Governor Hochul Unveils $22.8M Supportive Housing Project Launch in Erie County
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York announced the completion and opening of Angela’s House, a $22.8 million housing project located in the town of Cheektowaga in Erie County. The project, which successfully transformed a historically significant but long-unused wing of the Villa Maria Academy into affordable housing units, received $3.6 million in funding from the state’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.
This innovative housing project created 67 affordable apartments out of the former all-girls high school building, of which 21 units are designed as supportive housing for adults over 55 who have experienced homelessness.
The Governor stated, “We have a responsibility to ensure all New Yorkers have access to safe and affordable housing. Angela’s House revitalizes a significant piece of our local history while creating homes for those who need them most, including older adults in need of support services.”
Delta Development of Western New York, Inc. worked in collaboration with CB-Emmanuel Realty to redevelop the historic six-story Gothic Revival structure into 55 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom apartments. These units will accommodate individuals with an income of 60 percent or less of the area’s median income.
Constructed in 1927 as a boarding and day high school by the Felician Sisters of St. Francis, the wing of Villa Maria Academy, designed by renowned Polish American architect Joseph Fronczak, has been vacant since the school’s closure in 2006. After its closure, the Villa Maria Motherhouse Complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and now, Angela’s House stands as a testament to successful adaptive reuse.
The funding sources for this project are diverse. Apart from the $3.6 million from the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, the project received $3.4 million through the New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Supportive Housing Opportunity Program, $300,000 from the town of Cheektowaga, and $60,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The project is also benefiting from $8.8 million in low-income housing tax credit equity, $3.4 million in federal historic tax credit equity, and $2.8 million in state historic tax credit equity. Furthermore, operating funds will come from the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative via the state Department of Health.
The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, managed by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, offers capital grants and loans to organizations and municipalities for housing projects aimed at aiding those who cannot secure adequate housing without special help. This program is a key part of Governor Hochul’s ambitious $25 billion, five-year housing plan, which aims to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York State, including 10,000 for vulnerable populations.
Multiple stakeholders have applauded the completion of Angela’s House, including state and local officials, partners involved in the project, and local community organizations. The opening of this transformative housing project is a step forward in providing supportive and affordable housing to those in need, demonstrating New York’s commitment to inclusive housing solutions.
