Mixed-Income
Housing
Quality housing is essential for the stability of the neighborhood. It helps to ensure that Beechwood and EMMA remain places where new residents have good options and can age in place. All residents should have access to safe and quality housing options; this includes a mix of newly built and rehabbed affordable housing, home improvement opportunities, and housing-related support for both homeowners and renters.
Work with partners to reactivate vacant lots, rehabilitate vacant homes, and renovate existing homes to increase housing choice, improve housing quality, and stabilize blocks.
We must commit to development without displacement. New development should improve the quality of life of current residents, encouraging them to stay in the community.
Make EMMA and
Beechwood neighborhoods where residents can age in place, remaining an intergenerational community that is safe and welcoming for all ages.
Provide a balance between growth and preservation. It is important to hold on to the culture and community that characterize the neighborhoods today while still thinking big and taking bold action.
GOALS
Housing Demographic
Connected Communities supports residents of both Beechwood and EMMA, encompassing renters, homeowners, and landlords, each with distinct needs and resource requirements. No single group holds precedence over the others. Given the diverse demographics within the Beechwood and EMMA neighborhoods, Connected Communities provides support to all individuals mentioned above.
Renters
Renters, the vibrant backbone of our communities, possess a diverse range of needs that shape the fabric of our neighborhoods. From seeking stability and security to fostering a sense of belonging, renters play a pivotal role in creating thriving environments where everyone can flourish. Their voices echo the aspirations and dreams that drive progress and innovation. By recognizing and addressing the needs of renters, we empower individuals to shape their living spaces, fostering a collective journey towards inclusivity and prosperity.
Homeowners
Homeowners, the guardians of our communities, have various needs that shape our neighborhoods positively. They seek stability and prosperity, contributing to the resilience and ambition of our shared spaces. By acknowledging and meeting homeowners' needs, we empower them to create spaces that reflect their values, fostering a legacy of strength and empowerment for the future.
Landlords
Landlords, the guardians of housing opportunities, encompass a spectrum of needs vital to the health of rental communities. Anchored in the pursuit of sustainable investments and vibrant neighborhoods, landlords serve as stewards of housing accessibility and stability. Their commitment fuels the availability of safe and inclusive homes, nurturing a sense of security and belonging for tenants. By acknowledging and championing the needs of responsible landlords, we empower them to maintain their crucial role in offering quality housing options, thereby enriching the collective welfare of our society.
Beechwood Family Apartments
Beechwood Family Apartments will comprise 54 new homes across 21 buildings on vacant sites scattered throughout Rochester’s Beechwood neighborhood. Twelve apartments will be set aside as supportive housing for families in need of services. The lead developer is Home Leasing, LLC, and Connected Communities is the nonprofit development. We are so excited to bring this project to fruition for our community!
Landlord Fund Program Guidelines
Program Overview
EMMA and Beechwood are two neighborhoods home to many rent-burdened families and at risk of gentrification. This fund is provided to landlords in exchange for compliance with a five-year affordability guarantee and automatic option to renew for tenants. This program assists landlords with one or more properties in EMMA and Beechwood to undertake maintenance and repairs, with the goal of improving the affordability and quality of the rental market as a whole in the area. Preference is given to occupied units in which landlords can provide tenant references.
The grant functions as a forgivable loan. The loan will be forgiven in equal increments over the five-year term as the landlord complies with the terms of the agreement. Qualifying landlords may apply once every six months. Priority is given to first-time applicants. Based on funds availability and other factors, program recipients are welcome to apply for grants for additional qualifying projects. Funds are paid upon Connected Communities’ receipt of invoice(s) for eligible maintenance and repair activities. The funds may be recaptured with a rate of 20% interest added if a landlord breaks the terms of the agreement or commits any illegal practices against tenants of the units during the five-year compliance period. In the event of a sale, the selling landlord has options either repay the unearned portion of the grant or provide assurances along with the buyer that buyer will abide by the remaining term of the agreement.
Grant Awards: Up to $5,000 for a single unit
Up to $7,000 for two or more units in the same property
Expected # of grants: 20-22
Compliance Period Ends 5 years After Approval
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Eligible Uses Of Funds
Only certain maintenance and repair activities will be eligible for reimbursement under this grant. These activities are intended to decrease neighborhood transiency, eviction rates, and barriers to responsible upkeep for small, local landlords. Proposed activities must be approved by the tenant. All funds must be used for properties in the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods.
Applicant Eligibility
Residential Rental property owners in the city of Rochester are eligible for this program if they:
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Own a rental unit in EMMA or Beechwood. To see if your property is within neighborhood boundaries, click here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Q1KHwKSfRLuwE39JdQY2WmmGGq3EMspF&usp=sharing
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Are current on all property taxes
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Are not in mortgage foreclosure for any of their properties
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Are in good standing with code enforcement on all of their properties
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Are not on the Federal Excluded Parties Entity List
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Willing to submit proposed unit(s) to a free home energy assessment from PathStone
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Application Requirements
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Application form:
- Basic owner contact information
- List of all properties owned in the City of Rochester, including by LLCs
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Program agreement with blanks, filled in and signed
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Checked boxes for eligible maintenance/repair activities planned
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Signed W-9
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Completed conflict of interest disclosure form (if applicable)
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Photos of areas in the unit planned for maintenance or minor repair
Sign and date the application and include all of the above-required documentation.
INCOMPLETE applications cannot be processed.
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Contact Information
Please contact us with any questions at:
lashunda@connectedcommunitiesroc.org or 585-488-4880.