Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the completion of the $24 million Huntington Apartments project in Seneca Falls, a major step in providing affordable and supportive housing in the Finger Lakes region.
The newly redeveloped Huntington Building, a 19th-century structure once slated for demolition, now houses 53 energy-efficient apartments. Developed by Home Leasing, the project includes 27 units with on-site supportive services for veterans, offered through Eagle Star Housing and funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.
“The completion of Huntington Apartments is a testament to our commitment to creating vibrant, affordable communities across New York,” Governor Hochul said. “By transforming the historic Huntington Building into 53 energy-efficient homes… we are preserving Seneca Falls’ heritage while addressing our housing crisis.”
Located alongside the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years, it served as a car manufacturing plant, a box factory, and a Chrysler dealership before becoming vacant.
Of the 53 apartments, 52 are reserved for households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income, with one unit set aside for the building’s superintendent. All units feature ENERGY STAR appliances and meet high energy-efficiency standards under the EPA and Enterprise Green Communities programs.
The project is part of Seneca Falls’ $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), aimed at transforming local communities into vibrant, livable downtowns. The town was the Finger Lakes region winner in the fourth round of the DRI.
Funding for the Huntington Apartments came from a variety of state sources:
- Over $12.1 million in equity and $3.7 million in subsidies from state and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs.
- $7.1 million in federal and state historic tax credits through the NYS Historic Preservation Office.
- $800,000 in DRI funding from the Department of State, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR).
- Over $50,000 from NYSERDA’s High-Rise Multi-Family New Construction Program.
- A $475,000 SONYMA-insured permanent loan from the Community Preservation Corporation.
Seneca County Board of Supervisors Chair Michael Enslow said, “As Chairman of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors, I’m proud to see the Huntington Apartments project come to life — a reflection of our county’s strong commitment to affordable housing and downtown revitalization. By repurposing a historic landmark, we’re not only preserving our heritage but also providing much-needed housing for working families and veterans. We thank Governor Hochul and our state partners for their role in making this vision a reality for Seneca Falls and all of Seneca County.”
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