Rochester man who lost everything after an aneurysm finds a home again thanks to new affordable housing complex. Adelisa Badžić News10NBC Updated: 2 hours ago Published: September 30, 2026 - 3:09 PM ROCHESTER, N.Y. - A new affordable housing complex called True North has opened in Rochester, offering 70 apartments across two locations, including 18 ADA-accessible units. News10NBC's Adelisa Badzic toured one of the facilities and spoke with residents and officials about the impact of the project. One resident, Jerell Jones, was a chef before he had an aneurysm. "I was declared unable to ever work again. So I had to go and live in a shelter and I had to reevaluate my life and start all over again," Jones said. Jones said he connected with Catholic Charities while living in a shelter, which helped him apply for affordable housing, and now he has a home again. "I have stability. I'm on the road to see my daughter again. My life went from gray and dark and a lot of lonely nights. To be able to live again and understand it's not over," Jones said. Mark Fuller, president of DePaul, said the complex is working to fix the issues of homelessness. "We all know the level of homelessness that has developed both locally, statewide and nationally. So we're doing our little part to make a dent in homelessness," Fuller said. Who funded this? The main goal of True North is to help get homeless people off the streets and out of shelters. The project is a nearly $40 million investment by the state and the city of Rochester, with $5.5 million from the state's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, $30 million from New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and a $750,000 federal grant through the city. The cost of a one-bedroom apartment depends on household size and income. For someone making between $13,500 and $28,000 per year, rent is $540, while for those making between $28,750 and $74,800, rent can be up to $1,150. True North was developed through a partnership of DePaul, the Finger Lakes Area Counseling & Recovery Agency, Person Centered Housing Options, and the Rochester Interfaith Development Corporation. The complex also includes a wellness clinic and aims to address critical housing and supportive service needs in Rochester's Upper Falls neighborhood. The opening of True North marks a significant step in providing stable housing and support for low-income and formerly homeless residents in Rochester. How to find affordable housing. New York State has launched a website to help people find listings and lotteries for affordable housing. You can search for housing here.

Pan-American Square Apartments wins Community Impact Award. SWBR Company is pleased to announce that DePaul Pan-American Square Apartments has been recognized with the 2025 Community Impact Award by the Buffalo/WNY Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. This award honors projects that make a meaningful difference in their communities through thoughtful, inclusive design. Completed earlier this year, Pan-American Square Apartments transformed a former rail corridor into a 150-unit affordable and supportive housing community in Buffalo, NY. Designed to Passive House standards, the development provides energy-efficient homes and essential services for seniors and individuals experiencing homelessness or mental illness. More than housing, it is a catalyst for community revitalization, delivering stability, sustainability, and hope for Buffalo's most vulnerable residents. Jury Comment: The integration of community-based programs and sustainable design at the Pan-American Square Apartments struck the jury. Exemplifying the criteria of the Community Award, the Pan-American Square Apartments took a holistic approach to senior living and supportive housing that will have a lasting positive impact on the WNY community. It is clear that this project will uplift and provide stability for the most vulnerable members of its community and the design team took every opportunity to maximize resources available to its residents. SWBR provided architectural, interior design, structural engineering, landscape architecture, and graphic design services for the project. The awards celebration was held Thursday, November 6 in Buffalo, NY.