2021 marked Housing Visions’ 31^st year in operation and what a year it was. Thankfully, the skill and tact of our Board of Directors and staff have assisted greatly as we navigated through the Covid pandemic. Covid has challenged and tested every aspect of our organization for nearly two years. We are proud of the efforts of our organization, and despite the challenges, we are a stronger and more nimble organization than before the pandemic began.

The pandemic is a serious reminder about the need for safe, decent, affordable housing for all people. Many of the residents we serve at Housing Visions were some of the most negatively impacted by Covid. High quality services and sound public policy regarding housing are essential to ensure that all individuals and families can maintain a roof over their heads. With the assistance of our funders, partners, volunteers, and advocates, we can work together to ensure we are meeting the needs of people in our communities.

2021 was a year of action at Housing Visions. We completed the renovation and preservation of a group of our original housing units along the East Genesee Street corridor and the Northside of Syracuse. This work will ensure that 66 units of high quality, affordable housing with 20 units reserved for survivors of domestic violence remain available for the next 50 years, while also maintaining and improving the aesthetics of the neighborhood. We also completed our Endicott Square development in Endicott, NY. The adaptive reuse of the Henry B. Endicott School resulted in 61 units of affordable and workforce housing with 15 units reserved for families at risk of homelessness.

In 2022 we will continue our real estate development with the completion of Harbor View Square in Oswego, NY and Northwoods in Plattsburgh, NY. Collectively, these two developments will produce 155 units of housing for individuals and families. In addition, these two projects will provide truly mixed-income housing each with their own unique features.

2022 will also formally launch our Housing Stability efforts. High quality services from our in-house staff will provide connections and relationships that enable tenants to maintain and build housing stability. This new service will improve our developments through longer-term tenancy, reduced rental arrears and lower maintenance costs.

As we approach nearly 2,000 units of housing across Upstate New York and Pennsylvania, we are just getting started. Housing Visions embraces collaboration and partnerships to solve housing issues. We proudly share our 30+ years of expertise in affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization and rise to meet the needs of communities we serve.

We are committed to finding unique and specialized approaches to solve housing and community development needs in diverse communities. Our staff and Board must work tirelessly to improve and innovate our model beyond the highly competitive 9% tax credits.

Our Mission is to be the catalyst for sustainable positive change in neighborhoods through real estate development and community collaboration. Our staff will show up every day to meet that Mission and continue our noble work.

Sincerely,
Ben Lockwood – President & CEO
Rebecca Trevisani – Executive Vice President & COO