SYRACUSE — Central New Yorkers who have struggled with mental health issues or homelessness now have a new place to call home: Star Park Apartments on the Near Westside of Syracuse. Local and state officials, developers and representatives from Helio Health gathered Aug. 27 to celebrate the completion of Star Park Apartments, which has 50 apartments with on-site supportive services.

Star Park Apartments is part of New York State’s five-year, $20 billion housing plan, which seeks to fight homelessness and improve accessibility to stable housing by “building or preserving more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 with supportive services.” The state provided $10.8 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds and $7.2 million in subsidies from NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) also helped finance the project.

While the apartments were completed over a year ago, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the ribbon cutting for the complex, located on State Fair Boulevard. Star Park contains 40 one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom apartments. Thirty units are reserved for those with a history of homelessness.

“There’s such an unmet need,” said Mike Newman of CSD Housing, which has partnered with NYS nonprofits to develop other affordable and supportive housing units.

“What we have witnessed that a lot of our nonprofit partners have told us is recovery is possible. We see it happen every day,” Newman said. “Housing like this helps people in recovery and they have a place to call home. It takes a lot of stress out of their lives.”

Suzanne Cook of OMH echoed Newman’s sentiments.

“Safe and stable housing is the foundation upon which recovery is built. It provides a safety net, peace of mind and a secure platform for personal growth,” Cook said. “When you no longer have to worry about where you rest your head at night, you can focus on building a more hopeful future.”

Cook said Star Park Apartments’ on-site mental health services, provided by Helio Health, will keep people “housed and healthy.” Tenants can also access education and employment support services, and the energy-efficient complex is within walking distance of a grocery store, library, houses of worship and public transportation.

Star Park tenants must meet income requirements, pass a background check and have an eligible diagnosis of serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) with disability according to OMH criteria.

Development for Star Park began in 2016 with Central New York Services, Inc., under Executive Director John Warren. CNY Services merged with Helio Health and Utica-based Insight House in January 2021.

“We are delighted that together we have completed this significant project. It expands Helio Health’s continuum of mental health residential services and brings new affordable housing resources to our area. Star Park’s opening will add to the overall health of individuals and our community. We are all proud to offer safe, stable supportive housing that is truly transformational,” said Jeremy Klemanski, president and CEO of Helio Health.

Newly sworn-in Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed the Star Park Apartments project in a statement Aug. 27.

“Supportive housing is a crucial component in our efforts to reduce homelessness and ensure all New Yorkers have access to a safe, affordable place to call home,” Hochul said. “Star Park Apartments provides its tenants with the stable, supportive environment they need to live independently while addressing the underlying causes of their housing insecurity. These developments, like many others occurring in Central New York and across the state, reaffirm our commitment to making affordable housing a reality for all New Yorkers.”

Star Park Apartments is located at 135 State Fair Blvd. in Syracuse. To learn more about supportive housing options in CNY, visit helio.health/housing/.