Beechwood Family Apartments Will Appeal to Households of Different Sizes, Includes Supportive Units
July 1, 2025 – New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas along with project development and funding partners today announced the start of construction at Beechwood Family Apartments, a 54-unit affordable and supportive housing development in the city of Rochester. The $28 million development will appeal to families of different sizes with a mix of two, three, and four bedroom units. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, HCR has financed more than 7,000 affordable homes in the Finger Lakes region, including more than 4,000 in Rochester. Beechwood Family Apartments continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year housing plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.
“New Yorkers need more opportunities to find safe, modern, affordable homes,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “Beechwood Family Apartments embodies our comprehensive approach to increasing the supply of affordable housing in Rochester and beyond. Together with our local partners, we are delivering results and combatting the state’s housing crisis one development at a time.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “New York is committed to making housing affordable for families. This $28 million project will give 54 households the opportunity to afford their homes while also preserving the character of the surrounding neighborhood. We thank Governor Hochul and each of our partners for their dedication to creating affordable housing and working together to bring projects like this to the city of Rochester.”
Units at Beechwood Family Apartments will be available to households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income. There are twelve apartments reserved for tenants eligible to receive on-site support services including case management, health programming, referrals to financial literacy and counseling programs, life-skill building, and service coordination. The fully-electric development will feature ENERGY STAR(r) appliances and electric vehicle charging.
Located in Rochester’s Beechwood neighborhood, the site is served by three bus routes and an electric scooter share program. A grocery store and schools are within walking distance.
The development is spread across 21 buildings of various sizes such as apartment buildings, townhomes, and houses. They are designed to respect the existing scale and character of the surrounding neighborhood with context-sensitive features including porches, front-gable roofs, and double-hung windows.
Beechwood Family Apartments furthers the community revitalization goals articulated Rochester 2034, the City of Rochester’s 15-year Comprehensive Plan. The City rezoned a portion of the neighborhood to accommodate the project and provided the vacant, unused lots for development.
The project is developed by Home Leasing and co-developed with Connected Communities. The YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County will provide the on-site support services to eligible tenants.
Beechwood Family Apartments is supported by HCR’s Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program that is expected to generate $15 million in equity, its State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program that is expected to generate $3.2 million in equity, $3 million from its New Construction Program, $2.3 million from its Supportive Housing Opportunity Program, $537,000 from its Federal Housing Trust Fund, and nearly $300,000 from its Clean Energy Initiative, created in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
The City of Rochester is providing $600,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and a Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement. The Community Preservation Corporation is providing a $1.9 million SONYMA-insured permanent loan. Eight units are set aside for project-based vouchers through the Rochester Housing Authority. Operating funding for the supportive apartments will be provided by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “The Beechwood Family Apartments demonstrate how New York families can benefit from the latest modern, energy efficient building solutions. NYSERDA is proud to support this meaningful project which will introduce more clean, affordable living spaces to the City of Rochester while helping to move theState toward an equitable clean energy future.”
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “When completed, Beechwood Family Apartments will increase the supply of much-needed affordable and supportive housing in Monroe County and provide residents who have experienced homelessness with safe homes and onsite access to essential services that will help them live stable, independent lives in their community. We are grateful for Governor Hochul’s strong support of the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and for prioritizing the creation of permanent supportive housing in communities across New York State.”
Senator Charles Schumer said, “Every family in Rochester deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered millions to help build more than 50 affordable units at Beechwood Family Apartments in Rochester. These new all-electric homes will be easily accessible and close to public transit. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation so we must create more housing of different sizes for working people to bring down those high prices. I applaud Governor Hochul’s work increasing access to affordable housing to the city of Rochester, and I will continue working to deliver federal resources to deliver more affordable housing across New York.”
Congressman Joe Morelle said, “Every family deserves a safe, stable place to call home. These new affordable housing units—tailored to families of all sizes—will help bring opportunity and further investment to Rochester’s Beechwood neighborhood. I’m thankful to Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to our community, and I look forward to building on this momentum together.”
State Senator Samra Brouk said, “We need affordable housing options for working families in Rochester. The Beechwood Family Apartments ensure that households of all sizes are close to the essential resources they need to thrive. I applaud Governor Hochul for this $28 million investment in our community to help families feel comfortable, safe, and supported.”
Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, “I am thrilled to welcome the Beechwood Family Apartments to my district. Affordable, secure homes are critical to helping our families and neighborhoods thrive. This $28 million dollar investment is a direct reflection of the goals outlined in Rochester’s 2034 Comprehensive Plan to add affordable, right-sized homes near transportation and amenities. Thank you Governor Hochul, Mayor Malik Evans, and Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas for your continued investment in the Beechwood neighborhood.”
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “Affordable housing is not just a necessity — it’s the foundation of a thriving, equitable community. This project brings 54 new, energy-efficient housing units to the Beachwood neighborhood, reflecting our commitment to both public safety and environmental sustainability. It’s a win for our families, a win for our future — made possible through the leadership of Governor Hochul, NYS Homes and Community Renewal and the strong partnership with Mayor Evans.”
Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans said, “Beechwood Family Apartments shows exactly what the future of affordable housing looks like – high-quality homes, scattered across neighborhoods, serving families of every size, and supporting residents with the services they need to succeed. I am grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership and shared vision that quality housing is a right for everyone. This is the momentum that is making Rochester stronger, safer, and more equitable, one home and one block at a time.”
Megan Houppert, CEO of Home Leasing, said, “We are so pleased to have begun construction of Beechwood Family Apartments in Rochester. The creation of new affordable, family-sized housing on scattered infill sites throughout the Beechwood neighborhood furthers our mission to improve the lives of our residents and the communities in which we work. This would not have been possible without our partnership with Connected Communities or the support of the City of Rochester and New York State Homes and Community Renewal.”
Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith, Executive Director of Connected Communities, said, “Connected Communities is proud to co-develop the Beechwood Family Apartments alongside Home Leasing—an investment that reflects our deep commitment to equitable, resident-driven neighborhood revitalization. Housing is a fundamental need, and no one in our community should go without it. This project is a direct result of our Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan and exemplifies our ongoing efforts to meet the needs of families in Beechwood and EMMA. We’re grateful for partners who share our belief that every resident deserves access to safe, affordable housing and the opportunity to thrive.”
Carrie Michel-Wynne, YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County Vice President of Strategic Partnerships said, “YWCA is proud to partner with Connected Communities and Home Leasing to create a welcoming portfolio of affordable housing in the Beechwood neighborhood. YWCA’s 140-year legacy of providing supportive housing prepares us to offer support services to 12 families in a beautiful and welcoming neighborhood. Together, we are committed to creating a safe and stable environment where families can heal, grow, and thrive.”
Miriam Zinter, Vice President and Mortgage Officer, The Community Preservation Corporation said, “The Beechwood Family Apartments represents the kind of investment that brings lasting impact to a community through the transformation of these vacant sites into high-quality, energy-efficient homes. This project will not only address the urgent need for affordable and supportive housing, it will also breathe new life and new opportunity into underutilized spaces here in the Beechwood community. CPC is proud to support Governor Hochul and our partners at HCR, the City of Rochester, Home Leasing, and Connected Communities in helping to make this important project a reality.”