Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango County were joined by local officials in New Berlin to celebrate the completion of the renovations on the Red Mill Apartments.  

After 5.2 million dollars in renovations, the Red Mill Apartments on Corners Road in New Berlin, aimed at low to moderate-income tenants, are ready for move-in. 

As Chenango County is facing a housing crisis, officials say a makeover to these New Berlin apartments has been needed for years.

"It was the late 1980s, early 1990. It really had gone into a state of disrepair," CEO of Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango County Mark Silvanic said. "So being that it's in our county, you know, we thought it was a good idea to start here."

The State Office of Home and Community Renewal funded the entire project using Federal Community Development Block grant money.

The complex comprises of 9 family unity and nine 2 bedroom apartments. The renovations include upgraded heating, and exterior repairs.    And on site washers and dryers. 

New Berlin Town Supervisor Wendy Rifanburg says while it is a step in the right direction for the town - which is home to Chobani yogurt and Golden Paints- it isn't enough to solve the housing crisis. The next step for New Berlin is renovations to make homes available in the village.

"We hope we're improving every day. Little things like this down in the village, they're going to be doing some of the old housing that is going to be apartments available," Rifanburg said. 

Silvanic says the red-mill renovations show it is possible to rehabilitate old or dilapidated properties to address the county's housing needs.

"Low-income people are working hard. They're getting themselves out of poverty and good housing is a good start," Silvanic said. 

To qualify as a tenant, renters must make 80 percent or less than the area's median income.