Real Plans. Real People. Real Progress.
1201 East Fayette Street
Syracuse, NY
13210
315.472.3820
Copyright © Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc.
Real Plans. Real People. Real Progress.
Real Plans. Real People. Real Progress.
Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc.
Starting as a taskforce of the
University United Methodist Church in 1989, a partnership of dedicated citizens
focused on making a positive change in the Syracuse Greater East Genesee Street
Neighborhood and by doing so, proved to be a catalyst for positive and lasting
changes. Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc. was formed as a not-for-profit
501(c)(3) in 1990 to improve the quality of housing and the quality of life in
this neighborhood and to create a model for revitalizing other neighborhoods.
Its charter later expanded to include additional census tracks in Syracuse’s
east side.
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors of Housing
Visions Unlimited, Inc. live in the service area and have knowledge of the
community and a commitment to its long term health. There are *85 on staff in
the areas of the Development, Operations, Maintenance, and Accounting and
Administrative teams.
Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc. is a Neighborhood
Preservation Company (NPC) and Community Housing Development Organization
(CHDO).
* number of staff as of April 2011
Housing Visions Development
Group, Inc.
Housing Visions Consultants, Inc.
Other cities soon took notice
of the quality of work and the neighborhood change that was occurring. Knowing
that majority membership from the community could not continue when expanding
into other neighborhoods, Housing Visions Development Group, Inc. and Housing
Visions Consultants, Inc. were formed.
Neighborhood representation was
achieved by partnering with local neighborhood organizations that were
interested in improving the quality of housing and the quality of life in their
communities. Each partnership is unique to the specific project, merging the
abilities and the dedication of those involved to bring about a long lasting
revitalization. The neighborhood revitalization model created by Housing Visions
Unlimited, Inc. continues to be used on each project.
The Housing Visions
Development Group, Inc. Board of Directors and the Housing Visions Consultants,
Inc. Board of Directors include business leaders with various backgrounds. The
staff of Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc. performs the consulting, development,
and property management functions for each of these companies.
Housing Visions Construction Co., Inc.
It became clear that Housing
Visions Unlimited, Inc. needed a General Contractor that could quote projects
well in advance of doing the work and that shared the same values. In order to
fill these needs, Housing Visions Construction Co., Inc. was formed in 2002 as a
not-for-profit affiliate of Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc. to provide
construction services in an effort to halt the physical and economic
deterioration of urban areas and increase the availability of quality housing to
low and moderate income residents.
The Housing Visions Construction Co.,
Inc. Board of Directors consists of business leaders throughout the community.
The Staff includes 5 administrative staff and construction crews for each
project. Click on Bid Opportunities to see
what projects Housing Visions Construction Co., Inc. is currently working on.
Housing Visions
Since the start of Housing Visions in February of 1990,
partnerships with other not-for-profit neighborhood, City and State
organizations have been built to aid in restoring neighborhoods that have been
neglected and have declined. As a result of a combined effort within the Housing
Visions’ family and with the collaboration from these agencies, affordable
quality housing is being made available for low- and moderate-income families,
opportunities are provided for a dignified, safe and healthy neighborhood, and
communities are being transformed. Throughout the years Housing Visions’
Corporate Purpose has remained the same and encompasses the Housing Visions
family.
Housing Visions uses its own Neighborhood
Revitalization Plan of purchasing groups of multifamily houses in close
proximity to each other, targeting neighborhoods that are beginning to exhibit
an increase in crime, physical deterioration, and a decline in overall community
well being, then systematically re-establishing neighborhoods block by block.
The physical restoration maintains the architect’s original design as much as
possible. Resident training is coupled with the development of resident
organizations to make a lasting change in the attitudes and community
responsibility of residents. Individuals are empowered to take control of their
communities to effect long lasting change and improve quality of
life.
Housing Visions purchases, develops and consults on projects,
substantially rehabilitates or newly constructs homes, and performs property
management functions. It specializes in Low Income Housing Tax Credits and has
successfully rehabilitated a number of buildings including some eligible to be
listed on the historic registry, and has received NYS Preservation awards.
Housing Visions serves low- to moderate-income households including special
populations such as the physically handicapped, victims of domestic violence,
and homeless veterans. Over 70% of its capital funding comes from private
sources. Its operating funding primarily is from fees received on the projects
developed.
The work of Housing Visions increases the supply of safe,
attractive, affordable housing in otherwise deteriorating neighborhoods. This
work also provides an economic stimulus to these communities. The increased
vitality of the neighborhood brings more businesses that are interested in
having a presence there. This in turn brings opportunities for employment for
the local residents and improves the financial standing of the community in a
number of ways. The construction process itself creates local jobs, encourages
local purchases, and the improvements inspire neighboring owners and businesses
to do the same.
Click on Housing to see where Housing Visions is “Making
the Vision a Reality” and on Opportunities to see how you can be a part of
this.
Visions For Change, Inc.
In 2009 Housing Visions implemented a plan to further
improve lasting change in the neighborhoods it serves, by helping residents improve the economic
stability of their families. Visions For Change, Inc. was formed as
a not-for-profit affiliate of Housing Visions, implemented to eliminate poverty
through education, resource building, and partnerships.
Visions For
Change utilizes the best practices of the national Circles® model developed
by the Move the Mountain Leadership Center to foster a diverse and sustainable
community where individuals can build genuine and lasting relationships across
socioeconomic class lines, and become empowered to solve problems that will
facilitate a permanent transition out of poverty.
Company Background & History
In the late 1980's, the Greater
East Genesee Street Neighborhood in Syracuse, New York began showing signs of
neglect and distress. Many of its inhabitants were living in substandard
conditions and many apartments had unsafe wiring, broken plumbing, leaky roofs,
and peeling, lead-based paint.
Along with the obvious physical
deterioration, the area was suffering from significant increases in crime.
People avoided the neighborhood by taking other streets. Property values were
down and bank foreclosures were up.
Unfortunately, this was not unlike
many other neighborhoods throughout the United States. But like many fortunate
neighborhoods, a group of people decided to do something about it.
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