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
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.