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Monthly Archives: June 2013

South End Phase 3 Progress!!

The Albany Housing Authority in partnership with Omni Housing Development LLC is now constructing Phase 3 of a multi-phase affordable housing initiative throughout Albany’s South End in accordance to the City of Albany’s Capital South Plan, SEGway to the Future. The scattered-site development consists of 56 residential units in 6 new and 3 rehabilitated buildings and includes a commercial Laundromat that is available for public use. Phase 3 follows Phases 1 and 2, consisting of 52 and 43 units, respectively, and continues the replacement of residential units in the obsolete towers at Lincoln Square Homes. Units will be completed and become available for rental between September and December of 2013.

Omni Housing Development NEWS

Times Union Article

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Groundbreaking at South End Phase III

Celebrating Phase 3 of the continuing, expanding revitalization of Albany’s South End, 56 affordable housing units in eight buildings, to help meet high demand, and a 1,000 square foot commercial laundromat, as a necessary neighborhood amenity. All new construction, All Energy Star homes, 25 one-bedroom units, 25 two-bedroom units, Six three-bedroom units, $9.6 million construction cost of Phase 3.

Omni_Phase3_GG12106OMNI_phase3_GG12110

COMMENTS BY KEY PARTICIPANTS:

City of Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings:
“I applaud Omni Housing Development, the Albany Housing Authority, and the many stakeholders, who have, once again, demonstrated that when organizations work collaboratively and cooperatively, positive results occur. As a result, 56 new units of energy-star affordable housing will be made available to our residents; yet another visible testament to our vision of transforming the South End neighborhood.”

Commissioner/CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal Darryl C. Towns:
“The revitalization of Albany’s South End is a prime example of the type of community renewal and economic development to which Governor Cuomo is committed. The comprehensive plan includes housing, recreation, and educational components and will go a long way toward improving quality of life in Albany. HCR is proud to have worked with our partners at Omni Housing Development and Albany Housing Authority to rehabilitate the distressed properties that are part of phase III of the revitalization, and transform them into attractive, safe, affordable homes that will benefit residents and the entire city.”

Omni Housing Development LLC COO Duncan Barrett:
“What we do is all about people and places. Albany’s Historic South End is a special place. Omni Housing Development is proud to continue our partnership with the citizens and leaders of the South End and the City of Albany in this ongoing effort at renewal. Today’s ceremony marks one more step in our continuing journey towards that renewal.”

Albany Housing Authority Executive Director Steven T. Longo:
“Today marks an important milestone toward the implementation of the South End stakeholder plan to create new, modern, affordable and less-dense housing that will ultimately replace the obsolete 1960’s-era public housing high rises at Lincoln Square. These new apartments will increase the quality of life for our residents, as well as lay the foundation for private investment in this historic South End neighborhood.”

M&T Bank Regional President Mike Keegan:
“Reinvesting in our communities has always been a priority for us at M&T Bank because community redevelopment projects enhance both the local economy and the quality of life. The continued work of Omni Housing Development and the Albany Housing Authority to redevelop the South End has already resulted in several completed affordable housing projects and we look forward to another successful step toward transforming this neighborhood through South End Phase III.”

Omni Housing Development LLC and the Albany Housing Authority, acting as co-developers — with extensive experience in energy efficient, affordable housing — are leading the Phase 3 project team for revitalization of the South End Albany neighborhood, plus meeting all guidelines of the City of Albany Historic Resource Commission, and NYS Homes and Community Renewal Green Building Initiative. 3T Architects are part of the Phase 3 team.

Financing provided:
• $6,351,138 construction loan from M&T Bank.
• $6,149,273 from NYS Housing and Community Renewal Housing Trust Fund.
• $723,386 (over ten years dispensed annually) from the Low Income Housing and Tax Credit Program.
• $322,334 from Historic Tax Credits.
• $205,000 from the Albany Housing Authority.
• PNC Real Estate invested in tax credit equity.

Groundbreaking Program

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AHA Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda – June 10, 2013

AGENDA

ALBANY HOUSING AUTHORITY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013 at 2:00 P.M.

200 South Pearl Street

Roll Call.

Community Forum

Reading and approval of the minutes of the previous meeting held May 13, 2013

Action Calendar

06-13-25 Approval for AHA to contribute an additional amount up to $450,000 from the Capital Fund Program Budget to be applied to the abatement and demolition of building #5 at Ida Yarbrough Homes. The abatement and demolition will be overseen by Norstar Development under its existing MOU and will be done as a change order to the existing contract with Dan’s Hauling.

 

06-13-26 Approval to write off obsolete inventory items at the following AHA Warehouse locations totaling $15,102.39 and consist primarily of items we no longer use at the individual sites.

 

  • Robert Whalen Homes $736.86
  • Ida Yarbrough Homes $9,975.14
  • North Albany $334.05
  • Ezra Prentice $3,842.93
  • Westview $213.41

 

All inventory items will be segregated into lots and sold at an auction. All items not purchased will be scrapped.

 

Additional Non Inventory Equipment to be taken out of service:

 

  • Disposal of 12 Year old Steiner Club Car and associated attachments at Robert Whalen Homes. Equipment is in non-working order and will be sold for scrap.
  • 12 year old North Albany Van, #86. This will be sold at public Auction.
  • Disposal of 2 non-working Steiner blower attachments at Capital Woods

06-13-27 Approval of conditional eligibility for continuing health insurance coverage for Joseph M. Brennan and authorization for the Executive Director to enter into an Employment Agreement incorporating the terms of the existing Employment Agreement between the parties with modifications as necessary.

06-13-28 Review and approval of the 07/01/13 – 06/30/14 Federal Program budget.

06-13-29 Approval to contract with Albany Police Athletic League to operate a 4 week summer camp for youth who reside at various AHA developments in the North areas of Albany as well as youth from properties in the South End AHA’s contribution will be $25,000. A minimum of 50% of campers will be residents of PH housing sites. 8 AHA residents will receive a scholarship for a one week overnight camp experience in the Berkshires as well as 6 youth from the community adjacent to AHA properties. North camp location will be Hackett Park and 35 North First St. and the South End location will be Krank Park.

    • Camper Fees as follows:

 

  • Full Cost – $195.00 per week (no assistance)
  • Tier 2 – $130.00 per week (DSS)
  • Tier 3 – $105.00 per week (working families)
  • Tier 4 – $ 80.00 per week (single earner families)
  • Tier 5 – $40.00 per week (public housing/section 8/free & reduced school meals)

 

06-13-30 Approval to write-off tenant balances for the year end close for various AHA developments to maximize our financial indicators for PHAS.

Capital Woods: $2,019.20

Robert Whalen: $2,503.96

Westview: $5,507.87

Ezra Prentice: $4,334.28

North Albany: $1,173.31

Nutgrove: $1,912.47

Steamboat Square: $8,251.18

Lincoln Square: $5,107.58

Ida Yarbrough Lo rise: $4,922.20

Creighton Storey: $1,274.98

Ida Yarbrough Hi- rise: $4,072.36

Townsend: $2,120.51

Total $43,199.90

Total DSS (of the 43K) $10,010.56

Total Fraud (of the 43K) $10,870.86

 

06-13-31 Authorization to enter into 3 year, Firm Fixed Price contract, with incumbent vendor County Waste Service, Inc. of Clifton Park, NY in the amount of $1,129,513.24 for Refuse and Single Stream Recycling Services as a result of Invitation for Bid #0025-C-13-002 achieving a cost savings of 17% .

  • 2nd Low Bidder: Waste Management, Inc. Houston, TX $1,379,779.04
  • Ipek Container Services (ICS), Delmar, NY No Bid
  • Allied Waste Services , Albany NY No Bid

Please note: The City of Albany has 2 companies with the required variety of equipment and capacity to handle this amount of work. Publically advertised Bid notice and online outreach to 247 potential vendors only brought back 2 responses. Pricing received was within an acceptable range, agreed with current cost estimates and represents the competitive marketplace. Previous 2010 Trash and Recycling Procurement yielded 2 responses as well.

Reports of Committees

Unfinished Business

 

New Business:

Bills and Communications

 

Report of the Executive Secretary

  1. A. Monthly Management Report
  2. B. Monthly Financial Report (Deputy Director)
  3. C. Items for Advisement and Discussion
    • Bank Balance as of 6/5/13

Adjournment –

NEXT MEETING:

Monday, July 8, 2013 @ 2:00 p.m.

200 South Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12202

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ReThink Housing | Why Housing Matters

ReThink-logo2

Having a place to live is a basic need for everyone. Yet, for some people, it remains out of reach. Public housing serves approximately 2.2 million people across the U.S., but the need is much greater; more than half a million people are on waiting lists.

According to the ReThink Survey: Perceptions of Public Housing 2013, the overwhelming majority of Americans believe U.S. citizens deserve a safe and decent place to live. Yet most Americans surveyed do not support public housing in their own neighborhoods and would not want to live near a public housing unit.

Watch, read, and share the inspirational stories from public housing and rethink its impact on individuals, families, and your own community.

Visit the ReThink Housing Website!!

 

 

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