An Interview with Michael W. La Flair of Housing Visions
Michael La Flair stands in front of 664 Onondaga Street, the Ethel T. Chamberlain House in Syracuse, NY.
The Ethel T. Chamberlain House in Syracuse was restored through a collaborative effort between Housing Visions and the Salvation Army. The former apartment building, which had sat vacant for decades, is now home to a women’s shelter with permanent housing and on-site support staff. The building was in a significant state of disrepair when restoration work began. It’s a remarkable transformation that saved a historic building and added essential services for the community. We reached out to Housing Visions Director of Community & Government Relations Michael W. La Flair to learn more about this preservation success story.
Can you tell me a bit more about your organization, Housing Visions?
A view of the dining room. Credit: Don Cochran
Over 30 years ago, our modest start in revitalizing a neighborhood on the east side of Syracuse, NY, started a journey of discovery and growth. A taskforce of dedicated citizens focused on making a positive change in the Greater East Genesee Street Neighborhood in Syracuse proved to be a catalyst for positive and lasting changes. Shortly thereafter Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc. formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit to improve the quality of housing and quality of life, and to implement its model for revitalizing neighborhoods. Housing Visions Unlimited is a Neighborhood Preservation Company (NPC) and Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). Other neighborhoods soon took notice of the quality of work and the neighborhood change that was occurring on the east side of Syracuse, NY and thus expansion into other neighborhoods followed. The neighborhood revitalization model created initially continues to be used on each project. Neighborhood representation is integral and is achieved by partnering with local neighborhood organizations that are interested in improving the quality of housing and the quality of life in their communities. Each partnership is unique to the specific project, merging the abilities and the dedication of those involved to bring about a long lasting revitalization. In order to ensure shared values and quality, Housing Visions Construction Co., Inc. was formed as a not-for-profit affiliate to provide construction services that aided in halting the physical and economic deterioration of urban areas and to increase the availability of quality housing to low- and moderate-income residents. We’ve learned many things along the way but the point is this: with each revitalized neighborhood we learn and grow as a company. Those lessons and that experience make us a better partner for each new community we work with.
The front elevation of the Ethel T. Chamberlain building before and after restoration. Credit: Don Cochran
The building at 664 W. Onondaga Street required a total gut rehabilitation. With that in mind, what made this particular building so appealing for this project?
The ETC building was seen as an opportunity. We were really looking at a way to tackle the idea of helping this particular population and the most effective way and housing the initial services, while providing a long term sustainable pathway for success. This would require a larger building, yet something that was not too large that would make the building and the programming unmanageable. Being located in proximity to basic needs was important too as the population served would need access to all that a city can provide. Our primary goal is to be the catalyst for lasting positive change in neighborhoods and we saw this area as ripe for this transformation, and since starting the project we have witnessed this with private development occurring. Finally, the chance to bring back to life this beautiful structure that has laid dormant for decades was deep in our minds. We are a city of great architecture and the opportunity to save another building was important to us.
Were there any surprises or particular highlights from this restoration?
The restored roof supports a solar array, increasing the building’s sustainability. Credit: Don Cochran
The ability to be able to bring a rooftop mounted solar photovoltaic system after complete renovation of the roofing was a great highlight for sustainability and embracing 21st century technology. Also that the project has been rehabilitated to meet both the EPA’s Energy Star program and Enterprise’s Green Community program requirements.
What role do you see preservation playing for organizations like yours, focused on enacting sustainable positive change for their communities?
As part of our mission, preservation plays a huge role. These older structures are the only visible link residents, former residents, and visitors alike have to the neighborhood. Neighborhoods and memories are built on these older structures. They play an integral part of the fabric of the neighborhood, just as important as an individual.
A lot of your work focuses on affordable housing. Can you talk a bit about how rehabilitating historic buildings and affordable housing go hand-in-hand?
A community bulletin board inside the Ethel T. Chamberlain House.
Most private developers are reluctant to build affordable housing and rehabilitate historic structures. This is due to financial concerns in the construction process, operational concerns on restricted rents, lack of knowledge/experience in navigating and managing tax credit programs. Marrying these two approaches together enhances the ability to ensure the success of these types of projects. Without the tax credit programs, many of these would not be saved.
This interview is part of our series celebrating the 2020 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award winners. You can find all the posts in this series by clicking here.