A Big Heart 

Some 25-years ago, real estate developer Kenneth Kearney, earned himself a moniker not usually heard: “A Businessman with a Big Heart.” He was given the nickname by the town supervisor while he was building affordable housing for seniors. He managed to keep the space rent-friendly for seniors, something that other developers were not considering.

Kearney developed an interest in real estate at a young age. When he was 19, Kearney was working in an Irish pub that he and his dad owned. There was a customer that would come in who had a lifestyle that Kearney admired. Kearney asked the person what he did for a living. The answer: He was in real estate. Kearney asked for a job. At first the response was no, but Kearney persisted and got a job at the man’s real estate firm. Kearney was interested in buying and selling real estate. He started by buying a single-family home and business took off from there. In 1996, he founded the Kearney Realty & Development Group, Inc., a specialized real estate development, construction, and property management firm located in Somers, New York. The firm currently specializes in innovative, affordable, mixed-income, and downtown revitalization developments. One of the projects undertaken by the Kearney Group was the revitalization of downtown Peekskill through the Downtown Renovation Initiative. 

“Peekskill has a base of artists in the community,” explains Kearney. “We built affordable artist’s lofts in a building with middle-class and market value spaces. Peekskill won $10 million from the state to revitalize downtown. Our project brought more attention to Peekskill.” 

Kearney is known for creating buildings with affordable units mixed in with those that are market value. How does he do it and what is the difference between the units? “We make the affordable units exactly the same as the others, same finishes, everything. We want everyone living there to have the same experience,” says Kearney. “We use tax incentives and subsidies. That is what makes it doable.” 

Helping others who need assistance is an important value for Kearney, something that is reflected in his business. In addition to his efforts to create affordable housing, in 2014 Kearney committed that all future projects be LEEDS certified — a set of standards for environmental sustainability in buildings. 

Kearney met CHHOP CEO, Cynthia Knox and some of the board members earlier this year. He visited the CHHOP facility and saw first-hand the work being done there. “If they don’t do this work, who will?” he asks. Kearney was recently invited to participate in a food drive for Fred’s Pantry, but was unable to attend, so instead he sent a very generous check. “Cynthia Knox, the CHHOP staff and board do God’s work. We wish them well and much success. Their work is more important now than ever.”