Ogdensburg Supportive Housing Project Opens With 42 Apartments for Homeless Residents

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced the completion of Knox Street Building 2 in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County. The project created 42 units of permanent supportive housing for individuals who have experienced homelessness.

The developer is S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc., a nonprofit based in Ogdensburg that has provided affordable and supportive housing since 1997. The total cost was $10.6 million, of which $9.7 million came from OTDA’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP). Other funding includes a $750,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s Affordable Home Program and a $147,000 contribution from S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P. Operating funds are provided through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, which OTDA administers.

The three-story building sits on the same property as Lincoln School Apartments, a former elementary school that S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P. renovated into 20 units of permanent supportive housing, also with HHAP funding.

• Residents will have access to services provided on site by S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P. and off site by other community agencies.
• Services include a mental health drop-in center, harm reduction programs and case management.
• Help is also offered with nutritional education, independent living skills, volunteer and vocational opportunities, and benefit enrollment.

OTDA Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said the project will give vulnerable individuals permanent housing and direct access to services they need to remain stably housed. HHAP is part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

Why it matters

The project adds 42 permanent supportive units in St. Lawrence County, with on-site services. It shows how state HHAP capital funding is combined with federal and nonprofit money to build housing for people exiting homelessness.