Over the past few decades, downsizing in the manufacturing sector has triggered significant population loss in Rochester and Syracuse. Nearly one in four residents live on incomes below the federal poverty level—40 percent of households are low-income. Homeownership rates are 10 percentage points below the average of 50.5 percent for cities nationally. And although there are many vacant homes, the cost to rehabilitate the aging structures generally exceeds the value of the property.
We are grateful to the many partners that support our work. |
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Six-year-old Devon Ross stands in front of his new home. His stepmother became a first-time homeowner through the Enterprise-supported Rochester Housing Development Corporation. Along with families throughout Rochester, the Ross’ homeownership achievement not only stabilizes their family, but solidifies their finances and helps to establish their neighborhood.
Photo: Harry Connolly |
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We opened an office in Rochester in 1997 after being approached by the City of Rochester, community-based organizations and banking partners for assistance revitalizing their struggling neighborhoods.
- Working in collaboration with our funding partners, we helped to guide the success of neighborhood-based development organizations through the Rochester Community Development Collaborative resulting in
- With our affordable housing developer partners, we have invested over $100 million in tax credit equity and $15 million in loan capital to create over 1400 units of affordable housing
- We have provided grant support in excess of $3 million and technical assistance to our non-profit partner to help them grow their capacity in realizing neighborhood change
- We partnered to model the Rochester Housing Development Fund Corporation to turn HUD and City tax foreclosed properties into for-sale affordable homes through HOME Rochester
- We piloted a program with HUD to make 20 home-based child care programs lead-free through the Home-Based Child Care Home Repair Program and helped create 400 new child-care slots through loans to child care centers
As a bank supervisor, Johnny Burnice was no stranger to mortgages and interest rates. “But I never thought I could afford to buy my own house,” he says. Johnny’s perspective took a positive turn when he learned about the help available through Rochester’s homebuyer support system. Before long, Johnny understood the home-buying process, and obstacles dissolved to make way for the chance to build a brighter future. He was able to find the right house, choose the best mortgage and come up with the closing costs. Johnny took several classes on personal finance and home maintenance. He loves the safe, quiet neighborhood and his house, big enough for a home office and a full basement that will become a family room. There’s plenty of room for his extended family and many friends—and a large back-yard for hosting holiday barbecues. For Johnny, the best part is that the house belongs to him. He can paint and decorate just as he likes, without having to ask permission from the landlord. “The only downside,” he jokes, “is that I have to mow the lawn!”
“The support made it possible for me to grab my own piece of the dream.”
Johnny Burnice
Information on strategies for abandoned properties.
Coming Home, Neighborhood Success in Rochester (PDF, 485 KB, 2005)
Enterprise Community Partners
75 College Avenue, Suite 422
Rochester, NY 14607
Phone 585.454.2750
Fax 585.454.3847
Email Alma
Alma Balonon-Rosen
Local Office Director
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