Applicants Sought for Chambers Court Apartments

State Senator John Bonacic attends inauguration ceremony

02/25/2004 - Town of Ulster, NY -- The first building at the Chambers Court Apartments development was near completion Monday when officials announced the beginning of the formal rent-up process for the project. On the drawing boards since 2001, developers anticipate the first new residents will be able to move in by the end of April, with completion of all units expected before the end of September. The 72 affordable apartment units in the Town of Ulster are the first to be built there in three decades and those wishing to live at the Chambers Court site must submit applications before 4:30 pm on March 12.
Governor Pataki was represented at the project inauguration by Judith A. Calogero, Commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal. The Commissioner spoke about the importance of affordable housing for seniors and the types of collaboration required to make that happen. Taking questions from reporters, she also talked about the ripple effect of construction of senior housing in a community saying that for every dollar spent on the project, $9 additional dollars would be spent in ripple effect in the community.
State Senator John Bonacic, who represents the Town of Ulster in the Senate, attended ceremonies marking the beginning of the project. Senator Bonacic also serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development. “Safe and affordable housing for our seniors is essential. I am pleased to have been able to work in support of this development and look forward to its completion,” Senator Bonacic said.
Steve Aaron, Managing Member of Birches Associates LLC, whose company is developing the property, told those assembled he hopes it is just the first of many. “This has not been easy, by any stretch of the imagination,” said Aaron. “But seeing this through and reaching this day has certainly been a rewarding experience. I look forward to the day when our seniors are actually living here, enjoying their surroundings and able to participate in community life at whatever level of frequency they choose.”
Aaron, whose father built Yosman Tower in Kingston, said the Chambers Court Apartments represent an evolution of a fine tradition. “In its day, Yosman was a state-of-the-art building and allowed people to move from some really awful living conditions, to a safe and clean environment. Today the needs of the community – and the models we seek to achieve – are different, as are the hurdles. But as we watch housing costs escalate in a fashion so dramatic none of us ever could have imagined it, there’s no question that the need for affordable housing continues to grow – and continues to outpace the speed with which developers are willing to build.”
Aaron went on to note that he understands why few developers are willing to build affordable housing, which often creates controversy when proposed in a community. But he added, most of the seniors currently living in the region can’t afford a $200,000 condo or a $450,000 town house. “At the end of the day,” Aaron said, “we’ll feel proud of what we’ve accomplished, and good about what we’re doing – not just for the aging seniors who’ve given their whole lives to their communities, but for their children and grandchildren as well.”
During the ceremony, which marked the formal beginning of the rent-up leasing phase of the project, Aaron noted that the award-winning Kingston Housing Authority (KHA) would manage and maintain the apartments. “They don’t just put roofs over people’s heads,” said Aaron, “they create communities and care about their residents. The people who live in these apartments will appreciate having a conscientious, local management team.” Albert Spada, Chair of the KHA Board of Commissioners and KHA Executive Director Steven Fischer were on hand for the ceremony, as were Ulster County Legislature Chairman Richard Gerentine and Town of Ulster Supervisor, Fred Wadnola.
To be eligible for a one- or two- bedroom apartment in the Chambers Court Apartments, applicants must be at least 55 years of age. Affordability annual income levels to be considered will range from $8,075 to $28,464, but in some cases, people with higher incomes may also be eligible. Initial rents will range from a low of $323 per month to a high of $593. On site amenities include water, heat, trash removal, laundry facilities, a community room and well lit off street parking with public bus stop adjoining. Of the 72 apartment units, 11 have been designated to serve frail elderly residents and will have additional special safety and accessibility features built in.
Anyone hoping to move in during the initial rent-up phase must apply for consideration on or before March 12, 2004. Applications are available at the KHA (331-1955) and at the Chambers Court Community Center. Those who applied for an apartment prior to the beginning of the official rent-up period must complete updated, official applications which were mailed to them and send those applications back directly to the KHA before the March 12 deadline.
Birchez Associates LLC is committed to becoming New York's premier developer and builder of quality affordable and market rate housing for seniors, working families, veterans and those with disabilities. For more information on Birchez, contact 845-331-2097 or log on to www.birchez.com. The Kingston Housing Authority was formed in 1948 to provide starter housing for returning war veterans. Today KHA owns and/or manages nearly 700 different public and private apartment units serving nearly 1,600 people. KHA also manages and maintains privately owned commercial properties and conducts a variety of programs that encourage self-sufficiency and healthy life-style choices for residents. For more information on KHA, contact 854-331-1955 or log on to www.kingstonhousing.org.

Show All Headlines