Ithaca Housing Authority Reopens Northside Apartments After Multi-Year Renovation | Ithaca

The Northside Apartments are back and better than ever following a multi-year demolition and reconstruction project that began in 2022. The project cost $75 million, increased energy efficiency, and added 12 additional units, bringing the total number of units available to 82.

According to Lisa Nicholas, Director of Planning for the City of Ithaca, the Ithaca Housing Authority (IHA) partnered with the 3rd Development Group to redevelop the outdated complex, which was first constructed in the 1960s. “The housing that was there before was older. It was built in the 1960s and needed to be updated because it wasn’t efficient.” 

According to Nicholas, the old apartments were larger and ranged from three to four bedrooms to accommodate the needs of large families at the time. However, as time progressed and family size decreased, Nicholas said it became common for just one or two people to occupy larger family units. As a result, Nicholas said “People wanted smaller units…so we updated the buildings to make them more functional and right-size the apartments.” 

Now the units range in size from one to two bedrooms, so despite providing 12 additional units the number of bedrooms at the complex has decreased from roughly 225 to 208. 

Nicholas said, “It’s great to see this older housing renovated. The goal was to make each unit seem more independent, so each unit has its own door in and out on the ground level and has a front and back stoop.” Nicholas added, “Before, there was a mix of different kinds of units, and a couple of buildings had entrances on the second floor.”

Nicholas also mentioned that plans maintained open green space and the minimal available parking space. She added that all units are affordable and available to residents earning up to 60% of the area median income. 

The project received significant funding from state and federal sources, including $10.6 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, $29.7 million in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and a $18.8 million subsidy from NYS Homes and Community Renewal. It also received significant local support, as the IHA contributed $9.2 million, the Tompkins County Community Housing Fund gave $300,000, and Ithaca Urban Renewal gave $91,000. 

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the reopening of Northside Apartments, which was attended by State Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Anna Kelles, Ithaca Housing Authority Executive Director Brenda Westfall said, “Redeveloping these properties was about more than just renovating buildings; it’s about revitalizing communities, preserving affordability, and creating opportunities for families to thrive.” She added, “Each improvement we make is an investment in the future, ensuring that everyone has access to safe, dignified, and sustainable housing.”

Tompkins County Legislature Chair Dan Klein highlighted the benefit the completion of this project has on the community’s affordable housing stock, saying, “This is a much-needed infusion of high-quality, affordable housing in our county.” Klein added, “A lack of affordable housing is at the root of so many issues, and the County is proud to be a small piece of the financing puzzle that brought this project to fruition.”

Families living at the complex who were displaced by the redevelopment project have been given first preference to return. Assemblymember Kelles underscored the importance of this, saying, “The commitment to ensure that existing residents were not displaced and get a right of first refusal for the newly renovated and constructed homes is a commitment to economic and racial justice.” 

Kelles added that families living at the complex were able to keep their children in the same school throughout the redevelopment process. “Redevelopments can be disruptive to the community, so…thank you for the commitment to keep children in their schools of choice throughout the duration of the construction,” Kelles said.

State Senator Webb said, “With the rehabilitation of units and the construction of new, affordable rental homes across three sites, this initiative ensures that residents will have safe, sustainable, and high-quality housing.” She added, “I will continue to prioritize quality and affordable housing which supports individuals and families across our region.”