A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the $87 million Golden Hill Apartments development in Kingston. Developers of the project are Pennrose and Family of Woodstock. The housing development was built on a 20-acre site that formerly was the location of the Ulster County Jail.
The development features 164 units of affordable housing. Nearly half of the units are reserved for seniors aged 62 and older, and 48 apartments are set aside for households in need of supportive services. Family of Woodstock will provide onsite services such as case management, crisis intervention, and financial counseling. The development was supported by a $10 million award from Gov. Hochul’s inaugural Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund, as well as funding from multiple state and federal sources.
The development features all-electric buildings including a 700-kilowatt rooftop solar system that was co-funded through a Department of Environmental Conservation Climate Smart Communities Grant secured by the Ulster County. A kilowatt is one-thousand watts of electricity. Residents will have free broadband internet, childcare, a community garden, playgrounds, and a fitness center.
“This is a proud moment for Ulster County,” said County Executive Jen Metzger. “Golden Hill Apartments is exactly what community development should be: affordable; climate-responsible; and responsive to the diverse needs of our residents. We’ve transformed a former jail site into a vibrant, intergenerational community that offers not just housing, but services and amenities supporting a high quality of life for the seniors, children, families, and individuals who will call this beautiful community their home.“
Dylan Salmons, president of acquisitions at Pennrose said, “Golden Hill demonstrates how public and private sectors can work collaboratively to implement meaningful housing solutions, transforming an underutilized site into energy-efficient, multi-generational housing with on-site supportive services, connected community resources, and tailored amenities.”
According to Michael Berg, Family of Woodstock executive director, “Ulster County is struggling with a critical affordable housing shortage. The problem stems from the fact that housing built during the past 20 years did not align with the income levels of county residents. The Golden Hill project is especially important because it is the first workforce housing built specifically to address the needs of that local population.”
Congressman Pat Ryan recalled that he pushed for Golden Hill Apartments project when he was serving as Ulster County executive.
“I am so proud to see it officially open today,” Ryan said. “We have a full-scale (housing) crisis on our hands, and we have to embrace an all-of-the-above approach to address it. I am incredibly proud that the Golden Hill Apartments is officially opening.”
Kingston Mayor Steve Noble said, “A project that allows for a former jail site to become home to seniors and local families and is done with sustainability in mind is a shining example of a public-private effort that benefits the entire community. The City of Kingston entered into a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) for this project as well as a community benefits agreement, and I hope to continue this work with all of our partners to bring more exciting projects like this to fruition.”
All apartments at Golden Hill are affordable to households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income. The development features mid-rise apartment buildings, townhomes, and a central community building. It has a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. There is a new community hub that features a fitness center, community porch, and a child-care facility open to the public. Ulster County Area Transit will bring a new bus stop to the property later this year, providing public transportation options for residents and visitors.
New York State Housing Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Our investment in Golden Hill Apartments continues our efforts to ensure residents of all ages have access to the housing and support services they need to thrive and builds on our work in Ulster County where we’ve created or preserved more than 1,100 affordable homes over the past five years.”
