Rochester, NY – Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Rochester Mayor Malik Evans announced a groundbreaking $13 million investment to expand affordable homeownership opportunities in the Upper Falls neighborhood, marking a significant moment in the city's real estate development landscape. The First Genesis Baptist Church development initiative will construct 22 new single-family homes designed to serve households earning 50-60% of the area median income.
The First Genesis Single Family Homes project, which broke ground in November 2025, represents a collaborative effort between First Genesis Baptist Church's newly formed development arm, Rochester Management Inc., and design firm Passero Associates. Atlas Construction is handling the building work on this historically significant development.
Of the 22 homes being constructed, 11 will be two-story, three-bedroom homes with full basements, while the remaining 11 will feature two- and three-bedroom ranch-style designs. Importantly, three homes will be ADA-compliant with roll-in showers, grab bars, and accessible kitchen features, ensuring the project meets the needs of residents with disabilities.
The homes are located in the historically redlined neighborhood off Hudson Avenue and Upper Falls Boulevard, an area that has long been underserved by community investment. The project specifically targets households earning between 50-60% of the area median income, making homeownership attainable for working families.
This transformative initiative is backed by a comprehensive funding structure combining state, local, and federal resources. According to the Rochester Business Journal, the $13 million project includes:
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello emphasized the importance of housing investment: "When we invest in housing, we're investing in our people. This is hope, this is our future, one family at a time."
First Genesis Baptist Church's development initiative represents an emerging trend in Rochester real estate development. The church created First Genesis Development Corp. (FGDC), a separate nonprofit entity dedicated to economic development in the neighborhood. According to Rochester Business Journal reporting, this model has proven successful in other upstate New York communities, particularly Buffalo, where faith-based housing development is commonplace.
Pastor Fredrick Johnson Sr., who leads the 50-year-old Hudson Avenue landmark ministry, has extended the church's mission beyond traditional services. "The church brings consistency and perseverance," Johnson said at the project announcement. "It allows people to trust that the leadership will do what the leadership says it will do."
Rochester Management Inc., which has operated in Rochester since 1949, has prior experience with faith-based housing partnerships. The organization previously collaborated with Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church to build Zion Hill Apartments on Dr. Samuel McCree Way in 2022.
The First Genesis project is framed as more than construction—it's positioned as wealth-building for working families. Johnson emphasized the connection to homeownership and generational prosperity: "The American dream has not changed; it starts for anybody with homeownership."
The initiative addresses a critical gap in Rochester's housing market. According to reporting from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, the Upper Falls neighborhood has historically experienced disinvestment despite its potential. This development represents a coordinated effort to reverse that trend.
Scott Procious, President and CEO of Rochester Management Inc., stated: "We are proud to be part of such a transformative project — one that will provide 22 families the opportunity to experience homeownership, an achievement that may have otherwise remained out of reach. This initiative is a powerful example of what can be accomplished through collaboration."
The housing development is just the beginning of First Genesis Development Corp.'s ambitions. According to the Rochester Business Journal, FGDC is already working to finalize funding for a second major project: First Genesis Apartments, which will add another 106 residential units to the neighborhood. Construction on this expansion project is expected to begin in spring 2026.
Pastor Johnson summarized the broader vision: "The goal is not just to build homes, it's to build families and communities."
This project signals growing opportunity in Rochester's affordable housing sector. The collaborative model—combining church partnerships, nonprofit developers, and private construction firms—demonstrates a viable pathway for executing community-focused development. Local contractors and builders working with Rochester Management and similar organizations may find increasing opportunities in this growing segment of the market.
The 22 homes are being constructed with the intention of becoming available for qualified buyers. The project represents the type of housing opportunity increasingly sought by Rochester-area workforce families and those participating in affordable housing programs.
Sources: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (November 12, 2025), Rochester Business Journal (November 13, 2025)
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