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Celebrating Innovation at the SBS Groundbreaking Ceremony

Groundbreaking Ceremony - Knox Street Building 2

It was pretty incredible this morning to be a part of the moment when a vision that began over twenty-five years ago became reality. It's taken a lot of people working relentlessly for a lot of years to make it happen.


Thank you to everyone that attended our Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Knox Street Building 2 project this morning! It took all of your support to make our vision become reality. Special thanks to Assemblyman Scott Gray, Michael Washburn (OTDA), and Barb Ward (SBS Board Secretary) for their inspirational words.


“When completed, Knox Street Building 2 will provide individuals who have experienced homelessness with much-needed permanent housing in St. Lawrence County along with easy access to support services that will help empower them to live stable and productive lives,” said OTDA Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn. “We are proud to once again partner with STEP by STEP, Inc. in their longstanding work to expand supportive housing options in St. Lawrence County and help vulnerable individuals and families break the cycle of homelessness.”



Project Details:

The Knox Street Building 2 will provide 42 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for adults who are at risk of homelessness and are in need of the services and supports that are tied to affordable housing to successfully live in the community. The rent is based upon 30% of the tenant's monthly income, making it affordable. Rent includes all utilities, wi-fi, and no cost laundry room.


Our new building will also be a green building, earning certification as a Passive House, with it having superior energy efficiency and resilience (all electric).


The individuals that live in S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc.'s Supportive Housing units have staff assistance obtaining stable income and benefits, connecting them with a primary care physician and other community providers and resources. Our staff helps educate our tenants on skills needed to live successfully in the community.


Our project has received funding from multiple sources including:

  • NYS OTDA Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP) - $9,729,210

  • NYS Federal Home Loan Bank"s Affordable Home Program (AHP) - $750,000

  • NYS Empire Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) - operating costs and rental stipends and program funding. .


The Knox Street Building 2 Project is only a piece of a much larger vision that began many years ago when Dave Bayne (Executive Director) and Barb Ward (SBS Board Secretary) joined forces to advocate for programs and rights for individuals living with mental illness. What began as a one-room Drop-In Center in 1996 has grown more than they ever imagined, and today S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. not only continues to support a Drop-In Center, but now provides housing, home and community based services, and locally grown produce from the SBS Garden.


Again, thank you to everyone that attended our Groundbreaking Ceremony this morning, as well as our community members for your continued support. We would not be able see our vision come to fruition without you all.


Sincerely,

Carrie Woodcock

Director of Peer and Recovery Supports



 
 
 
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