A new Housing Visions building that is free from lead.

Housing Visions

“We can choose to pay now for safe housing or pay later as a society when we’ve poisoned our children.”

Syracuse’s problem is not a lack of housing; it is a lack of quality, safe, affordable housing, according to Ben Lockwood, president and CEO of Housing Visions.  But now, as you’re driving down Butternut Street, you’ll see something new and uplifting – clean, crisp, new rental units ready for families to call home.

With some apartments complete and others still under construction, this Housing Visions project will ultimately introduce 53 new rental apartments into a Syracuse neighborhood that is in desperate need of healthy, safe and affordable housing. According to the Onondaga County Health Department, more than 21 percent of children living in Census Tract 23 that were tested (which is located just north of Interstate 690 between Pearl and Lodi streets) were shown to have elevated blood lead levels in 2017.

Housing Visions’ Butternut Crossing, located in the same census tract, boasts newly constructed rental homes that are completely lead-free, eliminating the threats of childhood lead poisoning that lie within much of Syracuse’s aging housing stock. The impact of this development will be measured when children living in this neighborhood are re-tested for lead in the future.

A $150,000 grant from the Community Foundation went towards the buildings’ construction.

“The buildings we demolished were not only full of lead, they were all beyond their useful life due to neglect,” said Lockwood. “Without the grant from the Community Foundation it would have been difficult to undertake the scale of our project.”

Our grant was one of seven awarded last fall in the first round of grants from its LeadSafeCNY initiative, for which it has committed to invest $2 million over four years. The initiative is designed to tackle the issue of childhood lead poisoning through multiple approaches including funding, impact investing and collaboration to support lead-free housing construction, existing home renovations, community outreach and training, workforce development, and public policy.

Housing Visions’ mission is to work in neighborhoods as a catalyst for positive, sustainable change. The organization works with many populations including those that have encountered significant trauma, such as survivors of domestic violence, homeless veterans, or others with permanent disabilities.

“The great part about working with various populations and communities is that we can blend the need for neighborhood revitalization and housing stability to solve both problems at once,” stated Lockwood. “Additionally, we feel we are adding fabric to the neighborhood. A great neighborhood is a microcosm of our community; homeowners, renters, investors, businesses, employees and other stakeholders.”

This latest project of Housing Visions is a collaborative effort that involves partnerships with Home HeadQuarters, The Greater Syracuse Land Bank, Northeast Hawley Development Association, Northside UP, The Syracuse Northeast Community Center, the City of Syracuse, and the Butternut, Pond & Danforth neighborhood group.

The new apartments at Butternut Crossings are typically rented out within one day. As Syracuse residents learn more about the negative effects of lead poisoning, parents are looking for ways to protect their children. Families are often surprised that they have the opportunity to live in a high-quality apartment.

For Lockwood, the decision in addressing the city’s lead crisis is obvious: “We can choose to pay now for safe housing or pay later as a society when we’ve poisoned our children.”

Related Stories

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

hand holding growing money
Stories March 7, 2023

SECURE 2.0 Introduces Legacy IRA and a Boost for QCDs

Hear from Jan Lane, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, about the three key provisions affecting philanthropists ...

Students sitting around a table using laptops
Stories March 2, 2023

Junior Achievement Supports Students with Virtual Learning Program

Finding a career can feel like a heavy weight on youths’ shoulders and support may ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

Two girls talking
News Releases January 30, 2023

More than $1 Million Distributed to Local Nonprofits

The Central New York Community Foundation recently distributed $974,280 in Community Grants and $159,000 in ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

hand holding growing money
Publications December 6, 2022

Charitable Giving Using the New York Statutory Power of Attorney By Bill Davies

William Davies, Attorney at Davies Law Firm, P.C., explores how the New York Statutory Power ...

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

hand holding growing money
Stories March 7, 2023

SECURE 2.0 Introduces Legacy IRA and a Boost for QCDs

Hear from Jan Lane, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, about the three key provisions affecting philanthropists ...

Students sitting around a table using laptops
Stories March 2, 2023

Junior Achievement Supports Students with Virtual Learning Program

Finding a career can feel like a heavy weight on youths’ shoulders and support may ...

Headshot of Rhoda Sikes along with a photo of Onondaga Lake
Blogs February 21, 2023

A Lifetime Commitment to the Community: Rhoda Sikes

Even well after her tenure ended at Heman Street Elementary School, Rhoda Sike's passion for ...

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

Two girls talking
News Releases January 30, 2023

More than $1 Million Distributed to Local Nonprofits

The Central New York Community Foundation recently distributed $974,280 in Community Grants and $159,000 in ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

hand holding growing money
Publications December 6, 2022

Charitable Giving Using the New York Statutory Power of Attorney By Bill Davies

William Davies, Attorney at Davies Law Firm, P.C., explores how the New York Statutory Power ...

View More