With the help of a state grant, a Rochester-based nonprofit is exploring building 30 new affordable housing units in Cayuga County.
DePaul Community Services was one of more than 100 recipients of the third phase of Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative awards announced by the state last week. As an awardee, DePaul is eligible to receive up to $25,000 in services and operating funds for each new supportive housing unit.
While the agency has been around for 60 years, providing affordable, mental health and senior housing in multiple counties in New York, as well as North and South Carolina, the grant received was for a first-time expansion into Cayuga County, James Plastiras of the state’s Office of Mental Health confirmed.
“I think we have a nice opportunity to serve people in (the Cayuga County) community,” Vice President of DePaul Properties Gillian Conde said last week.
Conde said that there is “no full-blown project yet,” as the grant provides money for the services for the proposed 30 news housing units — 20 for mental health housing and 10 for the frail elderly — but not the brick and mortar. Now that the agency has this grant, however, she said it will begin seeking funding for a building.
