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Property purchase for Harison Place completed

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Citizen Advocates achieved a critical milestone as it moves forward with a transformational development project in downtown Malone.

The organization recently completed the purchase of eight properties that will be the eventual site of a 40-unit supportive housing and commercial development project in the Village of Malone.

“This initiative remains a beacon of hope as we endeavor to replace blighted, decaying properties with safe, stable and affordable housing and commercial space,” said James Button, CEO of Citizen Advocates. “Large scale investment in projects like this is all the more important at time when economic stimulus is needed in our communities – now more than ever.”

Referred to as the Harison Place project, the development on West Main Street includes street-level commercial storefronts with 40 units for supportive and low- to moderate-income housing.  The overall construction would fit aesthetically with existing downtown style and architecture. 

Key project milestones achieved so far include:

  • A total of $1.08 million in funding secured from various state agencies, in addition to a grant award from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
  • Agreement with the Village and Town of Malone for PILOT payments with 3.5 percent annual increases over 15 years of the contract.
  • Support from the Franklin County Historical and Museum Society.

Citizen Advocates is pursuing roughly $18.5 million in project funding through a variety of sources, which include low-income housing tax credits, grants and financing.

In addition to providing a wide range of quality clinical services, Citizen Advocates offers supports that promote individual health through stable housing, job training and transportation.