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2005 ANNUAL REPORT
The University Neighborhood is fortunate
to be considered one of the most desirable places in the
City to live because of its location close to University
Hill establishments and Downtown, its quality of public and
private schools, unique architecture and history, cultural
diversity, and abundance of green space. As a result, the
demand for quality housing stock for the purpose of owner
occupancy continues to rise.
If success can be measured
then UNPA is successful
Since
1993 to date, UNPA has assisted over 500 homebuyers with
$2 million dollars in grants or deferred loans; and over
200 homebuyers with $500,000 in grants and loans within the
last 5 years alone.
Of those assisted since 2001 to date:
− Over 90% are first time homebuyers.
− Over 30% are 13210 residents who previously rented
or owned, returned and opted to buy and settle in the neighborhood.
− Nearly 50% are employed by Crouse Hospital, Upstate
Medical University, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry,
Veterans Administration Medical Center, or Syracuse University.
− Over 90% work in the City of Syracuse.
− Nearly 45% purchased formerly rental, foreclosed
or estate houses.
− Over 30% are low to low-moderate income recipients
who (together with funding from UNPA and other subsidized
homeownership mortgage and rehabilitation assistance programs)
were able to achieve the dream of home ownership.
About 5 years ago, UNPA began participating as an investment
and development partner with Empire Housing & Development,
and now, Home Headquarters, both Central NY non-profit residential
development agencies. Independently and together our organizations
have identified, purchased, rehabilitated, marketed, and
sold a number of distressed single and multi-unit properties
within the UNPA target area to owner occupants.
These properties
are located within the:
− 200 Block of Clark Street
− 100 Block of Fellows Avenue
− 700 Block of Sumner Avenue,
− 400 Block of Westcott Street, and
− 900 Block of Euclid Avenue
Sales are pending on a rehabilitated rental property on the
900 Block of Lancaster Avenue, a unique masonry duplex on
the 700 Block of South Beech Street, and a transformed 1800’s
Victorian-style house located on the 100 Block of Concord
Place.
To learn more about UNPA and its programs, please visit www.unpa.net.
While there, be sure to check out the "News & Events"
and "Buying a Home? Own a Home" sections – where
you can research other grant, loan and tax incentive programs
accessible to home owners and buyers of all income levels.
As a bit of history …
In 1990, a group of concerned residents began developing
a strategy to proactively market the neighborhood as a "great
place to live", one they hoped would also ebb the tide
of investor ownership versus owner occupancy (an impact identified
as directly attributable to having Syracuse University as
a neighbor).
A "breakthrough" occurred in 1993 when
S.U. and the City of Syracuse entered into an agreement (Ordinance
#553) requiring Syracuse University (S.U.) to pay a fee of
$250,000 annually to fund services addressing students’ impact
on neighborhoods southeast of the campus. Increasing each
year, with the Consumer Price Index, the fee in 2005-2006
was $329,750, bringing S.U. total contribution to more than
$3 million.
As a result, the University Neighborhood Service Agreement
Advisory Council (UNSAAC) was born, and with it, the University
Neighborhood Preservation Association (UNPA). That same year,
UNPA became incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
responsible for administering a portion of the funds generated
by the fee.
The major goal of UNPA is to help families and individuals
purchase a home in the University Neighborhood.
Our mission
is:
− to market the neighborhood as a good place to live,
− to promote owner occupancy in the area east of Syracuse
University,
− to provide financial incentives to do so, and
− to partner with municipal agencies and other neighborhood
organizations who also have a stake in the health, safety
and welfare of the neighborhood.
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