Work has started on a 147 million dollar mixed-use affordable housing scheme in Poughkeepsie. Named the Wallace Campus, the development will bring 187 new homes and fresh commercial spaces to Main Street. The initiative incorporates the conversion of a disused 1870s department store alongside the erection of two new buildings.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved upwards of 9,000 affordable properties across the Hudson Valley. This project contributes to Governor Kathy Hochul’s 25 billion dollar five-year housing strategy, which aims to secure 100,000 affordable homes across the state.

“Wallace Campus will not only create new affordable housing opportunities on Poughkeepsie’s Main Street Corridor, but will also bring new economic activity to the city and preserve an important piece of Poughkeepsie’s history,” Governor Hochul said. “This is more than an investment in a project; this is an investment in downtown Poughkeepsie and its future.”

Firms Mega Development Group and Ametrine Group are leading the construction in partnership with Mental Health America of Dutchess County. The project converts the old department store into 69 flats, whilst 118 further units will be spread across two newly constructed blocks. Properties will target households earning a maximum of 80 per cent of the Area Median Income.

The site offers studios alongside one, two and three-bedroom flats. Of these, 30 supportive units are set aside for residents requiring on-site services. Ground floors will feature more than 22,000 square feet of retail space to align with the goals of Poughkeepsie’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

Public spaces include walkways, seating and a dedicated children’s play area called Wallace Green. The all-electric properties will utilize energy-efficient appliances. Funding includes 46 million dollars in federal low-income tax credit equity, state tax credits, a 1.4 million dollar Clean Energy Initiative grant and local backing from the Dutchess County Housing Trust Fund.