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LEED-Certified Multifamily Complex to House Formerly Homeless
Published: October 01, 2007
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By Kelly Sheehan, Online News Editor
New York—The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Common Ground, a non-profit organization committed to ending homelessness through the development of supportive housing, broke ground last week on what is expected to be New York’s first supportive housing development to obtain a silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program.
Located at 133 Pitt Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, The Lee will provide 263 apartments as well as social services for the formerly homeless, low-income workers and young adults at risk for homelessness. The project is expected to be completed by late 2008. On-site supportive services will be provided by the Center for Urban Community Services and The Door, an affiliate of University Settlement House.
Designed by Kiss +Cathcart Architects, the complex will incorporate sustainable and energy-efficient design, construction, operation and maintenance practices. Its green features will include a high-performance condensing boiler; drought-resistant landscaping; individual temperature control; water-saving fixtures; high-efficiency lighting; and a green roof.
Scheduled for completion by the end of 2008, the 99,000-sq.-ft. community is named for Lee Larson, president of the Larson Family Foundation. In addition to a major contribution by the foundation, the project was funded through tax-exempt bonds from New York City’s Housing Development Corp. and a letter of credit enhancing the bonds provided by J.P Morgan. Other sources of financing include HPD, the New York State Homeless Housing Assistance Corp., the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, the New York City Council, HSBC Bank USA, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). Funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority as well as private funds raised by Common Ground, will help the cost of the project’s green elements.
The total development budget for The Lee is $59 million. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, a one-time investment of less than four percent of initial costs can increase energy efficiency over standard building code practices by up to 30 percent. Through reduced water usage and energy savings alone, Common Ground projects a minimum of 20 percent in utility savings.
