Press Release

Gillibrand Announces More Than $8.5 Million to Upgrade Senior Housing in Syracuse

Nov 28, 2011

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, today announced an $8,587,883 Assisted Living Conversion Program (ALCP) grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Loretto in Syracuse to support a multi-year project to renovate 39 units of affordable housing and install a full size elevator for senior citizens living at the Bernardine assisted living facility.

“This is a great investment for Syracuse seniors,” Senator Gillibrand said. “These renovations at the Bernardine will help increase safety and provide a higher quality of life for seniors who call it home. I will keep fighting to secure the resources our seniors need and deserve.” 

Sally Berry, Senior Vice President for policy and Program Development at Loretto said, “This award is an exciting capstone to a multi-year project that is transforming the Bernardine into a residence that will better meet the accessibility needs of older adults and at the same time create a warmer, friendlier and safer living environment.”

Loretto is a not-for-profit provider of long term care to nearly 6,000 Central New York residents annually, ranging from independent housing to skilled nursing care, and includes the region’s only Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) as well as multiple senior housing sites. The average age of Bernardine residents is 83 years and more than 15 percent of the residents are 90 years or older. Of the nearly 200 residents, over half require assistance with activities of daily living.