By investing in historic properties, we are maintaining the character of these neighborhoods and ensuring homes stay safe and occupied for years to come.”
The ceremony culminated with the ribbon being cut by Syracuse native and incoming resident, Jimmika McMillon.
The Winston Gaskin Homes range in size from one to five-bedrooms, and feature Energy Star appliances, water-conserving plumbing features, central air, storage units, and laundry hook-ups. Four of the apartments are fully accessible and adapted for people with mobility impairments, and three have been adapted for people with hearing or vision impairments. All apartments are affordable to households with incomes at or below 70% AMI.
Financing for the rental homes included Federal and State Low Income Housing Tax Credits and funding from New York State Homes and Community Renewal and New York State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance through their Homeless Housing Assistance Program. Additional financing was provided by NBT Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank’s Affordable Housing Program.
Holmes King Kallquist & Associates served as project architect, and Housing Visions Construction was the general contractor.
Congratulations to Housing Visions, YWCA, all the residents and staff, and the city of Syracuse.