Letter to the Honorable Shaun Donovan, Secretary US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Letter

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $8,587,883 to Loretto Central New York (CNY). This Assisted Living Conversion Program (ALCP) grant will be used to support Loretto CNY's efforts to revitalize and sustain affordable housing for senior citizens in Syracuse. Loretto CNY will develop 39 new apartments and build a much-needed elevator at the Bernadine Apartment Center.

"We have a responsibility to stand up for our elderly and fight for the funding they deserve," Schumer said. "During these times of economic uncertainty, seniors often struggle the most. The least we can do is provide supportive housing. I applaud HUD's decision to award this ALCP grant to Loretto CNY."

Onondaga County is experiencing a continuing increase in the number of elderly residents, causing the demand for suitable, quality housing for senior residents to exceed what is currently available. This project is an essential component of Loretto CNY's efforts to maintain a community that is safe, welcoming, and accessible to all members.

The main mission of Loretto CNY is to improve the quality of life for all senior citizens in Upstate New York by adhering to the values of justice, inclusiveness and integrity. The organization is the largest provider of elder care services in Upstate New York and its services include a broad spectrum of care, from independent living and adult medical day programs to rehabilitation and skilled nursing care. With the addition of PACE CNY, a cutting edge program based on the nationally renowned PACE model, which stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, Loretto CNY has established a strong tradition of innovation within the field of senior care.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Multifamily Housing Programs works to provide thousands of senior citizens and persons with disabilities with access to affordable supportive housing each year. Assisted Living Conversion Program funding will cover basic physical conversion of existing project units, common and services space. The ALCP provides funding for the physical costs of converting some or all of the units of an eligible development into an ALF, including the unit configuration, common and services space and any necessary remodeling, consistent with HUD or the State's statute/regulations (whichever is more stringent). There must be sufficient community space to accommodate a central kitchen or dining facility, lounges, recreation and other multiple areas available to all residents of the project, or office/staff spaces in the ALF. Funding for the supportive services must be provided by the owners, either directly or through a third party, such as medicaid, SSI payments, State or Area Agency on Aging, etc. Only private nonprofit owners of Section 202, Section 8 project based [including Rural Housing Services' Section 515], Section 221(d)(3) BMIR, Section 236 housing developments that are designated primarily for occupancy by the elderly for at least five years are eligible for funding.

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter to Secretary Donovan appears below:

August 12, 2011

The Honorable Shaun Donovan

Secretary

US Department of Housing and Urban Development

451 7th Street, SW

Washington, DC 20410

Dear Secretary:

I am pleased to write today in support of the application submitted by Loretto Central New York for funding under the Assisted Living Conversion Program (ALCP). Such funding will enable Loretto to continue critical improvements to the Bernadine Apartments, which are a Section 246 Project that provides housing and assistive services to the frail and elderly.

A primary mission of Loretto is to improve the quality of life for all senior citizens in Upstate New York by adhering to the values of justice, inclusiveness and integrity. The organization is the largest provider of elder care services in Upstate New York and its services include a broad spectrum of care, from independent living and adult medical day programs to rehabilitation and skilled nursing care. With the addition of PACE CNY, a cutting edge program based on the nationally renowned PACE model, which stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, Loretto CNY has established a strong tradition of innovation within the field of senior care.

With funding, Loretto will be able to convert and renovate thirty-nine additional apartments and add a full-size elevator at the Bernadine Apartment Center. Nearly 200 frail and disabled residents are provided with housing assistive services at Bernadine, and over the last few years, ALCP funding has been utilized to convert 130 apartments, eighteen common areas, and two passenger elevators. Additional ALCP funding will enable Bernadine to continue to provide for the safety and security of our elderly, and I applaud Loretto for its foresight. I sincerely hope the application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration. For additional information, please to do not hesitate to contact me or my Grants Director, Grant Kerr, in my Washington office at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

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