Posts Tagged ‘Hinchey’

Maurice Hinchey salutes Hudson Valley LEED Platinum award winner

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

Kingston, NY, 7-11-2011  At a panel on “Green Housing & The Baby Boomers,” U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY 22nd District) spoke of the significance of healthy green buildings, especially so when it is provided at the affordable senior housing level. At the presentation held at The Birches at Chambers, Hinchey spoke with pride that his district now has a LEED Platinum award winner in the multifamily category, the only one in the Hudson Valley.

Hinchey is shown here with Steven L. Aaron, the Founder and Managing Member of Birchez Associates LLC, the developer and management company for The Birches at Chambers. Hinchey addressed an audience of elected officials, business and civic leaders during the presentation at Birchez’ latest senior community in the town of Ulster.

The event, “Green Housing & The Baby Boomers” covered issues of health and dignity for seniors, especially with the start of the  impact of the burgeoning Baby Boomer wave upon the country and the county. Hinchey honed in on how important LEED Platinum is to The Birches at Chambers, a 66-unit community adjacent to Chambers Court, the 72-unit original Birchez’ senior housing community completed just seven years ago.

The Birches at Chambers is now in an elite international group that has achieved LEED Platinum, developed by the US Green Building Council. The largest East Coast affordable low-rise multi-family housing project, this is the third largest in the US or Canada to earn this certification. Additionally, The Birches at Chambers is:

  • One of only five multi-family Platinum projects in the state of NY.
  • Third largest affordable project in the state of NY.
  • Ninth largest low or mid rise multi-family (including custom and market rate) in the US and Canada.
  • Only multifamily project in the Hudson Valley to achieve LEED Platinum.

In addition to using local workers on the construction, Aaron pointed out the local sourcing of the solar panels which both helps the local economy and decreases the use of fossil fuels in transporting materials.

Other panelists were Greg Watson, Assistant Commissioner for Regional Affairs, NYS Homes and Community Renewal (NYS HCR), William C.  ”Willie” Janeway, Region III Director, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Michael Hein, Ulster County Executive Officer, LaMar Hasbrouck, MD, MPH, Director of Public and Mental Health for Ulster County, Joseph Malcarne, LEED AP, member of the US Green Building Council and President of Malcarne Contracting, and the host of the event, Steven L. Aaron, Founder and Managing Member of Birchez Associates.

Following the panelists remarks and the presentation of the LEED Platinum award to Steve Aaron and his wife Judy who contributed to design work (both interior and exterior), attendees were treated to tours of the building including mechanical rooms to see how the solar thermal  and photovoltaic panels, high efficiency condensing boilers and state of the art circulating pumps all came together to help towards the LEED Platinum designation.

The tours of the building included the fitness studio with a specially trained senior fitness instructor, crafts room, library/game room, computer lab, and much appreciated on a hot day, the state of the art theater which cooled visitors after spending time in the warmth of the mechanical room. To the left is a partial view of the array of solar thermal and photovoltaic panels on the roof of the main 62-unit building which received the award. (LEED Gold was attained for the cottage units and caretaker’s home.)

Hinchey Hosts Medicare Educational Forum

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Kingston, October 18, 2010: Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY 22nd) lead a panel of experts to discuss Social Security, Medicare, the new Health Care Plan and proposed legislation before an audience of seniors at The Birches at Chambers. The site, an affordable senior housing community completed this year by Birchez Associates, drew readily from its residents and those of the adjoining Chambers Court and Seven Greens complexes. Some residents from other Birchez communities also came for the forum.

The Congressman addressed concerns over seniors affected by the donut – having to pay full price for medications before supplemental coverage kicked in. He said close to 8,000 of his constituents fell into this category. Hinchey continues to work on legislations that he has proposed which he hopes to see passed after election to further help seniors both those trapped in the donut and on issues related to COLA (cost of living adjustment) — or lack thereof — as seniors see a second year without any increase.  For a summary of Hinchey’s support in standing up for Seniors, click here.

Hinchey, who has served in the Congress since 1993, brings a historical perspective to many of the issues discussed. He spoke of proposals in the past to privatize Social Security. “Had we done that, can you imagine what would have happened to Social Security during the stock market of recent years?”

Speakers brought the message home to seniors. Kathy Dunphy, director from National Government Services (the contractor that handles all Medicare issues) spoke about the new benefits that Medicare enrollees would gain from the new health care bill

Dunphy also warned that healthy, working seniors often wait too long to enroll in Medicare. Then when they need it they may have to wait months without coverage. Ways of simplifying enrollment through internet signup were stressed, although with the local Social Security office nearby (809 Grant Avenue, Lake Katrine, NY 12449), visiting the office is also an option. Especially after hearing from Ed Sarkies, a Field Representative from SSA in Lake Katrine. Sarkies has been with SSA since 1966 when Medicare started.

Sarkies provided practical information for the assembled seniors: when to sign up for Medicare, the Medicare Prescription Drug plan and the Extra Help feature for lower income people.

Ronnie Hauser from National Government Services and MaryJo DeForest of the Ulster County Office for the Aging were also on hand to help seniors with specific questions after the forum. Several attendees kept the forum participants “after school” for one-on-one sessions to answer individual questions.

For video coverage of the forum from YNN.com, click here

In the picture to the left, Congressman Hinchey listens to concerns over Veteran Benefits and how senior Vets are affected as expressed by Joe Vanacore, a World War II vet.

Pictured above right, Congressman Hinchey at the podium with a partial shot of the Community Room at The Birches at Chambers.

Alfred A. DelliBovi Honored on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Hinchey honors FHLBNY for its Affordable Housing Program

NEW YORK, July 15 Forbes.com  – Since 1990, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York has provided more than $220 million in grants to more than 750 affordable housing initiatives across New York State through its Affordable Housing Program (“AHP”).  These projects have helped create, rehabilitate or preserve more than 30,000 affordable homes for low-income families, seniors and the workforce across the Empire State, and have generated more than $3.5 billion in total development costs for local economies.  On July 8, at the dedication ceremony of The Birches at Chambers, a state-of-the art, affordable senior living community in Ulster, New York, which was partially funded by the AHP, Federal Home Loan Bank of New York President and CEO Alfred A. DelliBovi was honored by Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY-22) for the Bank’s contributions to affordable housing.

“Under the guidance of president and CEO Alfred A. DelliBovi since 1992, the Federal Home Loan Bank ofNew York has helped community lenders across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands advance housing and community growth,” Congressman Hinchey said in a statement for theCongressional Record.

In his comments at the event, Mr. DelliBovi thanked Congressman Hinchey for his continued support of affordable housing initiatives across New York’s 22nd District.  The AHP has been especially active in the 22nd District, supporting 51 projects with grants of more than $18 million, helping to create nearly 2,300 affordable homes.

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York

The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York is a Congressionally chartered, wholesale Bank.  It is part of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, a national wholesale banking network of 12 regional, stockholder-owned banks.  The FHLB of New York currently serves over 330 financial institutions in New Jersey, New York,Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The mission of the Federal Home Loan Banks is to support the efforts of local members to help provide financing for America’s homebuyers.

CONTACT:  Eric Amig
(212) 441-6807
Brian Finnegan
(212) 441-6877

SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of New York

Community Dedication Ceremony at The Birches at Chambers, Town of Ulster

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

On Thursday, July 8th, 2010, Senator Bonacic attended and spoke at The Birches at Chambers Community Dedication Ceremony.  The Birches at Chambers is a state-of-the-art, affordable senior living community located in the Town of Ulster.

L-R: Joel Brink, Town of Ulster Councilman, Hon. Alfred A. DelliBovi, Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Senator John J. Bonacic, Steven L. Aaron, Michael Colgrove from NYSERDA, Josh Aaron, Judy Aaron, Joseph Malcarne and Bryan Smith from Rhinebeck Savings Bank.

Source: http://www.nysenate.gov/district/42 State Senator John J. Bonacic’s website; picture under photo and videos tab

$1.4 Million Grant towards The Birches at Fishkill Announced

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

June 19, 2010 – The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”), along with Congressman Maurice Hinchey (NY-22) and Congressman John Hall (NY-19), have announced that Elant, Inc. has been awarded a $1,440,000 Affordable Housing Program (“AHP”) grant from the FHLBNY and its member, Rhinebeck Savings Bank. The grant will help fund construction of The Birches at Fishkill, a planned 72-unit housing community for low-income seniors, to be developed by Birchez Associates, LLC.

“This Affordable Housing Program grant will help bring much-needed senior housing to our region,” said Congressman Hinchey. “The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, Elant and Birchez Associates have long been supporters of affordable housing across the Hudson Valley; this grant continues their commitment to the community.”

“Improving services for our seniors continues to be one of my top priorities,” said Congressman Hall. “With assistance from this Federal Home Loan Bank of New York grant, the Birches at Fishkill will not only create more than 70 affordable homes for Fishkill’s seniors, but will also provide residents with the support and care they deserve.”

“The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York is proud to partner with our member, Rhinebeck Savings Bank, to help make this affordable housing a reality for the seniors in Fishkill,” said Alfred A. DelliBovi, president and CEO of the FHLBNY. “We are grateful to Congressmen Hinchey and Hall for their leadership and support in Congress, which allows us to offer this program to the housing groups that are strengthening communities across the region.”

The Birches of Fishkill complex will consist of 62 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments. The units will be targeted to low-income senior citizens and will provide a continuum of care.  Elant, Inc., a leading Hudson Valley not-for-profit organization providing healthcare and housing programs, will collaborate to provide rehabilitation services, adult foster family care, and long-term home health care to the residents. Birchez Associates, an award-winning developer and manager of affordable senior housing in the Hudson Valley, is again partnering with Elant, Inc., to develop The Birches at Fishkill.

“This is a significant piece of the financing for this much needed development,” said Steve Aaron, Managing Member of Birchez Associates LLC, the developer of the planned project. “We are particularly encouraged in this economic climate that both Congressman Hinchey and Congressman Hall continue to champion the need for affordable housing. And we appreciate the continued financial support of Alfred DelliBovi and his team at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York,” said Aaron. This will be the sixth time the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York has participated in the financing of a Birchez Associates’ community in the Hudson Valley (www.Birchez.com).

The grant is part of a total of $29.7 million in AHP subsidies that the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York will award in conjunction with the approval of the first competitive application round of 2010.  In total, these grants will help to finance the creation of 54 housing projects that will generate 2,917 units of affordable housing in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Last year, the Federal Home Loan Bank System celebrated the 20th Anniversary of its Affordable Housing Program. Earlier this month, the program was recognized by the National Housing Conference as its “Housing Person of the Year”. The Federal Home Loan Banks have distributed nearly $4 billion in AHP funds since 1990.

About Birchez Associates LLC

Birchez Associates LLC, a Hudson Valley real estate development and management company, is widely recognized for providing senior citizens with homes they can afford in supportive communities where they can age in place. Birchez fosters strategic partnerships with leaders in the service provider industry such as Elant, Inc. The firm recently completed The Birches at Chambers in the town of Ulster with 66 units, of which 8 are handicapped accessible and the balance are all handicapped ready. The Birches at Esopus, completed last year with 80 units, has been voted Project of the Year – Upstate by the New York Association for Affordable Housing. At the ribbon cutting, the project was recognized by New York State Energy Research & Development Agency as an Energy $mart Building, the first new construction low-rise multifamily to receive the designation. The community is currently one of four national finalists in the Affordable Housing Finance magazine’s Readers Choice Awards. Other Birchez Associates communities include The Birches at Saugerties and Chambers Court, both affordable senior housing communities, and Birchwood Village designed for work-force housing. www.Birchez.com

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Birchez Associates LLC

K.J. McIntyre, Director of Marketing, 845-532-7528

KJMcIntyre@Birchez.com

The Birches at Esopus Wins State Recognition

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

April 14, 2010 Ulster Park, N.Y.:  The New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) today announced The Birches at Esopus is a 2010 NYSAFAH Award for Excellence Winner. The Birches at Esopus is the third affordable senior community developed by Kingston, N.Y., based Birchez Associates.

“This award means so much to us because it comes from our peers – those involved in funding, designing and building affordable housing in the state,” said Steven L. Aaron, Birchez Associates’ Founder and Managing Member. The Birches at Esopus will receive the award at the annual NYSAFAH conference to be held in New York City on Thursday, April 29th, at the New York Marriott Marquis.

In supporting this state-wide recognition by NYSAFAH, Congressman Maurice Hinchey said: “Too often I have seen the urgent need for affordable housing projects in rural communities overlooked in the public dialogue. Steven Aaron and Birchez Associates have taken commendable steps to address this vital need.”

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. According to Francis J. Murray, Jr., NYSERDA’s President and CEO: “The Birches at Esopus is a good example of the steps we need to take to achieve 15×15 in New York State, that is a reduction of 15% in our electrical consumption by 2015.”

The Birches at Esopus community is the first affordable housing development in the town of Esopus, a community which covers 40 square miles. John K. Coutant, Supervisor of the town of Esopus, said, “This is extremely important to the lifetime residents of our great community. We no longer have to watch our residents move to some distant, unfamiliar area because of the economics that affect all of us as we go through the aging process.”

The Birches at Esopus serves area seniors, aged 55 and over who are at 60% of median income or less. This under-served population is met with market-rate or better amenities and services at The Birches at Esopus. 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., based in Goshen, N.Y., and Signature Fitness of Kingston, N.Y.

Elant has created the “Nurse Is In” program which provides an RN with set office hours each week at The Birches at Esopus – and at no cost to residents. The nurse can check blood pressure, offer health and wellness counseling and training, and serve as a resource. In addition, Elant offers a shared aid model to bring home care to residents at lower costs. Meanwhile, Signature Fitness owner John Perry designed the fitness studio to meet senior exercise needs and has provided a fitness trainer – again at no cost to residents.

Amenities include a media room, fully equipped computer lab and fitness studio – complete with trainer at no cost to residents, 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. Sited to maximize Hudson River views, The Birches at Esopus offers seniors 80 rental residences.

Birchez Associates LLC, founded in 2002, has developed and continues to manage four affordable housing communities for seniors and one community for work force housing in Ulster County, NY. More information on the Birches at Esopus and other Birchez Associates’ communities is available at www.Birchez.com.

For Immediate Release

Contact: K.J. McIntyre, Director of Marketing, Birchez Associates LLC

845-532-7528 (cell)     kjmcintyre@birchez.com