On August 24, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of construction on an 80-unit affordable housing development at the former Oval Wood Dish Factory site in Tupper Lake, New York. The $46 million mixed-use project, led by the Lahinch Group and Housing Visions, will transform a long-vacant industrial site into modern apartments and commercial space, with all residential units affordable to households earning up to 90% of Area Median Income. Completion is targeted by the end of 2027, with pre-leasing beginning in summer 2027.
What Is Governor Hochul’s Affordable Housing Initiative?
Governor Hochul’s affordable housing initiative is a $25 billion, five-year Housing Plan aimed at creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York State. The plan targets both urban and rural communities, with specific focus on transforming underutilized industrial sites into mixed-use neighborhood assets. As of 2026, more than 2,500 affordable homes have already been created or preserved in the North Country region alone, according to New York State news from the governor’s office.
The plan uses layered financing that combines federal tax credits, Housing Trust Fund subsidies, HOME program funds, and Pro-Housing Communities grants. State agencies like Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) administer the funding and oversee project compliance. The initiative emphasizes inclusive design, requiring accessible and adaptable units in funded developments.
Decision rule: Projects like Tupper Lake’s Oval Wood Dish Factory qualify for this initiative when they combine affordable housing with community revitalization goals and demonstrate feasible financing through state-supported programs.
Where Is Tupper Lake, New York?
Tupper Lake is a village in the Adirondack Park in Franklin County, northern New York State, approximately 120 miles north of Albany. It sits along the Raquette River and serves as a gateway community to the Adirondack Mountains, with a population of approximately 3,500 residents.
The village is part of the North Country region targeted by state housing investments. Tupper Lake received a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award, and the Oval Wood Dish Factory site is located in the waterfront uptown district at the center of that revitalization effort, as detailed in the governor’s announcement of transformational projects for Tupper Lake.
Common mistake: People often confuse Tupper Lake with Lake Placid, another Adirondack community about 20 miles to the east. Tupper Lake is distinct and faces its own unique housing challenges tied to its industrial history and remote location.
Governor Hochul Announces Start of Construction on 80-Unit Affordable Housing Development in Tupper Lake: Unit Breakdown
Eighty affordable housing units are being built at the Oval Wood Dish Factory site, consisting of one- and two-bedroom apartments spread across eight buildings. “80-unit” means the development will contain 80 individual residential apartment homes, all designated as affordable housing for households earning up to 90% of Area Median Income.
Key unit details include:
- Unit types: One-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans
- Accessibility: Four units designed for residents with mobility disabilities; two units for sensory disabilities
- Commercial space: Mixed-use development includes commercial space alongside residential units
- On-site business: Raquette River Brewing will operate a production facility on-site
The term “affordable” in this context means rents are restricted to levels that households earning up to 90% of Area Median Income can afford, as defined by federal and state housing guidelines. All 80 residential units carry this affordability designation.
When Will Tupper Lake Affordable Housing Be Completed?
The Tupper Lake affordable housing project is targeted for full completion by the end of 2027, with pre-leasing of all 80 units beginning in summer 2027 and residents expected to move in before 2028. The construction timeline follows a phased approach that began with site preparation in spring 2026.
The project timeline and phases include:
- Late May 2026: Site demolition and environmental abatement began
- August 24, 2026: Formal groundbreaking and construction start
- Fall/Winter 2026: Roof replacement on all eight buildings; plumbing trenches and concrete floor slabs installed before winter
- Summer 2027: Pre-leasing begins for all 80 units
- End of 2027: Targeted project completion
- Before 2028: First residents move in
According to the Adirondack Explorer’s construction update, developers reported that roofs on each of the eight buildings will be removed and replaced, and trenches for plumbing and concrete floor slabs will be installed before winter to set up the main construction phase.
Edge case: The project was originally announced around 2021, and developers initially aimed to break ground in summer 2024, as North Country Public Radio reported. Rising borrowing and construction costs created an estimated $5 million financing gap that delayed the start. A $3 million Pro-Housing Communities grant awarded in February 2025 was critical to closing that gap.
How Much Is the Tupper Lake Affordable Housing Project Costing?
The total project cost for the Tupper Lake affordable housing development is estimated at $45-46 million. Individual apartment rents for residents will be set at affordable levels based on 90% of the Area Median Income for Franklin County, though exact monthly rent figures have not yet been published as of the construction start date.
The financing package includes multiple layered sources:
| Funding Source | Amount | Estimated Equity Generated |
|---|---|---|
| Pro-Housing Communities Initiative grant | $3 million | Direct funding |
| Federal tax credits | $1.2 million | Over $10 million |
| State tax credits | $500,000 | About $3.5 million |
| Housing Trust Fund subsidies | $5.2 million | Direct funding |
| HOME program funds | $2.1 million | Direct funding |
| Downtown Revitalization Initiative | $1.9 million | Direct funding |
| New Construction Program | $1.4 million | Direct funding |
The layered financing model combines federal tax credits, state subsidies, and local DRI funds. This approach is standard in affordable housing development because no single funding source can cover the full cost of construction and rehabilitation. The $3 million grant awarded in February 2025 was specifically credited with closing the financing gap caused by rising costs, as reported by the Adirondack Explorer’s coverage of the additional state funding.
Who Qualifies for Affordable Housing in Tupper Lake and What Is the Income Limit?
Households earning up to 90% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Franklin County, New York, qualify for the affordable housing units at the Oval Wood Dish Factory development. AMI is a figure calculated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development based on regional income data and household size.
Key qualification details:
- AMI thresholds vary by household size and geographic region
- A single-person household has a lower qualifying income ceiling than a family of four at the same AMI percentage
- Six units have specific accessibility features for residents with disabilities
- Preference may be given to current Tupper Lake residents or those with local employment ties
- Exact AMI figures for Franklin County should be confirmed with the developer or HCR at application time
Common mistake: Applicants often assume they earn too much or too little without checking the actual AMI thresholds. Income limits are set as percentages of AMI and vary by household size, so a single person and a family of four have different qualifying thresholds. Always verify current AMI figures before assuming ineligibility.
How to Apply for Affordable Housing in Tupper Lake
Applications for the Tupper Lake affordable housing units will be available when pre-leasing begins in summer 2027. Interested households should contact Housing Visions or the Lahinch Group directly and monitor the New York State Homes and Community Renewal pressroom for application postings.
Steps to apply:
- Confirm eligibility: Verify your household income falls within 90% AMI for Franklin County
- Gather documents: Collect proof of income, government-issued identification, and household composition records
- Watch for announcements: Monitor for the application opening in summer 2027 through HCR and developer channels
- Submit application: Complete and submit the application through the designated channel before the deadline
- Complete lease process: If selected through the lottery or waitlist, complete a lease agreement and move-in process
Edge case: Affordable housing applications often use a lottery system when demand exceeds supply. Being prepared with all documentation before the application window opens can improve your chances of being selected. Missing the application window typically means being placed on a waitlist, which can extend wait times significantly.
Why Is Affordable Housing Important in Rural New York and What Housing Shortage Problems Does Tupper Lake Face?
Affordable housing is critical in rural New York because communities like Tupper Lake face severe housing shortages driven by aging housing stock, limited new construction, and economic shifts that have left industrial sites vacant. Without affordable options, workforce retention and community sustainability suffer.
Tupper Lake’s specific housing challenges include:
- The Oval Wood Dish Factory sat vacant for years, representing a common pattern of industrial decline in Adirondack communities
- Limited housing supply drives up rents and home prices beyond what local wages can support
- Employers struggle to recruit and retain workers when housing is unavailable or unaffordable
- Remote location makes commuting from other communities impractical for most workers
- Seasonal tourism economy creates competition for limited housing stock
The redevelopment directly addresses Tupper Lake’s housing shortage by adding 80 new units while repurposing a blighted industrial site. Housing Visions described the project as an opportunity to “breathe new life” into the long-vacant building and re-energize the community. The project aligns with the state’s goal of transforming underutilized industrial sites into vibrant mixed-use neighborhood assets.
The redevelopment is a centerpiece of Tupper Lake’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award, which includes approximately $1.95 million specifically dedicated to redeveloping the site for workforce housing, co-working space, and the Raquette River Brewing production facility, strengthening the village’s waterfront uptown district.
What Other Affordable Housing Projects Has Hochul Announced?
Governor Hochul has announced multiple affordable housing developments across New York State as part of her $25 billion Housing Plan, including a $147 million affordable housing development and numerous projects in the North Country region. The Tupper Lake project is one component of a broader statewide strategy.
The Oval Wood Dish Factory redevelopment is led by Syracuse-based Lahinch Group, founded by Joseph Gehm, which specializes in rehabilitating historic buildings. The developer works in partnership with affordable housing nonprofit Housing Visions and state agencies including HCR. This public-private collaboration model is a hallmark of Governor Hochul’s approach to expanding affordable housing statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Oval Wood Dish Factory in Tupper Lake?
The Oval Wood Dish Factory is a former industrial manufacturing site in Tupper Lake, New York, that has been vacant for years. It is being redeveloped into 80 affordable housing units and commercial space as part of a $46 million project.
Who is developing the Tupper Lake affordable housing project?
The project is led by Syracuse-based Lahinch Group, founded by Joseph Gehm, in partnership with affordable housing nonprofit Housing Visions and New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
How many buildings are in the development?
The development consists of eight buildings at the former Oval Wood Dish Factory site. All eight buildings will have their roofs removed and replaced during the construction phase.
What types of apartments will be available?
The development will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments, with all 80 units designated as affordable housing for households earning up to 90% of Area Median Income.
Are there accessible units available?
Yes. Four units are designed for residents with mobility disabilities and two units are designed for residents with sensory disabilities, reflecting a strong emphasis on inclusive, barrier-free housing.
When can residents apply?
Pre-leasing is expected to begin in summer 2027. Interested applicants should contact Housing Visions or monitor the HCR website for application announcements.
How is the project funded?
The $45-46 million project uses layered financing including federal and state tax credits, Housing Trust Fund subsidies, HOME program funds, DRI funds, and a Pro-Housing Communities grant.
Why was the project delayed from its original timeline?
Rising borrowing and construction costs since the project was announced around 2021 created an estimated $5 million financing gap. A $3 million state grant awarded in February 2025 helped close the gap and made the August 2026 groundbreaking possible.
Conclusion
The Governor Hochul Announces Start of Construction on 80-Unit Affordable Housing Development in Tupper Lake milestone represents a significant step forward for rural housing in New York’s North Country. The transformation of the long-vacant Oval Wood Dish Factory into 80 affordable apartments demonstrates how state investment, public-private partnerships, and community revitalization goals can align to address housing shortages in communities that need it most.
Actionable next steps:
- Prospective residents: Contact Housing Visions directly to express interest and prepare income documentation now, well before the summer 2027 pre-leasing window
- Local employers: Connect with developers about workforce housing needs and potential referral partnerships
- Community members: Attend Tupper Lake village board meetings for regular project updates and to voice support
- Follow progress: Monitor the Adirondack Explorer and New York State governor’s news page for construction milestones
The project’s completion by the end of 2027 will add much-needed affordable housing stock to Franklin County and serve as a model for industrial site redevelopment across rural New York. With 2,500-plus affordable homes already created or preserved in the North Country, this development strengthens the region’s housing infrastructure one building at a time.
