An affordable housing project in Binghamton’s Southside East neighborhood is getting a makeover through a Binghamton Housing Authority project.
Saratoga Heights, which is owned by the BHA, is an 11-building complex serving low-income residents. The complex includes a total of 100 apartments, as well as a community building and medical clinic — which will be expanded as part of renovations.
The project is being developed amid ongoing concerns shared by residents of multiple BHA properties, including Saratoga Heights. On Aug. 25, members of the Binghamton Tenants Union gathered outside the Binghamton Housing Authority building in downtown Binghamton to voice their concerns about allegedly neglected properties.
According to residents, BHA properties Saratoga Heights and Terrace, North Shore and Carlisle Hills have had several unaddressed problems including mold, accessibility issues and rent increases. A list of demands published by the Tenants Union included immediate repairs, the restoration of community areas, increased transparency and a freeze on all rent increases.
In order to continue providing affordable housing, the BHA relies on rent payments from tenants, as well as federal support through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. According to BHA Executive Director Jean Westcott, long-term planning is difficult for organizations like the BHA due to year-to-year fluctuations in federal funding and an inability to access long-term mortgage capital.
Due to these difficulties, the BHA is aiming to transition Saratoga Heights to receive assistance under HUD’s Section 8 long-term project-based rental assistance programs as opposed to the current Public Housing Program assistance. The transition will allow for easier access to funding for long-term projects like the one the property is currently undergoing.
The project, which will cost a total of $42 million, is being executed in two phases to prevent long-term resident displacement. During phase one, half of the complex’s buildings will be stripped down to the studs and overhauled, a process which will be repeated in the second phase.
As part of renovations, BHA will aim to replace aging infrastructure, eliminate environmental hazards including asbestos, improve energy efficiency, revamp stormwater and sewage infrastructure, modernize units and increase accessibility for residents with disabilities. Throughout the duration of the project, residents will have the chance to live in other BHA housing at no extra cost, with moving expenses covered.
According to Bruce Levine, president and founder of 3d Development Group, the project’s developer, the renovation project will both modernize units and make them more accessible.
“As part of building it back up, we’re creating all new kitchens and bathrooms and converting the HVAC to an all-electric system,” said Levine. “The units themselves will be substantially new, and then in addition we have demolished all of the porches and concrete work around the units and created a much more accessible design both throughout the site and into all of the units.”
At the conclusion of the first phase, which began in March and is expected to wrap up around February 2026, residents will have the chance to move back into their renovated apartments and continue to receive housing assistance. Phase two will proceed accordingly, with residents being moved out at no extra cost while renovations are underway.
According to Levine, tenants will continue to pay 30% of their income toward rent and utilities, but will now do so under Section 8 rental assistance. While some tenants may not qualify for vouchers, the vast majority of tenants’ rents should remain the same, said Westcott.
The project is expected to be complete around early to mid-2027.
“It’s going to be transformative for the property, and hopefully transformative for the families that live there, as they have this new housing,” said Levine.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Saratoga Heights renovation: What’s planned, timeline for affordable housing project
Reporting by Riccardo Monico and Kalyn Grant, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
