Image Credit: HPD.
The newly-constructed $70.5 million housing project is affordable, energy efficient, and provides housing and supportive services to formerly homeless families. On May 22, 2019, the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, Deputy Mayor for Housing Vicki Been, Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Louise Carroll, B&B Urban, L+M Development Partners and the Center for Urban Community Services announced the opening of a newly-constructed affordable housing development, Kingsbridge Heights Apartments, at 2700 Jerome Avenue in the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood of the Bronx. The 13-story development offers 135 residential units, over 1,200 square feet of ground floor retail space, 17 parking spaces and comes with several amenities for residents.
Kingsbridge Heights features a bedroom-mix of 32 studios, 35 one-bedroom, 45 two-bedroom, and 24 three-bedroom apartments. Most of the apartments are being offered to households earning at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income, with 25 residences set aside to households earning at or below 90 percent of the AMI. Forty of the residences are reserved for formerly homeless families. The Center for Urban Community Services will provide supportive services to the formerly homeless, including individual case management, mental health and substance abuse management, and educational and workforce development services.
Residents will have access to onsite amenities including a fitness room, a community room with computers and a children’s library, laundry facilities, and a landscaped rear yard with a children’s playground. The building is in an area that is well-served by public transit.
The building was designed with energy efficient features and complies with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)’s Multifamily Performance guidelines. Among the efficiency features are EnergyStar appliances, LED lighting and low-flow water fixtures, and 165 rooftop solar panel modules.
The housing project was financed as part of the New York State’s $20 billion, five-year Housing Plan which has brought investment of more than $1 billion to the Bronx since 2011, creating or preserving affordable housing to over 39,000 people. For this project, the State contributed $10.75 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds and federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and $27.2 million in equity generated via the Federal Solar Tax Credit. The New York State Homes and Community Renewal granted $15.5 million in subsidies and NYSERDA provided $160,000. HPD contributed $10.9 million in financing through its Extremely Low & Low-Income Affordability Program.
“Through Housing New York, the affordable housing we are producing at record pace is serving more of the city’s most vulnerable. This dynamic new development provides 135 households, including 40 formerly homeless families and individuals the opportunity and supportive services they need to thrive,” said NYC Deputy Mayor for Housing Vicki Been.
HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll said, “Through Housing New York, we are working to reach more of the lowest income New Yorkers as well as households struggling with homelessness. With the opening of Kingsbridge Heights Apartments, 136 families, including 40 formerly homeless New Yorkers, now have the stability and opportunity that an affordable home represents.”
City Council Member Fernando Cabrera said, “Today is a great day in New York City for affordable housing. The new Kingsbridge Heights Apartments is a stunning example of what we can accomplish when the city, state and private sector work together to end homelessness and provide quality affordable housing for New Yorkers. With a mix of unit sizes, and 30% of the apartments allocated to formerly homeless families, this new development features energy and water conserving technology, as well as supportive services, play area, parking and retail for residents. It has been well planned to be accessible to public transit, retail, parks, and other amenities. I’m proud to have this development in my district.”
By: Viktoriya Gray(Viktoriya is the CityLaw Fellow and New York Law School Graduate, Class of 2018).