August 20, 2010: Paul Tesoro, Director of Communications for Central Hudson, hosts a daily broadcast called Almanac aired on multiple Hudson Valley radio stations. We were pleased that he featured The Birches at Chambers and The Birches at Esopus in today’s broadcast. Paul highlighted the amenities that our communities offer and how they contribute to the quality of life for our residents. In addition, the broadcast covered the green aspects that ultimately contribute not only to health but also affordability. To listen to the broadcast, click here (it takes a moment for the intro to kick in).
The Birches at Esopus
Central Hudson’s Almanac Salutes Birchez’ Green Affordable Commitment
Saturday, August 21st, 2010A Chat with Marie Shultis, First President of The Residents’ Club at The Birches at Esopus
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
In July 2010, Rochester-native Marie Shultis finished her yearlong stint as the president of the Residents’ Club at The Birches at Esopus. Shultis worked as a team with vice president Ruth Rosu, and together the pair was able to get the first year of the building’s residents’ club off to a rousing start.
“Our goal was really to bring the residents together and to establish different programs and events that they could participate in,” says Shultis, “and we did do that over the course of a year.”
Having been founded in the summer of 2009, the club can now count over half of The Birches at Esopus’s population as members, having reached their fiftieth member in June 2010. Throughout the year, the club has hosted events to allow the community’s residents to get to know each other and participate in fun activities. The first such event was participating in the Town of Esopus Fall Festival.
“The whole town could have yard sales,” says Marie, “and so everyone here was interested in having a yard sale. Well, since it’s a secure building, it poses a problem for us to have a yard sale inside here. So in speaking with Steve and Judy Aaron about this one day when they were visiting, I voiced our desire to have a yard sale. And so, Judy says, ‘how about a tent?’ And so they very graciously put a huge tent out here in the parking area, and tables for those residents who wanted to sell their personal items.”
Marie says that the sale was a “huge success,” allowing residents to sell their items, as well as the sale of baked goods and items that were donated to the club for sale. In fact, Marie says that the baked goods table was an even hotter seller than the tables without food. “It was a winner—it was really fantastic,” she says.
The money raised went back into the club’s coffers, which, in addition to the $2 monthly dues paid by members, was able to fund other events and get-togethers for the club’s members. From pot lucks and Wintertime Comfort Food dinners, as well as their subsequent Leftover Lunches, Marie says that the club has tried to host at least one event a month.
One particularly memorable event for Marie concerned the local volunteer firefighters who make routine visits to The Birches at Esopus.
“The firemen are always visiting us, because, unfortunately, there are escapades like burnt toast and things like that occurring,” says Marie. “ Ruth and I felt it would be nice if we did something for the firemen, so we had a dinner especially for the firemen, and they could bring their wives – many of whom are members of the auxiliary – if they wished.
“They enjoyed themselves, and they said, ‘you know, no one ever does anything like this for us,’ and it made us feel good to know that we had done that for them. So we have a link there, as well as a link with the town with the yard sale.” Marie says she hopes that the club will keep hosting the dinner annually, though the decision won’t be up to her when she and Ruth pass the batons to the new officers.
Besides simply hosting these monthly events, the Residents’ Club is responsible for the twice-weekly Bingo games in the building’s community room, as well as the holiday-themed decorations that fill the community room each month, a result that came about with a combination of “Ruth’s creativity and the dollar store,” says Marie with a laugh.
And Marie is adamant about the fact that the club’s initiatives and strides weren’t her achievements alone—rather, she and Ruth Rosu accomplished it all together.
“I really want to emphasize that we were a team,” she says of her partnership with Ruth. “And it’s a large undertaking—one person can’t do it alone, can’t come up with all the ideas and whatnot. You need another individual who has ideas. I’m very lucky, because Ruth is very artistic, and she’s very creative. It was a team effort. I never knew Ruth before I moved here. We just kind of clicked. That happens sometimes.”
For profiles and stories about and by our residents, visit the Our Stories tab of each community.
Brian Rubin for Birchez Associates, birchezassociates@gmail.com
Low-income senior housing planned
Monday, July 26th, 2010HVBiz June 25, 2010 by Terra Thompsen
Affordable independent living for low-income seniors is the aim of a proposed $15.4 million development slated to be built on the property of the Elant-owned nursing facility in Beacon.
The project, called The Birches of Fishkill, would provide housing for seniors age 62 and older who are at 50 percent or less of median income. The facility would offer residents the prospect of independent living outside full-time nursing homes.
“It’s a real opportunity for a chance of community and a chance of a home within the communities these seniors have lived in their whole lives,” said Steve Aaron, managing member of Kingston-based Birchez Associates LLC.
The facility is to be built on the present Elant property at 22 Robert R. Kasin Way off Route 9D in Beacon. Elant at Fishkill partnered with Birchez Associates for the development of this facility and to provide health care in the communities they already serve.
The facility would provide 62 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors. The cost of buying into the community had not yet been determined.
The main building will consist of apartments, amenities and nursing offices. Two separate cottage-style buildings will provide for more apartments. All 72 apartments will be handicapped-accessible and meet the standards set forth by the American With Disabilities Act.
Amenities will include a theater, media room, community room, game room and a library.
Registered nurses and athletic trainers on the premises will provide care weekly with no additional charge to residents.
“We continue to push the envelope to provide amenities that make this home,” Aaron said.
The facility’s design is also intended to provide energy efficiency to reduce costs. A similar design at The Birches of Esopus in Ulster County was awarded a 2010 New York State Energy Research and Development Agency’s Award for Excellence.
“There are certainly not many models of affordable independent living in the country,” Aaron said.
Currently there is demand in the Fishkill community for 1,169 units of independent senior living apartments based on the waiting lists for similar facilities. The Birches at Fishkill would ease this demand, Aaron said.
The project recently was awarded $1.4 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of America and its member Rhinebeck Savings Bank.
The grant will help fund the construction, which is expected to begin in the fall pending final approvals.
Seniors Finalists – The Birches at Esopus
Thursday, July 15th, 2010SPECIAL FOCUS
Readers’ Choice Finalists
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE • July/August 2010
The Birches at Esopus is one of four national finalists for Senior housing in the magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice competition. The excerpt for The Birches at Esopus follows.
ULSTER PARK, N.Y.— The Birches at Esopus is the first affordable housing community in the town of Esopus, an area encompassing 40 square miles with about 9,500 residents.
Overlooking the Hudson River, the new development provides 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments for seniors earning no more than 50 percent and 60 percent of the area median income.
Birchez Associates, LLC, an experienced Hudson Valley affordable housing developer, built an amenity-rich development where residents can age in place, says Steven Aaron, managing member.
Eight units are handicapped accessible, and all units are handicapped ready with roll-in showers installed. All units have emergency pull cords so seniors can call for help.
The development encourages an active lifestyle, with ample outdoor and community space. An exercise studio is staffed with a fitness coach. Understanding that isolation is a common issue for seniors, Birchez Associates also funds a senior advocate to lend a sympathetic ear and guide residents on services.
To assist in the residents’ heath-care needs, the firm has teamed with nonprofit Elant, Inc., on the “Nurse Is In” program, which brings a nurse to the property for regular office hours.
The development is also notable for its green design. It has been recognized by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for achieving more than 30 percent savings over the state energy codes. Solar panels provide about 70 percent of the domestic hot water for the building and 40 percent of the heat.
The $18 million development was funded largely by bonds from the New York State Housing Finance Agency, enhanced by the State of New York Mortgage Agency and low-income housing tax credits syndicated by First Sterling.
Additional financing partners include the New York State Housing Trust Fund through the Division of Housing and Community Renewal and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. The town of Esopus and Birchez also contributed to the deal. —Donna Kimura for Affordable Housing Finance; Photo: John Halpern
Developer: Birchez Associates, LLC
Architect: Kurzon Architects
Major Funders: New York State Housing Finance Agency; First Sterling; New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal; State of New York Mortgage Agency; Federal Home Loan Bank of New York; the Town of Esopus
NYSERDA Recognizes Birchez Associates Outstanding Sustainability Efforts
Friday, July 9th, 2010Birchez Associates is constantly pushing itself to stay on the forefront of sustainable building practices. But what does that mean?
Simply put, sustainability is all about keeping energy consumption in line with energy resources. And thanks to solar thermal panels at two Birches communities — Esopus and soon-to-be-installed at Chambers — the company has been recognized for their efforts. (Click here for video on sustainability.)
On July 8, at the official dedication ceremony of The Birches at Chambers, Birchez Associates was presented with a plaque from Michael Colgrove, the Director of Energy Programs with the New York State Energy & Development Agency, or NYSERDA. The building in the Town of Ulster is expected to use over 40 percent less energy than a building constructed under normal practices. This number is an improvement over the energy savings found at The Birches at Esopus, which uses 30 percent less energy than a typically constructed project, a no less impressive feat.
“Not only does that mean lower energy bills for all the tenants who live here, but also a much more comfortable environment to live in as well,” said Colgrove as he handed the plaque over to Steve Aaron, the founder and managing member of Birchez Associates.
The panels at The Birches at Esopus provide 30 percent of the building’s heat, and a whopping 70 percent of the energy for the building’s domestic hot water. And it’s expected that The Birches at Chambers will go beyond the already high bar set by Esopus.
“It’s NYSERDA’s mission to provide incentives to folks like Steven who have the vision and the dedication to the environment to make these steps, to go out of the box and do things that other people are not doing,” said Colgrove, who declared that The Birches at Chambers would join its predecessor at Esopus as a New York Energy $mart building. “Because of their effort they’ve earned somewhere around a $200,000 grant from NYSERDA for this effort.”
Birchez opens latest affordable senior housing community
Thursday, July 8th, 2010Mid-Hudson News Network, Thursday, July 8, 2010
KINGSTON – It was very hot outdoors, but that didn’t deter the excitement Thursday during an open house for The Birches at Chambers, affordable senior housing complex.
Birchez Associates opened the newest addition to the complex, 66 apartments for those 62 and older earning 60 percent of the area’s median income, which $29,480 for a single person.
“We have rents that are down to $300 and $400 because we performing a public service,” said Steve Aaron, founder and managing partner of Birchez Associates.
The Birches at Chambers is located a few blocks off Albany Avenue in the Town of Ulster, and the Birches at Esopus opened about a year ago. The Birches of Saugerties was completed in 2006.
“This is an amazing facility that’s unparalleled in affordable senior housing. And without a doubt it needs to be replicated throughout the rest of the county,” said Hector Rodriguez, Ulster County legislator, deputy chairman of the economic development committee, which also includes housing.
Photo credit: Mid-Hudson News Network
Despite the sour economy, America’s baby boomers are rapidly aging into retirement, and Rodriguez said there must be a constant focus to ensure more facilities like this one are available.
Now is the time when we need the eye toward the future,” he said.
Clara McGill has live here for two months after moving from Wappingers Falls.
“It something I never expected,” she said. “For renting, I never dreamed of finding a place like this. I’ve met lots of friends. I think it’s going to be great.”
Community Empowerment Conference
Friday, July 2nd, 2010From The Senior Gazette, NicheNewsNY by Bette Ann Moskowitz
Admin note: Representatives from Birchez Associates attended this session. At The Birches communities we also have a philosophy of ”aging in place” — for seniors who have made our communities their home!
“If people come together, there is no limit what can be done,” said Michael Burgess, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging, and keynote speaker at the recent conference entitled Community Empowerment for Livable Communities, hosted by the Partnership for Healthy Aging, a coalition of Ulster County agencies.
Held on June 15 at Ulster County Community College in Stone Ridge, this was third in a series of informative forums presented by the Partnership. Its Director Burgess talked about “aging in place” – the phrase used to describe the desire/intention/practice of letting older people remain in their own homes even as they are challenged by things they can no longer do, by providing services and support within the community. He talked about Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) in the State, giving an historical context to NORCs and other “aging in place” models, from the early ones, mostly in New York City, in single apartment buildings, to the “neighborhood NORCs” which spread out a bit, and made way for the rural models, which are being started or studied by some upstate communities, including Poughkeepsie and Woodstock.
Burgess talked about the importance of coalitions of all sorts of people, from health care workers to faith-based organizations, to housing specialists and community activists in order to “mobilize community groups” and push forward with solutions for older people that give them choices, preserve their dignity and keep them safe.
Toby Krawitz, a planning consultant for the recent aging in place start-up called Staying In Place, in Woodstock, talked about her outreach into the northern Ulster communities targeted for Staying In Place, about the high level of interest (20% or more responding to her questionnaire, a great return) and some of the concerns of the respondents. At the top of many lists was transportation, followed by worries about eventually sliding into poverty by way of taxes and the gradual devaluation of income not keeping up with rising costs of living, loss of ability to do the activities of daily living, of isolation and fear of living alone, as well as concern that the county would not have enough affordable rentals when people were ready to transition to smaller, less expensive, more manageable living situations. She posed the question of whether, in this economy, it was still feasible to support such initiatives as aging in place, and concluding it was, even more so.
Amy Godes, President of Staying In Place, talked more specifi cally about what the organization, at present, offered (transportation, assistance with tasks and referral and discounts to reliable services, as well as social support), as they build their network of members and volunteers. Godes said they are linked to the American Association of University Women and the Woodstock Time Bank, which allows members to exchange skills on a barter system.
Sally Taylor, board member of Hudson Valley Home Matters, in Poughkeepsie, another aging in place organization, described the grassroots genesis of her organization, and enlivened the discussion with anecdotes meant to personalize and particularize how successful and important aging in place is, which they did. She also talked about the enormous task of “vetting” service providers, through interview, feedback, background checks, as well as careful investigation of volunteer drivers as well – their driving records, their insurance — and of the agencies who supplied home health aides to their members. She emphasized, as Godes had, the importance of the social component, and said that volunteers to drive people were not limited to rides to doctors, but could take folks out to shop, to concerts, and so on.
Doris Rubinsky of the Orange County Jewish Family Services “Town of Newburgh Senior Project” described the project that started as a simple friendly visitor program in the Monroe area of Orange County, which turned out to provide so much more – much needed monitoring of the older people they serve, transportation, and fulfilling small needs that might slip through the cracks, but without which life could be a challenge to an older person. She gave the example of an older woman who, no longer able to get on a stepstool and change her lightbulbs, sat goals were: to increase awareness of what Ulster and other communities have done and are doing to support independent living for seniors, to suggest possible avenues of exploration for municipal planners, town governments and city agencies (as well as the general public), and to encourage focusing attention on local “aging in place” initiatives.
Present were members of the sponsoring agencies, community activists and members of the public.
Hudson Valley Senior Housing Community Named National Finalist
Monday, June 14th, 2010| HOUSING FINANCE NEWS |
April 9, 2010 The Birches at Esopus named National Finalist for Readers’ Choice Awards
| AHF Announces Sixth Annual Readers’ Choice Finalists
Affordable Housing Finance is pleased to announce the finalists of its sixth annual Readers’ Choice Awards for the nation’s best developments of 2009-2010. Finalists were announced in nine categories; readers will vote on the finalists as they are presented in the July issue of Affordable Housing Finance magazine. In the category of senior housing, the following four projects were selected for national voting: • Alta Torre in Palo Alto, Calif.; developed by BRIDGE Housing • The Birches at Esopus in Ulster Park, N.Y.; developed by Birchez Associates, LLC • Senior City Apartments in Federal Way, Wash.; developed by Korean Women’s Association • The Terraces on Tulane in New Orleans; developed by Volunteers of America |
| HousingFinance.com home |
The Birches at Esopus wins State Recognition
Friday, June 4th, 2010
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The New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) awarded The Birches at Esopus a 2010 NYSAFAH Award for Excellence Winner at their annual conference on April 29.
In supporting the state-wide recognition by NYSAFAH, Congressman Maurice Hinchey commended Steven Aaron and Birchez Associates in addressing the need for affordable housing projects in rural communities.
Cited in the award application is the New York State Energy Research & Development Agency’s (NYSERDA) recognition of The Birches at Esopus as a New York Energy $mart Building. The projected utility costs are over 30% lower than other new apartment complexes built to current energy code in the State. The Birches at Esopus community is the first affordable housing development in the town of Esopus, a community which covers 40 square miles. The Birches at Esopus serves area seniors, aged 55 and over, who are at 60% of median income or less. The community offers on-premises staff including the role of the Senior Advocate, held by Alice Tipp who had served for thirty years as a county legislator. Strategic partnerships have been formed with both Elant, Inc., headquartered in Goshen, N.Y., and Signature Fitness of Kingston, N.Y. Signature Fitness owner John Perry designed the fitness studio to meet senior exercise needs and has provided a fitness trainer – at no cost to residents.
Amenities include a media room, fully equipped computer lab and fitness studio, a library/game room, crafts room, and a spacious community room with a full kitchen for residents’ parties and events. To further complement an active life style for its senior residents, the grounds offer a bocce court, grill area, patio spaces, gazebos and paths. The Birches at Esopus offers 80 rental residences for seniors.
Birchez Associates LLC has developed and continues to manage four affordable housing communities for seniors and one community for work force housing in Ulster County, N.Y. More information on The Birches at Esopus and other Birchez Associates’ communities is available at www.Birchez.com.
Senior homes builder accepts project award
Friday, May 28th, 2010
May 28, 2010 “Business Headlines”: Birchez Associates received the Project of the Year award in the “upstate” category at the New York State Affordable Housing Conference and New York State Housing Finance Agency’s 50th Anniversary Luncheon in New York City.
The award recognized the Kingston-based firm’s The Birches at Esopus, an 80-unit affordable senior housing community in Ulster Park. Steven Aaron is founder and managing member of Birchez Associates.
For information, visit www.Birchez.com.