Bryant School Apartments, the adaptive reuse of a former public school into 39 affordable homes for working families in the Steuben County city of Hornell, is complete. The energy-efficient building is adjacent to public transit and within a mile of the city’s growing downtown district.
“Access to affordable, modern, secure housing is a primary concern for New Yorkers in every region of the state, one we are committed to addressing head-on,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “The city of Hornell is in tune with our statewide, multi-pronged efforts to solve the housing crisis and create communities with strong local economies that people of all income levels can be proud to call home. This innovative project will create the types of high-quality, sustainable homes that my administration is supporting in every corner of New York.”
In the last five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved 3,500 affordable homes in the Southern Tier.
The Bryant School closed in 2021. As part of the project, the existing two-story, 50,000-square-foot building was renovated, and a new 8,500-square-foot addition was constructed at the south end of the building. The developers, Park Grove Development and Providence Housing preserved the school’s original hallway tile, entrance sign, playground, mature trees, and fenced-in greenspace while adding modern amenities including a fitness center, community room with kitchen, and laundry rooms on each floor.
All 39 apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income and residents will have free high-speed broadband internet.
The development is in a walkable neighborhood and adjacent to a Hornell Area Transit bus stop, providing residents access to shopping, healthcare, and recreational and educational facilities within the Hornell community.
Bryant School Apartments adheres to the latest Enterprise Green Communities requirements and was awarded funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s New Construction Housing Program to achieve a high level of sustainability and carbon reduction. All apartments have ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, equipment and lighting, low-VOC building materials, and integrated pest management.
State financing for the $14.3 million development includes $7.7 million in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, $2 million in State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and $3.5 million in subsidy from HCR. NYSERDA awarded $39,000 under the New Construction – Housing Program. The city of Hornell IDA awarded the project a PILOT agreement.
