History

MHA was established by the NYS Housing Act, becoming one of the first five housing authorities in the Nation.

Construction of our first family housing complex was completed. It was comprised of 199 units located in a prime East Utica neighborhood.

Construction of a second family housing complex is complete. This development had 92 units and was built directly next door to Adrean Terrace.

At the same time as N.D. Peters Manor's construction, Humphrey Garden was built in a prime North Utica neighborhood, consisting of 108 family units.

Construction is completed in the South Side of Utica on a complex consisting of 190 family units.

Washington Courts are built.

This family development is completed on the east end of Adrean Terrace and consists of 67 units. This is now the third family housing complex located in one area in East Utica.

Goldbas Apartments are complete.

Construction of our first senior housing site took place right in the heart of downtown Utica. It consists of two twin towers, 54 units each, and is the current home of the Central Offices for People First.

Another senior housing complex was built in the heart of downtown Utica, right across the street from Chancellor Park. This complex was built as a state funded senior housing complex.

A third senior housing complex is built in downtown Utica. This is the smallest of our three senior sites with 50 units.

​With this construction we ventured out of the typical housing developments where all the units are located on site. With the duplexes, we built five (2 unit) duplex homes scattered throughout the center of Utica. These duplex were designed to blend in with the surrounding community.

This is a Not-for-Profit 501c3 that MHA established for the development of replacement units and new housing opportunities for home ownership and renovated housing in Utica's most distressed Cornhill neighborhood.

First phase of the HOPE VI Project was completed with 27 non-public housing units

Second phase of HOPE VI Project completed with 49 residential rental housing units.

The Goldbas Homes are demolished.

People First completed the construction and sale of 11 Replacement Housing Factor Single-Family Homes.

The Washington Courts units are demolished.

This was a housing unit that already existed that we took over and renovated. It consists of 9 studio units. It was originally the West Utica Boys Club.

Third phase of HOPE VI Project completed with 33 residential rental housing units.

Energy Performance Contract #1.

Our award winning AmeriCorps Program is initiated.

Energy Performance Contract #2.

The fourth phase of the HOPE VI Project was completed with 40 single-family homeownership units constructed in the HOPE VI development area.

The Hope VI Revitalization Grant was completed, which resulted in the creation of 109 affordable housing rental units and 51 homeownership units.

An Education Center is built in conjunction with Mohawk Valley Community College to offer local resident training in home renovation, construction skills & lead safe practices.

Rehabilitation is complete on 48 owner occupied units for the elderly and disabled in the HOPE VI target, with funding from Oneida County, the State of NY Empire State Dev, City of Utica HOME program, Weatherization Assistance and in kind funds and NYSDHCR HOME Program.

12 new affordable housing units are built at Humphrey Gardens.

A new philosophy and a new approach to housing: No longer just a key. People come first.

The vacant "F" building in F.X. Matt Apartments is renovated into five one bedroom accessible units of affordable housing for the disabled.

Construction is complete on seven homeownership units on the former Lincoln School site in West Utica.

Construction begins on the Roosevelt Residence development.

RAD process begins.

Today, People First offers 12 different affordable housing properties and opportunities, including Section 8 properties, apartments for rent, houses for rent, low-income family housing units, disabled and senior housing, and student housing.