NYCHA Opens 49-Unit Supportive Housing in the Bronx
The New York City Housing Authority has opened a mixed-use, mixed-income development.
Bronx, N.Y.—The New York City Housing Authority, along with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development and Enterprise Community Partners Inc., has opened 1070 Washington Ave., a 49-unit, mixed-income and supportive housing development in the Morrisania section of the Bronx.
Developed on a formerly vacant lot, 1070 Washington Ave. consists of 16 studios, 11 one-bedroom units, 20 two-bedroom units, and one three-bedroom unit, with a total of 21 apartments set aside for families on NYCHA’s waiting list and another 10 for individuals with special needs, such as veterans and formerly homeless individuals with a history of mental illness. The studio units are accessible for either the mobility or hearing impaired.
“One of the main goals of NextGeneration NYCHA is diversifying what public housing looks like, while encouraging economic diversity through safe, clean, and connected communities,” Shola Olatoye, NYCHA’s chair & CEO, said. “The 21 NYCHA units at Bronx Pro’s La Preciosa will expand much-needed affordable and supportive housing in the South Bronx, while providing long-term housing to families currently on the public housing waiting list.”
The energy-efficient building meets LEED for Homes Gold Certification and Enterprise Green Communities criteria, thanks to a robust envelope design comprised of both exterior and interior cavity insulation, ample roof insulation, fiberglass windows, 90 percent efficient condensing boilers, high efficiency PTACs, rooftop solar thermal installation, and super-insulated tanks to store preheated water.
Additionally, the building has low-flow, high quality plumbing fixtures; high-efficiency fluorescent lighting with occupancy sensors to reduce electricity consumption; rooftop fans; and low VOC paints, primers, adhesives, and sealants.
“1070 Washington Ave., reflects the Bronx Pro mission and comprehensive approach to address the needs of our community through sustainable housing development,” said Samantha Magistro, Bronx Pro Group’s managing director. “Our public/private partnership with city, state and elected officials, along with our joint venture partner, Services for the UnderServed, enables us to meet our goal to safely and beautifully house vulnerable New Yorkers, especially those with special and supportive health needs. We approach all of our developments with a long term vision of making the building sustainable and to provide a healthy and environmentally friendly footprint.”
Building amenities include solar thermal panels, a green roof, a backyard to be landscaped with a playground in 2016, a laundry room and a service office.
All apartments are made available to low-income families and individuals earning no more than $46,620 for a family of three. Income levels for this project are set according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2015 calculations.
“To solve New York’s affordable housing crisis and address NYCHA’s financial needs, we need innovative solutions that leverage limited public funds with private capital,” said Judi Kende, Enterprise Community Partners’ vice president and New York market leader. “1070 Washington Ave. does precisely that and is a model for addressing the critical housing needs of the most vulnerable New Yorkers.”
