Company
Background
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Background & History
By 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. 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.
By 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. 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.
Housing
Visions Unlimited, Inc.
A partnership of dedicated citizens focused on making a positive change in the Syracuse Greater East Genesee Street Neighborhood. Starting as a taskforce of the University United Methodist Church in 1989, this group set out to revitalize a 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 the Greater East Genesee Street neighborhood of Syracuse 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 the knowledge of the community and a commitment to its long term health. There are 16 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).
A partnership of dedicated citizens focused on making a positive change in the Syracuse Greater East Genesee Street Neighborhood. Starting as a taskforce of the University United Methodist Church in 1989, this group set out to revitalize a 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 the Greater East Genesee Street neighborhood of Syracuse 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 the knowledge of the community and a commitment to its long term health. There are 16 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).
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. is used to perform the consulting, development, and property management functions of each of these companies.
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. is used to perform the consulting, development, and property management functions of 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 two construction crews. Click on Revitalizing Communities to see what projects Housing Visions Construction Co., Inc. is currently working on.
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 two construction crews. Click on Revitalizing Communities 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 does increase 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.
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 does increase 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.
