Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the completion of Alberta Place, a $12.3 million 46-unit affordable housing development in Amherst serving adults over age 55.
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Built with support from the New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the development features seven fully accessible apartments with supportive services for residents in need of assistance to live independently.
Built on a site previously occupied by a vacant firehouse, Alberta Place features 38 one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom units. The three-story structure includes 19 apartments serving households with incomes at or below 50 percent of the area median income and 27 units for those earning below 60 percent of the area median income.
State Homes and Community Renewal provided nearly $9.3 million in equity through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program and $2.4 million in Housing Trust Fund subsidy. In addition, Amherst contributed $300,000 to the project, while the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided $46,000 from its Low-rise Residential New Construction program.
The development features a community room with kitchen area, trash and laundry rooms on each floor, a lounge and computer room, and a site management office. The building has easy access to neighborhood services, including retail, pharmacies, health centers, banking and recreational facilities, as well as an extensive public transportation system that provides direct access to downtown Buffalo
Alberta Place was designed to be energy efficient, reduce environmental impacts, and provide long-term cost savings to both tenants and owner, thereby meeting the 2015 Enterprise Green Communities criteria. Energy-saving measures include LED lights, motion activated lights in common areas, light sensors on parking lot lights, and ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and equipment.
The project was developed by Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc., a company that has built more than 2,000 rental and single-family housing units throughout the region. Key Bank Community Development Corporation was the tax credit investor and Key Bank was the construction lender. Western New York Independent Living, Inc., a family of agencies that provides services and programs that assist individuals with disabilities, is providing supportive services. ■