TRUMANSBURG, N.Y. — A 40-unit multi-family affordable housing proposal in Trumansburg took another step forward Tuesday with the announcement of nearly $1 million in funding awarded by New York State for its green, energy-efficient design.
Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services was awarded $932,280 by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority as part of the first round of New York State’s Buildings of Excellence Competition for its highly energy-efficient affordable housing development in the Village of Trumansburg, Village Grove Apartments. Last week, the Village of Trumansburg Planning Board granted the project preliminary approval.
The proposed project is part of the larger proposed Crescent Way subdivision that received preliminary approval from the Village of Trumansburg Planning Board on Tuesday. It’s being touted as INHS’ greenest project ever.
The entire Crescent Way project would add six affordable rental townhomes, 10 affordable for sale townhomes in addition to the 40-unit affordable building. There would also be 17 market-rate units for sale and a nursery school.
The building will be one of the first affordable housing developments in Upstate New York to attain Passive House certification and utilize ground source heat pumps. A passive building is an airtight and uses various system to recover heat that would otherwise be lost in a traditionally constructed. The project’s team plans to achieve net-zero emissions through the purchase of off-site community solar, according to a press release from INHS.
“INHS is committed to high quality building standards, and this funding will allow us to continue on our path of building sustainable affordable housing that improves the quality of life for our residents, and the community as a whole,” said INHS Executive Director Johanna Anderson.
Earlier this year, Gov.Andrew Cuomo announced $30 million for its “Buildings of Excellence” Competition to advance the design, construction and operation of low- and zero-carbon emitting building projects that also provide comfortable, healthy and affordable living and working spaces.
“Reducing harmful emissions from buildings is critically important to our carbon neutral future and a vital part of New York’s aggressive strategy to curb the impacts of climate change and stimulate green economic development,” said Cuomo.
The project received preliminary approval from the village planning board after a contentious approval process that spanned nearly three years. Mayor Rordan Hart released a statement Wednesday outlining his plans to work with the developer to come up with a Payment In Lieu of Taxes that would see the village take in some money before the project is completed as well as working with INHS to assist the village in the grant application process to aid in the development of a stormwater management plan.
“INHS is a local organization with deep roots in the community spanning decades, and not a disinterested out-of-state corporate entity,” said Hart. “My hope is that what has been a somewhat controversial project marked by a sometimes contentious process, will prove to be a long term win for the Village.”