Ethel T. Chamberlain

Organization Name: Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc.

Project Title: Ethel T. Chamberlain

Project Location: Syracuse, NY

Project Description:
This project represents a joint effort between Housing Visions Consultants, Inc., and Salvation Army, Syracuse Area Services to relocate Salvation Army’s existing Women’s Shelter and provide much needed permanent supportive housing units. The goal is to bring together the shelter component and the permanent supportive housing component under one roof is an ideal solution in terms of both programming and sustainability. The building underwent a full substantial gut rehabilitation that effectively resulted in a “new construction” building inside the shell of a structurally sound, architecturally significant exterior. The first floor contains the relocated shelter and the upper three floors contain the permanent supportive housing. The project has been rehabilitated to meet both the EPA’s Energy Star program and Enterprise’s Green Community program requirements. Project amenities include Energy Star appliances, cable hook-up, central air, private bulk storage, off-street parking, and access to laundry and community room facilities. Originally built in 1926, in September 2017 it was listed on the National Register of Historic properties.

Community Impact:
This project provides 16 permanent supportive housing units for high Medicaid using women living with chronic homelessness and mental illness as well as 15 units of emergency housing. The shelter refers appropriate high need chronically homeless women to the permanent supportive housing. Having the emergency shelter and the permanent housing located in one building allows for an easy transition for this high risk population. The Salvation Army Women’s Shelter is a unique homeless shelter collaborating with Onondaga County. Together we are able to provide the necessary support for homeless women with mental health issues. Support services include but are not limited to: assessment of needs, assistance with moving costs, case management, education services, employments assistance & job training, housing search & counseling services, legal services, life skills training, mental health services, outpatient health services, outreach services, and substance abuse treatment services. These support services and programs are intended to move residents from poverty to financial stability. The majority of these services will provided on site by the Salvation Army.

Organization Description:
Housing Visions is a 30 yr. old nonprofit that purchases, develops, substantially rehabilitates or newly constructs homes, and performs property management functions with emphasis on urban infill, scattered site, neighborhood based development. Housing Visions collaborates and partners with local neighborhood organizations that are interested in improving the quality of housing and the quality of life in their communities. Each partnership is unique, merging the abilities and the dedication of those involved to bring about a long lasting revitalization.

Team Members:

Housing Visions Unlimited; Holmes, King, Kallquist & Assoc. Architects, Twain Financial, Housing Visions Construction Company, and Greater Syracuse LandBank

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