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The Partial Observer by Christine M. Nealon
Solstice Commons—a Thoughtful Step Forward for Oneonta
The standing-room-only turnout at the September 20th Planning Commission meeting shows just how deeply our neighbors care about the future of Oneonta, especially the safety and character of the Sixth Ward. At Rehabilitation Support Services, we share those same values. For more than 40 years, our mission has been to create safe, stable neighborhoods where individuals and families can thrive. Solstice Commons is another step in that direction.
What Solstice Commons Is—and Is Not
Solstice Commons is a proposed 61-unit housing community at 164 River Street, on a parcel owned by RSS and zoned appropriately for this type of building. It is designed to provide both affordable and supportive housing in a way that blends with, and complements, the existing neighborhood. It is not a shelter, nor is it a treatment facility. It is high-quality, professionally managed, code-compliant, and thoughtfully designed housing that will strengthen our community.
Who Will Live Here
Tenants who make 30–70 percent of the area median income and some individuals living with Serious Mental Illness will call Solstice Commons, Home. By definition, SMI refers to any diagnosis that can disrupt daily life, such as major depression. With proper support, individuals with SMI live independently, work, and contribute fully to their communities. Nationally, about 15 million adults, or 6 percent of the U.S. population, live with an SMI (NIMH).
Importantly, tenants at Solstice Commons would not be strangers to Oneonta. They already work here, raise families, and contribute to our schools, businesses, and neighborhoods. With the stability of affordable housing and on-site support, they can and will maintain wellness and continue to thrive.
To understand why this matters, imagine this scenario. You’re working full time and feeling on top of life. Then you lose a loved one, and grief begins to weigh you down. Slowly, relationships strain, your focus at work falters, and bills start piling up. Eventually, an eviction notice arrives on your door. Unsure where to turn, you walk into RSS’s Mountain View Wellness Center, where you’re welcomed, listened to, and supported. Over time, you discover that untreated depression was the root of your struggle. With care and a wellness plan, you regain stability. Housing that is affordable at your income gives you the foundation to recover, return to work and live in the community with purpose.
This is what supportive housing looks like: neighbors finding strength and partnering toward a thriving Oneonta.
The City of Oneonta’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan set a clear goal: “increase the variety and affordability of housing choices for all ages and incomes.” Solstice Commons directly advances this vision. It is a local solution to a local challenge.
A Transparent and Collaborative Approach
In developing this project, we have listened closely to neighbors. In response to feedback, the building was shifted to the northeast corner of the parcel to preserve natural forest buffers. Its scale reflects the surrounding neighborhood. Parking meets city standards, with banked spaces and bike racks built in. Traffic will flow safely from West Broadway rather than River Street. These changes reflect a commitment to demonstrating we are, and will continue to be, good neighbors.
The safety of both tenants and the neighborhood is a top priority. Solstice Commons will be staffed 24/7, ensuring consistent support and accountability. All tenants will be deemed eligible through rigorous screening consistent with state and federal Fair Housing Regulations. The building will be professionally managed, with property management and supportive housing staff working side by side to maintain a stable, well-run community.
Stable housing is the foundation for so many positive outcomes: workforce retention, family stability and community health. Affordable housing does not mean the neighborhood is unsafe or that children in neighboring schools must be afraid of “those people.” On the contrary, it prevents homelessness, reduces strain on emergency systems, and facilitates full community participation for all residents.
RSS has successfully developed and managed similar communities across the state. Each is uniquely designed to fit the need and character of the respective community, and Solstice Commons is no exception. With diverse funding including the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, it will bring millions of dollars in private investment to strengthen infrastructure and create jobs. Solstice Commons will also invest in water, sewer, and other critical systems while creating housing stability for residents.
An Asset to our Community
Solstice Commons is more than just bricks and mortar. It is an investment in Oneonta’s future and in the values we all hold dear: dignity, community, and mutual care. RSS has been part of this community for more than 40 years, and we are committed to being good neighbors for the next 40 and beyond.
We invite our neighbors to see Solstice Commons as a thoughtful step forward for Oneonta, built on shared values and a vision for a stronger, more inclusive community, and we look forward to working together to make this essential project a reality.
Christine M. Nealon is director of strategic partnerships for Rehabilitation Support Services Inc.
