Knox Street Building 2 Will Create 42 Apartments with Supportive Services for Individuals Who Have Experienced Homelessness in St. Lawrence County

Supplements New York State's Ongoing Efforts to Expand Affordable and Permanent Supportive Housing Opportunities Across the State

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance today announced the groundbreaking of Knox Street Building 2, which will create 42 units of permanent supportive housing in Ogdensburg for individuals who have experienced homelessness. Developed by Standing Together Effectively for People by Standing Together Effectively for People, Inc. (S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc.), the $10.6 million project received $9.2 million from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP).

“When completed, Knox Street Building 2 will provide individuals who have experienced homelessness with much-needed permanent housing in St. Lawrence County along with easy access to support services that will help empower them to live stable and productive lives,” said New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn. “We are proud to once again partner with S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. in their longstanding work to expand supportive housing options in St. Lawrence County and help vulnerable individuals and families break the cycle of homelessness.”

S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc., is a nonprofit organization based in Ogdensburg that has provided affordable and supportive housing since 1997. The three-story Knox Street Building 2 will be located on the same property as Lincoln School Apartments, a former elementary school renovated by S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P. that created 20 units of permanent supportive housing, a project also funded by HHAP.

Additional funding for Knox Street Building 2 includes a $750,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s Affordable Home Program and a $147,000 contribution from S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P.

Operating funding for the project is being provided through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative through OTDA.

Support services for the project, provided on-site by S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P. and offsite by other community agencies, will include a mental health drop-in center, harm reduction programs, case management, as well as assistance focused on nutritional education, independent living skills, volunteer and vocational opportunities, and benefit enrollment.

Assemblyman Scott Gray said, “This groundbreaking marks more than just the start of construction; it represents a commitment to real, lasting solutions to homelessness in our region. I commend S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P. for their steadfast leadership and tireless advocacy in creating opportunities for our most vulnerable neighbors. Addressing homelessness requires a collaborative approach across every level of government and community involvement, and supportive housing is a vital part of that equation. Projects like Knox Street Building 2 ensure individuals have not only a roof over their heads, but the stability and services they need to rebuild and thrive.”

S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P. Executive Director David Bayne said, “This project offers direct access to essential support services for the most vulnerable residents in St. Lawrence County who are experiencing homelessness by providing much-needed safe, affordable housing in an effort to achieve and maintain stable lives in the community. We are grateful for OTDA’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program and the state's steadfast commitment to expanding the supply of permanent supportive housing for vulnerable New Yorkers and STEP by STEP is honored to be the awardee of this contract for St. Lawrence County.”