New York Construction Report staff writer
Construction has begun on Harbor House at the YWCA, a $50.6 million supportive housing development in Schenectady’s Stockade Historic District that will preserve 42 existing homes and add 54 new apartments.
The project will rehabilitate the historic 1930 Colonial Revival-style YWCA building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, while constructing a new all-electric building on the site.
Both buildings will provide apartments affordable to households earning up to 50 per cent of the Area Median Income, with on-site supportive services delivered by YWCA North Eastern New York. Services include case management, housing stabilization, wellness programming, and connections to employment and community resources.
“Today’s groundbreaking initiative at Harbor House is another step toward making New York more affordable for all,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “Developments like Harbor House are proof that our partnerships at the local level are making a positive impact across the state.”
The rehabilitation of the historic building will maintain its Single Room Occupancy (SRO) layout, providing individual rooms with shared kitchens, dining, and lounge areas. Upgrades will include electrified heating and cooling systems, energy-efficient windows, improved insulation, upgraded electrical systems, environmental remediation, and a new elevator to enhance accessibility. The existing gymnasium will be restored according to National Park Service standards and will host fitness programming for tenants and the surrounding community.
The new building will be fully electric and designed to meet Energy Star Multifamily New Construction standards and Enterprise Green Communities 2020 certification requirements, featuring Energy Star appliances, high-performance windows, LED lighting, and low-flow plumbing fixtures. Residents will also have access to three community rooms, landscaped outdoor space, and easy access to public transportation, healthcare providers, and nearby parks.
State financing includes roughly $14.2 million in equity generated through New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, $23.4 million in subsidies, and more than $5.6 million from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’ Homeless Housing and Assistance Program for new construction.
Additional support includes $1.2 million from the Clean Energy Initiative, $1.7 million in HOME-ARPA funding from Schenectady County, and $959,000 in city ARPA funds. Operating expenses for the new units are supported through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, while units in the historic building will continue receiving services through the New York State Supportive Housing Program.
Under Gov. Hochul, HCR has created or preserved more than 600 affordable homes in Schenectady. Harbor House aligns with the state’s $25 billion, five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.
