Devon Woods celebrates 20th anniversary

WARWICK — On Thursday, June 30, approximately 70 residents of Devon Woods, a senior affordable housing complex at one Crescent Avenue in Warwick, celebrated its 20th anniversary with a barbecue luncheon in the development's pavilion.
The well-maintained two-story Garden style complex, just off Grand Street, was the first such project built by Warwick developer Jonah Mandelbaum in 1996. Today his company, Devon Management, boasts having completed affordable senior and multi-family housing in 17 communities with approximately 2000 apartments throughout the area. The closest to Devon Woods in Warwick is Liberty Green, just across the road, which was completed in 2011. And there are five more developments on the way.
Prior to Devon Woods, Mandelbaum had built hundreds of custom homes. But in the early 1990s he learned there was a serious need for affordable senior housing, which, as baby boomers reach retirement, is even more urgent today.
"Joe Rampe was the Warwick Supervisor at that time," said Mandelbaum. "He and some other officials mentioned that the senior population was growing rapidly and that Warwick, where homes were raising in value at that time, needed housing that would be affordable enough to allow them to live here. They asked me to find a solution. I built Devon Woods 20 years ago and that need is now greater than ever."
There are six original residents still living at Devon Woods. And in honor of the anniversary, they were recently surprised with a free month's rent.
"I moved in here immediately after I retired," said Joan Roche. "And I've loved it ever since."
In 2011 Jonah Mandelbaum, accepted the highest award, "Upstate Project of the Year," for his recently completed New Windsor development. The prestigious award is presented by the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH), the official trade organization for New York's affordable housing industry statewide.
"It's been a great mission to build affordable housing in this area," said Mandelbaum. "And we will continue to do so."
- Roger Gavan