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Syracuse Turns the Tide on Homelessness with Innovative Affordable Housing

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 8:48 GMT by syracuse.com

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A New Kind of Affordable Housing is Turning the Tide on Homelessness in Syracuse

The article opens with an intimate moment: a woman who has spent years living on the streets of Syracuse sits in a bright, newly furnished apartment and tells the reporter, “I still want to cry.” The tears are not just for a life of struggle but for a fragile hope that, finally, she has a place to call home. Her story is one of many that the piece uses to spotlight a fresh approach to affordable housing in the city—an initiative that is as much about people as it is about bricks and mortar.

The Homelessness Problem in Syracuse

Syracuse, like many mid‑size cities across the United States, has faced a steady rise in homelessness over the past decade. According to the 2024 Syracuse Homelessness Snapshot released by the city’s Office of Homeless Services, the number of individuals counted on the streets rose from 650 in 2015 to 1,220 in 2024. While the city has historically relied on temporary shelters and emergency beds, those solutions have never addressed the root cause of chronic homelessness: the lack of affordable, stable housing coupled with limited access to supportive services.

The article cites the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) 2024 report, which found that 65 % of the city’s population lives below the area median income (AMI), and that affordable rental units in the city represent only 12 % of the total rental inventory—well below the 20 % threshold recommended by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These statistics set the stage for the city’s quest for a “different kind of affordable housing.”

The “Different Kind of Affordable Housing” Initiative

At the heart of the story is the “Different Kind of Affordable Housing” (DKAH) program, a public‑private partnership that combines city funding, private investment, and nonprofit expertise. The initiative was born out of a 2022 meeting between Mayor Mary Daly, Housing Director Carlos Ruiz, and the Board of Trustees of the Syracuse Housing Partnership (SHP). The goal was to create a prototype model that could be replicated across the city.

Design & Features

• Location: A former industrial complex on East Genesee Street, roughly 0.6 acres, has been repurposed into a 40‑unit apartment complex.
• Unit Mix: 20 studio units, 10 one‑bedroom units, and 10 two‑bedroom units, all with rent set at 60 % of the AMI for the area.
• Supportive Services: The building houses a counseling suite, a drop‑in center for job training, and a small on‑site medical clinic operated in partnership with the Syracuse Health Center.
• Sustainability: Solar panels and rainwater harvesting are incorporated to reduce operating costs, making the units more affordable for residents.

The article notes that the project is being managed by SHP, a nonprofit that has operated housing projects in Syracuse for over 25 years, and financed through a mix of municipal bonds, a $5 million state grant, and a private donation of $2 million from the McKenzie Family Foundation.

The Housing First Philosophy

One of the links embedded in the article leads to the City of Syracuse’s official “Housing First” page, which outlines the philosophy that stable housing is the foundation for accessing healthcare, employment, and substance abuse treatment. The DKAH project incorporates this model by requiring a basic commitment from residents to engage with available services but without mandating sobriety or employment before moving in—a departure from traditional “treatment‑first” programs.

Voices from the Frontlines

The article spends a substantial portion on firsthand accounts.

• María López, a resident who moved into the complex after 18 months on the street, shares that the sense of “ownership” she feels is transformative. “I can’t imagine sleeping in a tent again,” she says. “It feels like I’m finally part of the city.”
• John Miller, a program coordinator at SHP, explains how the team tailors services. “We do a thorough assessment to identify each person’s needs—whether it’s job training, mental health support, or financial literacy—and then we create a personalized plan.”
• Mayor Daly speaks of the city’s vision: “We’re not just building houses. We’re building a community that cares for itself.”

These voices provide a human context that complements the program’s metrics.

Early Impact & Data

The article highlights a 12‑month pilot study conducted by the Syracuse Housing Authority. Of the 40 residents, 30 have maintained tenancy through the end of the study period, yielding a 75 % retention rate—significantly higher than the 50 % national average for similar programs. Additionally, participants reported an average income increase of $12,000 per year, primarily due to job placement assistance.

The DHCD’s linked report on “Syracuse’s Housing Outcomes 2023” provides further context: the city has seen a 10 % drop in street counts since the program’s inception, and the average length of stay in temporary shelters has decreased by 30 days.

Challenges & Criticisms

The article does not shy away from criticism. Some residents of the surrounding neighborhood expressed concerns over increased traffic and “change” to the area’s character. The city’s zoning board is now considering amendments to the “Syracuse Urban Revitalization Plan” to address these concerns. Moreover, the funding structure has been scrutinized; some community groups question whether the reliance on private donors creates a long‑term dependence that could jeopardize the program’s sustainability.

A link to the City Council’s meeting minutes reveals a heated debate where a council member raised concerns about “gentrification” and the potential displacement of low‑income renters. The council ultimately voted 5‑2 to proceed with a revised plan that includes community outreach and a rent‑control safeguard for the remaining affordable units.

The Bigger Picture: Replicability & Policy Implications

The article concludes by positioning DKAH as a model that could be scaled. The city’s Housing Director points to state legislation—specifically the 2024 NYS Affordable Housing Incentive Act—as a potential vehicle to replicate the program in other municipalities. The piece also links to the “NYC Affordable Housing Initiative” article, drawing parallels between Syracuse’s experiment and the broader trend of “housing first” policies nationwide.

In the final paragraph, the reporter reflects on María’s earlier statement, “I still want to cry.” That cry, according to the article, is not one of despair but of relief and gratitude—a testament to the transformative power of stable, supportive housing.

Summary

• Problem: Syracuse’s homelessness crisis and lack of affordable housing.
• Solution: DKAH—public‑private partnership, Housing First model, 40‑unit complex with supportive services.
• Implementation: City bonds, state grant, private donation; managed by SHP; solar panels and rainwater harvesting.
• Impact: 75 % tenancy retention, increased income, reduced shelter stays.
• Challenges: Community concerns, funding sustainability, zoning debates.
• Future: Replication across the city, state policy support, lessons for other mid‑size U.S. cities.

By weaving personal narratives with data, policy analysis, and community perspectives, the article paints a comprehensive picture of how one city’s bold, innovative approach to affordable housing is beginning to rewrite the story of homelessness in Syracuse.