Ithaca, NY (WENY)-- A brand new affordable housing apartment complex held its grand opening celebrations Tuesday morning in Ithaca.

West End Heights, located on 701 W. Court Street, was the creation of Lakeview Health Services, multiple New York State agencies, and Tompkins County.

The goal of the new complex is to have affordable housing for those that have a low income level, as well as help those with mental health issues and those who are homeless.

A ribbon cutting, which featured two residents, as well as CEO of Lakeview Health Services Dr. Harry Merryman, Assemblywomen Dr. Anna Kelles, and representatives New York State from the office of Housing and Community Renewal, Mental Health, and Temporary and Disability Services.

The idea for the new project started over ten years ago, and faced some hurdles in the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, Dr. Merryman says that this new building allows for Lakeview Health Services, which provides quality housing for those suffering from mental health issues across the Finger Lakes, to continue to do their mission, something Lakeview Health Services has been doing for over 40 years.

"We decided that several years ago, again about ten years ago, that in order for us to be able to do a better job of providing the kind of housing we feel that is appropriate for the folks that we serve," Merryman explained, "that we needed to build some housing, our own housing. And that's how that all started."

 Assemblywomen Dr. Anna Kelles, who represents Ithaca in the State Assembly, that this will allow those that are often overlooked by society, a place to be seen and seen as equals by those around them.

"This is a place that people can call home, people who need assisted living, people who are not always seen by society, who need to be held as equals and that to me was the most important piece." Kelles said.

For those that might be interested or know someone who might qualify, they can find more information on Lakeview Health Services website here.