Posts Tagged ‘Steven L. Aaron’

Case Study in Excellence: The Birches at Esopus

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

New York, NY: The New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) honored Birchez Associates’ affordable senior community, The Birches at Esopus, as Case Study in Excellence at a reception and presentation held in New York City at the REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) headquarters.

Already recognized by NYSAFAH as Project of the Year — Upstate for 2010, The Birches at Esopus served as a case study in successful public and private partnership, innovative financing, and green energy efficiencies. At its ribbon cutting, the community was also acknowledged as an Energy $mart Building by NYSERDA, in part because 70% of domestic hot water and 30% of the heat comes from solar thermal panels. Further, The Birches at Esopus was one of four national finalists for Senior Project of the Year in Affordable Housing Magazine.

The panel (shown to the right) was introduced by Jay Seiden, Seiden & Schein, PC, and comprised Birchez Associates Founder & Managing Member, Steven L. Aaron, The Honorable John Coutant, Supervisor of the Town of Esopus, John Kelly, Esq. of Nixon Peabody, Marian Zucker of New York State Homes & Community Renewal, Peter King representing the Federal Home Loan Bank – NY, and Rita Wyatt Esq., principal of Wyatt & Co. Judy Wells Aaron and K.J. McIntyre both of Birchez Associates also participated in the presentation. Available for the Q&A were the Town of Esopus clerk, Diane L. McCord, town council member Gloria VanVliet and chair of the planning board Roxanne Pecora (shown in the lower left photo from right to left).

Key topics introduced both by panel participants and the audience included:

Finding financing for affordable housing projects and how that has changed in today’s economic market

Creating market rate amenities to both attract residents and to fulfill aging in place goals

Structuring a public – private partnership and the political courage it takes to succeed in bringing quality affordable housing to a community

Changing environment in the now combined DHCR and nyhomes, now New York State Homes and Community Renewal

Attendees included developers, financiers, architects, attorneys and other members of NYSAFAH.

Challenges in the Affordable Housing Market

Monday, December 20th, 2010

Hudson Valley Business Journal, December 20, 2010:

The New York Hilton hosted the New York Housing Conference (NYHC) and the National Housing Conference 37^th annual awards luncheon and symposium “Solutions for a New Landscape.” The role of the NYHC is to advocate for affordable housing policy in Washington DC as well as in New York State. While much of the content and conversation was somber, given the current economic outlook and the result of the midterm elections for Congress, there were some bright spots brought into focus by some symposium speakers. Among these is the case for sustainability in both new building and rehab, and the breadth of the sustainability efforts.

Participants on the panel addressing “Sustainable Financing from Dollars to Development” spoke of the wide-ranging impact of sustainable practices in the affordable housing arena. A Seattle study, which Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., hopes to replicate in New York through a partnership with Mt. Sinai Hospital, demonstrated the impact of air quality improvements during rehab of workforce housing. Emergency room visits were cut to a third, with annual savings of nearly $1,500 in medical costs per family studied. While such savings do not line a developers pocket, they do make an impressive case for the impact of green practices in both rehab and new construction settings. Abby Jo Sigal, Vice President and Impact Market Leader (NYC) for Enterprise, suggests this is one way of getting Washington’s – and Albany’s – attention in funding projects.

Far less hopeful words, such as inertia and gridlock, were heard in the “Affordable Housing Post Midterm Elections” symposium. One area of concern is the lead time new leadership will require in bringing themselves up to speed on housing issues. A Senator’s staff was quoted as anticipating months that would be required to review existing programs before there’s any hope of consideration of new initiatives.

Meanwhile the aptly named “Government Funding Options in Tough Times” symposium addressed the new integrated funding process of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). This year under the leadership of Commissioner Brian Lawlor, the former Division of Housing and Community Renewal and NY Homes as well as other housing agencies have been combined into one agency to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs while reducing costs. Under this new umbrella the alphabet soup of programs administered include: SONYMA, HTFC, HFA, AHC, MIF, MBBA, TSFC and DHCR. The agency administers the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program for the state, itself the subject of another symposium.

At the awards banquet approximately 1,500 housing and financial leaders gathered to salute awardees in the affordable housing industry. Among the honorees was the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, saluted for its 20^th anniversary year of its Affordable Housing Program. The program has supported more than 1,200 projects with grants totaling more than $350 million, creating more than 50,000 units of affordable housing and generating nearly $6 billion in total development costs.

- - -

Pictured left to right following the awards ceremony: Robert Lehrman, Trustee of the National Housing Conference and Advisory Board Chairman of Lodestone Banking Consultancy Inc., Luncheon Chairman Alfred A. Dellibovi, President and CEO of The Federal Home Loan Bank, Steven L. Aaron, Founder and Managing Member Birchez Associates LLC and Pathfinder Sponsor of the event, Daron Tubian, New York Housing Committee member representing Bank America Merrill Lynch, and Judith Calogero, CEO, New York Housing Conference.

County Executive Mike Hein Meets with Senior Residents

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Town of Ulster, 8/30/2010: Mike Hein joined the Senior Residents of The Birches at Chambers in their Community Room for a lively and informative discussion on senior resources and programs that are available through Ulster County. “Too often these resources are untapped, and the people who need them the most don’t know how to tap into services,” said Hein. (Alice is shown to the right of Mike Hein in the lead photo.)

Organizer of today’s event is Alice Tipp, the Senior Advocate for Birchez Associates, who services their four affordable senior communities in Ulster County. Alice works to coordinate services with the over 325 seniors who live at The Birches at Chambers, The Birches at Esopus, The Birches at Saugerties, and Chambers Court. Alice Tipp served as a county legislator for thirty years and is not shy in getting the right resources to “her” residents. “I am delighted that the County Executive took the time to be with us today. His enthusiasm is contagious and I know we all learned a great deal today,” said Ms. Tipp. Also welcoming Mike Hein were Steve and Judy Aaron the principals of Birchez Associates who built and manage The Birches at Chambers.

The Q&A portion of the program hit some topics outside the scope of strictly senior resources. Mike Hein in response to questions about taxes spoke of the need to consolidate services that are now duplicated between towns and the county. Following the formal presentation, the County Executive had the opportunity to speak briefly with many residents. Included was Joe Vanacore, a World War II Vet, who is concerned about the level of veterans’ benefits especially as he is dependent on a wheelchair these days. (Joe was recently featured in the book The Liberators: America’s Witnesses to the Holocaust by Michael Hirsh for his work with General Patton’s Tank Corps in liberating death camps in Germany.)

Harold Schumann, another resident, spent eleven years bouncing from hospitals to nursing homes before finding the appropriate ADA compliant, fully handicapped accessible home at The Birches at Chambers. He spoke to the County Executive about how happy he is now that he’s settled in his own apartment.

The Birchez Associates website, www.Birchez.com, has links on their communities pages to the resources Mike Hein spoke of in the Ulster County Care program, in addition to a variety of senior related, local recreational, historic sites, and more. To visit one of the links pages, click here.

Editor’s Note: Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive, was one of the presenters at the dedication of The Birches at Chambers on July 8th. For a video of his remarks, click here.

Central Hudson’s Almanac Salutes Birchez’ Green Affordable Commitment

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

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 next phase for Birchez Associates

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Aaron’s Birchez Associates opens fifth affordable housing facility in Ulster

Kingston Times, July 15, 2010 By Carrie Jones Ross Pictured Below Right: Library/Game Room at The Birches at Chambers

The enigma stealing sleep from the burgeoning legion of baby boomers – “Where can I afford to live when I retire? Will it be safe? Will it be clean? Will I be lonely?” – just got a little easier to figure out.

Dignitaries from the county and state joined other people of influence and three full tents of perspiring seniors during last Thursday’s oppressive heat wave to cut the ribbon commemorating some 75 seniors (62 and older) moving into the fully sustainable and LEED-certified 66 newly-constructed, 600+ square-foot apartments at Birches at Chambers on Maple Lane in the Town of Ulster. Chambers is fifth in a line of desperately-needed affordable housing projects in Ulster County built by developer Steve Aaron; his previous projects include Chambers Court, Birches at Esopus, Birches at Saugerties and Birchwood Village. The $16 million complex will be the first platinum-rated LEED-certified project of its kind in Ulster County.

Imagine paying a fixed monthly rent between $596 and $721 for a one-bedroom apartment. What would you get? Well-lit, freshly-carpeted halls with security cameras? Laundry rooms furnished with handicapped-accessible, brand-new machines for the long-gone bargain price of $1 a wash on every floor? A secure computer room with four flat-screen panel monitors? A free gym filled with new machines and classes just an elevator ride away? A beautifully furnished library with games and a community room with a kitchen and French doors leading to a patio? Media room with kitchenette? Would you expect beautifully kept grounds with a full-time groundskeeper and state-of-the-art security? In all likelihood, no, but Aaron’s new project promises all those amenities.

The community was designed for those who earn less than 60 percent of the area median income (currently $29,480 for a single person). The shift to friendlier colloquialisms reflects our slowly evolving views on affordable housing. Aaron emphatically concurred with the opening ceremonies speech given by County Executive Mike Hein when he stated, “It’s not about bricks and mortar, it’s about people – dignified housing for people.”

Aaron explained that his company has been dedicated to answering seniors’ and working families’ mounting housing crisis and has “gotten a little smarter” with each project. “We didn’t start off wondering what to do to be LEED-compliant,” Aaron explained. “But we found that we were already doing all that anyway.”

Birches at Esopus and Saugerties got the ball rolling forward with Energy Star appliances and energy-efficient radiant floor heat. Aaron took the Birches at Chambers project all the way, by including even more things like 97 percent-efficient Swiss-made boilers to accommodate the smart-design European heating system and solar hot water heaters. There are also energy recovery units recycling air through HEPA filters also pouring into a series of cooling condensers for air conditioning, eliminating the potentially harmful bacteria that collect in vents and ducts and saving big money for residents on extra-tight incomes.

Birchez is also referred to as “phase two”, conjoining the 2005-built Chambers Court community, oriented for 55 and older active lifestyle seniors. Aaron broke ground for Birches at Chambers in February 2009 to build the facility for residents with mobility issues. A community dining hall is in the works, at which point Birches at Chambers may likely go in the direction of assisted living, he said. Each apartment does have a kitchen (equipped with Energy Star appliances), however, those residents who do not cook rely upon the Meals on Wheels program.

Elant Home Health Care has an office in Birches and holds twice-weekly wellness clinics. ”We meet with the families, and if they opt for services we link with their primary practioner and devise care plans,” Elant health coordinator Kelly Ketcham explained. The goal, Ketcham stressed, is, “to keep people in their home setting, prevent hospitalizations and nursing home placements.” She added, “I do this for my head and heart, because that’s what I would want done for me.”

Aaron, who sits in good company on the executive committee of the Ulster County Housing Consortium, has his eyes on the horizon line of several locations including Fishkill, New Paltz and Ellenville. Aaron recently also submitted a building proposal in the Town of Rosendale in response to their request for affordable senior housing.

A myriad of agencies came together to make the building possible, including Enterprise Community Investments who notably found investors to actually finance portions of the project during this tight-fisted economy. One such financier was the “Oracle of Omaha” – Warren Buffett, who according to Aaron, has been financing affordable housing for years.

It did not come together without some issues, though. Aaron, who supported and employed former Town of Ulster supervisor Nick Woerner, got into a dispute earlier this year over alleged safety issues at Chambers Phase II with the town board led by the man who beat Woerner, Supervisor James Quigley. The spat held up the project’s temporary certificate of occupancy, which held up some of the first residents’ moving-in dates. Charges and counter-charges flew between Aaron and Quigley, but the dispute was resolved on March 31, allowing residents to claim their apartments.

They love it here

A group of residents rested in the bright, crisp entrance room from the day’s oppressive heat during the ribbon-cutting and subsequent luncheon, talking excitedly in a group about their appreciation of the new facility. Resident Clara McGill said that she always enjoyed visiting Kingston as a place to shop and dine, but never before considered living there until Birches at Chambers was built. “I have rented most of my life, and I have never seen anything like this place. It’s incredible here. Sometimes I even feel guilty for having this place,” McGill said. Lifelong Kingston resident “Mary” agreed. “We have fallen into a gold mine here. It was a little rough in the beginning, but I don’t think we could ask for a better place to live. The amenities are incredible.”

The residents commented on how often they see Aaron and his wife Judy, and how easily they can communicate with the couple. They love the decor (for which Judy is responsible), the fitness studio, their apartments (“It’s beautiful!” they crooned), and asked the Kingston Times to put out a message of sincere thanks to everyone on their behalf; to the Aarons, groundskeepers, maintenance and security.

To discuss the article in Ulster Publishing’s forum, click here and scroll to the bottom of the article.

Seniors Finalists – The Birches at Esopus

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

SPECIAL 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

Affordable, sustainable senior housing in Kingston

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

By: Beth Croughan for YNN News, Hudson Valley

KINGSTON, N.Y. — “We’ve met lots of friends, we have lots of fun.” click here for the video

Clara McGill has lived at the Birches at Chambers with her husband for the past two months. And her experience has been more than she expected. ”I’ve rented most of my life and I’ve never seen anything so beautiful, it’s beautiful. And it has everything,” McGill said.

Everything, for just about $770 a month. The 66-unit apartment complex is one of Ulster County’s newest in affordable housing.

“People’s incomes have dropped who perhaps have put money away for retirement and perhaps they’re forced out of their houses or apartments because they can’t pay market rent. People are living longer and the baby boomers are coming of age. So it’s a significant need,” said Steve Aaron of Birchez Associates.

And while the newest of Steve Aaron’s four affordable senior housing complexes tries to fill that need, it also aims to meet others. According to Michael Colgrove, a representative from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, “this building will use about 25 percent less energy then had it been built with normal construction practices.”

The main building in the complex was recognized as being a New York Energy Smart building. It also qualifies for Platinum LEED certification, which is the highest achievement in sustainable construction. ”Which makes it a building that has been adhering to best practices is the type of mechanical equipment that’s used. For example the boiler is high efficiency boiler that modulates, it has a brain to it so to speak,” said Joseph Malcarne, an energy consultant.

The building also features a radiant heating system in the floors and plans are in place to install solar panels to heat the buildings water supply and offset some electricity costs.

“This construction shows that it can be done, you can meet the highest standards of environmental construction while still building affordable housing,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein.

And for resident Clara McGill, green meant much more than just lowering her electric costs.

“The trees, the flowers, everything is so beautiful,” McGill said.

Senior complex dedicated in Ulster

Friday, July 9th, 2010

By Michael Novinson, Times Herald-Record, 7/9/2010

ULSTER — Boca on the Hudson?

Between a 50-seat movie theater with plush, reclining seats, a fitness studio with a trainer certified in physical therapy, and a mahogany-paneled game room that looks and presumably smells like the library from the board game Clue, The Birches at Chambers seems like an elegant, exclusive community.

“I feel like I live in Florida again, except that the ocean isn’t nearby,” said Birches resident Margrit Salimone, who spent 23 years in the Sunshine State.

But The Birches at Chambers, in the Town of Ulster, isn’t an affluent, gated community — it’s an affordable senior housing complex, with monthly rents ranging from $331 to $862. The $16 million complex has 14 two-bedroom apartments, 52 one-bedroom apartments and about 75 residents.

U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, state Sen. John Bonacic and Ulster County Executive Michael Hein spoke at the formal dedication of The Birches at Chambers on Thursday, but the complex was filled long before then. In fact, the complex was fully rented by the February 2009 groundbreaking ceremony, thanks to a 400-person waiting list at the adjacent Chambers Court, said Birches founder Steve Aaron.

People 62 or older — or under that age with a disability — with an annual gross income of less than $29,480 for a single person can live in The Birches at Chambers.

Even though the complex is Aaron’s fifth affordable living community to open in the past half-decade, he doesn’t plan on stopping now. Several dedication speakers mentioned a proposed senior complex in Fishkill.

At The Birches, no detail is left unpolished. Chambers resident Candy Belles said fellowresidents were unnerved by footsteps outside their rooms late at night. To quell their fears, Aaron had his security guards don bright yellow T-shirts.

“We’ve added years to these folks’ lives,” Aaron said.

mnovinson@th-record.com Photo: Candy Belles and Rabbi Yitzchok Hecht share a laugh in Belles’ new apartment at The Birches at Chambers in the Town of Ulster on Thursday. A dedication ceremony took place earlier at the state-of-the-art senior living community. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record also credit for introductory photo.

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

Birchez opens latest affordable senior housing community

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Mid-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.”