New York State Announces Start of Construction on 20 Units of Permanent Supportive Housing in Oneida County

The Project Will Convert a Two-Story Building in the City of Utica Previously Used as a YWCA into Apartments

Supplements New York State's Ongoing Efforts to Address Homelessness and Expand Permanent Supportive Housing Opportunities Across the State

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today announced the start of construction on the Rev. Dr. Mary Webster Wellness Center which will create 20 units of permanent supportive housing in the City of Utica for individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, including veterans and their families. The $12 million project received $10 million from OTDA's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.

"The apartments being developed at the Rev. Dr. Mary Webster Wellness Center in Utica will provide those who have experienced homelessness, including veterans and their families, with safe, affordable housing they can call home, as well as easy access to the essential services they need to live stable, independent lives," New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said. "We are grateful to Utica Development Corporation and all our partners on this important project and to Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to supporting the well-being of New York's veterans."

Developed by Utica Center for Development, Inc. (UCD), the Rev. Dr. Mary Webster Wellness Center involves the substantial rehabilitation and conversion of a two-story building that was formerly used as a YWCA. The project will be built in two phases, with the first phase consisting of the development of 12 units of housing for veterans, and eight units of housing for those diagnosed with a serious mental illness. The second phase, to be developed later with other funding, will consist of a wellness center that will includes support services space, a fitness center, and the only indoor public-use pool in the city of Utica.

Additional capital funding for the Rev. Dr. Mary Webster Wellness Center includes $200,000 from the New York State Department of Veterans Services, $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding from the City of Utica, $525,000 from UCD, and $200,000 from the Mohawk Valley Rehabilitation Corporation.

Operating funding for the project is being provided by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative administered by OTDA.

New York State Department of Veterans' Services Commissioner Viviana M. DeCohen said, "The Department of Veterans' Services is proud to contribute funding toward this vital project, which will provide Veterans and their families with permanent supportive housing in Utica. I thank Governor Hochul for her steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to ensuring that all who served have access to safe, stable homes and the resources they need to thrive. I also commend our colleagues at OTDA for their dedication to expanding supportive housing statewide, and I applaud the Utica Center for Development for its impactful programming. During my visit to the UCD this summer, I witnessed firsthand the depth of their compassion and the breadth of their services and programming for Veterans in Central New York. The Rev. Dr. Mary Webster Wellness Center exemplifies their remarkable work and the strength of this impactful state and local partnership."

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "The Rev. Dr. Mary Webster Wellness Center represents a powerful investment in the future of Utica and the lives of those who have struggled with homelessness. This project will create 20 stable, supportive apartments for families, including veterans, and will stand as a shining example of Governor Hochul's commitment to reimagining underused spaces as homes for those who need them most. Developments like The Rev. Dr. Mary Webster Wellness Center complement HCR's $25 billion Housing Plan that is well on its way to creating 100,000 affordable and supportive homes here in the Mohawk Valley and across the State."

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said, "This project is a tremendous step forward in addressing homelessness in our community while also honoring our veterans and supporting those facing some of life's greatest challenges. The Rev. Dr. Mary Webster Wellness Center will not only provide safe and stable housing, but also connect individuals and families to the critical services they need to rebuild their lives. It is especially fitting that it bears the name of Mary Webster, whose legacy of service and compassion continues to inspire. I thank the Utica Center for Development, New York State, the City of Utica and the Mohawk Valley Rehabilitation Corporation for their commitment to bringing this vital resource to Oneida County."

Utica Center for Development, Inc. Executive Director Vincent Scalise said, "The UCD is very grateful to the State of New York and all it partners that have helped us get here. We are proud to serve our community and help those that need our help the most, while at the same time reviving another building in the City of Utica that holds such a rich history."

A key function of UCD is operating the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center (CNYVOC), which assists an average of 2,500 veterans and their families each year offering case management; legal aid; financial and benefits assistance; and basic necessities, such as food, household items, and transportation. The CNYVOC operates offices in Utica, Oneonta, Rome, and Watertown and serves all of Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Lewis, Jefferson, Otsego, Delaware, Greene, Ulster, Schoharie, Chenango, and St. Lawrence Counties.

The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) is an important component of Governor Hochul's five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. In addition to playing a central role in the development and preservation of permanent supportive housing in New York State, HHAP provides capital funding that is vital to constructing, rehabilitating, and repairing emergency shelters.