HOGANSBURG -- New York State Homes and Community Renewal and New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance have announced the completion of a $7 million affordable housing development on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation in the Akwesasne territory, said a press release from state agencies.

Located near the Franklin County hamlet of Hogansburg/Akwesasne and developed in partnership with the Akwesasne Housing Authority, Sunrise Acres Phase III features two single-story buildings with a total of 18 affordable apartments, including four supportive homes reserved for veterans who are experiencing homelessness.

“We are so proud of this new residence and all the work that was put in to its completion. Sunrise Acres Phase III provides new affordable housing for members of our community that need help to live independently,” the announcement quoted St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Chief Beverly Cook as saying.

“It has been an exciting journey to bring this project to fruition! We have worked hard in our discovery of several new sources of financing for a long awaited project,” said Akwesasne Housing Authority Executive Director Retha Leno.

“We are very thankful for the support from not only the funders of the capital project, but the service providers who will now begin the important work of supporting residents by connecting them to resources that will embrace, empower, and sustain their independence in a safe, affordable environment within their deeply rooted homelands of Akwesasne,” Leno said.

Sunrise Acres Phase III includes a building with 12 apartments for individuals who are 55 or older, with 10 of these apartments for those who are frail. The remaining two apartments will be reserved for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The project’s second building features six apartments, including four supportive homes reserved for veterans who are experiencing homelessness. The Franklin County Veterans Service Agency, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the St. Regis Mohawk Health Services’ Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Program will provide the supportive services, with program support funded through the state’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

All apartments will be affordable to households earning at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income. The Akwesasne Housing Authority will provide rental assistance for eight units, while OTDA will provide rental assistance for the four supportive units.

Sunrise Acres Phase III also features offices, a large community space, and laundry facilities in both buildings. There are two fully accessible, move-in ready units for persons with mobility impairment, and one unit move-in ready unit for an individual with a hearing or vision impairment.

State funding for the project included $2.2 million from HCR’s HOME program, $800,000 from OTDA’s Homeless Housing Assistance Program, and $64,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The Akwesasne Housing Authority also provided nearly $3.5 million to fund the project through HUD’s Indian Housing Block Grant Program. Additional financing was provided through the Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program.

The state’s investment in Sunrise Acres Phase III supports the Governor’s “Health Across All Policies and Age-Friendly State” initiative by preserving affordable homes for older adults, the press release said.