Affordable Housing

September 12, 2022

NYC clears water for drinking at the Jacob Riis Houses after false alarm over arsenic results

Positive test results showing dangerous levels of arsenic in an East Village public housing complex were false. Environmental Monitoring and Technologies Inc., the testing firm that originally reported unsafe levels of arsenic at the Jacob Riis Houses, said there had been "trace levels" of arsenic introduced into the original testing samples analyzed on August 26, resulting in a false positive test, as Gothamist reported. The city on Saturday announced the tap water was cleared for drinking following new tests of the original water sample.
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September 6, 2022

Investigation underway after arsenic is found in water at East Village public housing complex

Residents of the Jacob Riis Houses in the East Village may have been exposed to water with dangerous levels of arsenic for more than a week without being notified by the city's public housing authority (NYCHA) until last Friday, as first reported by the non-profit news site, The City. While recent tests indicate there are no longer high levels of arsenic in the water, the public housing complex's roughly 2,600 residents still lack clean water. The federal monitor overseeing NYCHA opened an investigation this past weekend into the agency's actions surrounding the test results.
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August 30, 2022

Apply for 43 mixed-income units in the Bronx’s Morris Heights neighborhood, from $545/month

Applications are now being accepted for 43 mixed-income units at a new residential development in the Bronx. Located at 2 Mount Hope Place in Morris Heights, the 11-story apartment building offers residents affordable units and a variety of amenities. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, 90, and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $21,738 for a single person and $215,150 for a household of seven, can apply for the apartments, which range from $545/month for studios to $2,500/month for three bedrooms.
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August 18, 2022

Luxury Flatbush rental launches lottery for 26 middle-income units, priced from $2,100/month

A housing lottery opened for 26 middle-income units at a new residential development in Brooklyn. Located at 160 Clarkson Avenue, the building offers prospective tenants brand new, luxury apartments on the border of Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Flatbush, just a few blocks from Prospect Park. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $72,000 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, priced at $2,100/month for one-bedroom apartments and $2,500/month for two bedrooms.
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August 15, 2022

New bill would give non-profits priority to develop NYC-owned land over for-profit groups

A bill requiring the city to sell public land to non-profit developers ahead of for-profit organizations was introduced in the City Council last week. Sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, the legislation prioritizes the selection of community land trusts (CLT), community development corporations, or other non-profit groups during the bidding process for city-owned land, which the supporters say will ensure truly affordable housing will be built on the site.
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August 11, 2022

NYC may ban tenant criminal background checks by landlords and brokers

Legislation prohibiting landlords from denying tenants housing based on criminal history will be introduced in the New York City Council on Thursday. The "Fair Chance for Housing" bill, sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers, bans "landlords, owners, agents, employees, and real estate brokers" from obtaining arrest or criminal record information at any point in the housing process.
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August 4, 2022

Apply for 23 mixed-income units at new luxury rental in Sunnyside, from $1,197/month

Applications are now being accepted for 23 mixed-income units at a new luxury rental in Queens. Located at 50-11 Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside, Fifty11 is a nine-story mixed-use building with 75 units, comprised of a mix of studios, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. New Yorkers earning 80 and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $43,612 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, priced between $1,197/month for studios and $2,850/month for two bedrooms.
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August 1, 2022

463 affordable units available at luxury LIC rental with sweeping city views and a waterfront park

At a time when finding an affordable apartment in New York City feels impossible, here’s an opportunity to live in a luxury Long Island City building for less. A housing lottery has launched at Gotham Point, a two-tower mixed-use development in Hunter’s Point South with 1,132 apartments, a majority of which are priced below the market rate. After welcoming its first residents to the South tower this spring, the taller North tower is now accepting applications for 463 rent-stabilized rentals at 1-15 57th Avenue, Long Island City, NY. The 58-story building is open to New Yorkers earning between 30 percent and 165 percent of the area median income (AMI), or between $16,183 and $273,075 annually.*
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July 27, 2022

Affordable homeownership project will bring 26 new co-ops to a blighted Chelsea corner

A new affordable homeownership project, decades in the making, is underway at 201-207 7th Avenue in Chelsea. The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Council Member Erik Bottcher, and Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) on Tuesday joined community leaders and residents in a groundbreaking celebration for a project that will turn a neglected corner site located in one of Manhattan's most expensive neighborhoods into co-ops for low and moderate-income households.
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July 21, 2022

Apply for 160 affordable units at Bedford Union Armory complex in Crown Heights, from $465/month

Applications are now being accepted for 160 affordable units at a new rental in the Bedford Union Armory redevelopment in Brooklyn. Located at 1101 President Street in Crown Heights, the building offers residents brand new units and a prime location near Prospect Park. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income, or between $18,515 for a single person and $99,300 for a household of seven, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $465/month studios to $1,841/month three bedrooms.
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July 18, 2022

New affordable housing building in the Bronx has a rooftop greenhouse and aquaponic farm

A new housing development with more than 100 deeply affordable and supportive apartments, a rooftop greenhouse, and an aquaponic urban farming system officially opened last week. Located at 2865 Creston Avenue in Bedford Park, the project was developed by homeless services nonprofit Project Renewal. Bedford Green House includes social services for residents and amenities that center around healing through nature.
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July 12, 2022

Lottery opens for 224 units at OMA’s zig-zagging Greenpoint towers, from $1,437/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 224 middle-income units at a new residential development on the Brooklyn waterfront. Located within the Greenpoint Landing development, Eagle+West offers luxury homes, incredible views, high-end amenities, and unparalleled waterfront access. New Yorkers earning 80, 125, and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $51,840 for a single person and $206,875 for a household of seven, can apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,437/month for studios to $3,397/month for three bedrooms.
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July 11, 2022

22 middle-income units available at new luxury rental in Park Slope, from $2,300/month

Applications are currently being accepted for 22 middle-income units at a new development in Brooklyn. Located at 262 9th Street in Park Slope, The Deermar is an 11-story residential building offering tenants spacious units and modern amenities, like a landscaped rooftop and fitness center. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $78,858 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, can apply for the apartments, priced from $2,300/month studios to $3,344/month two bedrooms.
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July 1, 2022

Lottery opens for 32 low-income units designed for seniors in Hunts Point, from $1,487/month

A housing lottery launched this week for 32 low-income units at a new development in the Bronx. Located at 661 Manida Street in Hunts Point, the 8-story building offers seniors newly constructed residences and a variety of amenities. New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income, or between $54,343 for a single person and $85,440 for a household of two, are eligible to apply for the apartments, ranging from $1,487/month studios to $1,583/month one-bedrooms.
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June 30, 2022

55 middle-income units available at CetraRuddy’s new Downtown Brooklyn tower, from $2,307/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 55 middle-income units at a new residential development in Downtown Brooklyn. Located at 22 Chapel Street, the 20-story tower offers its residents a prime location at the intersection of Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Fort Greene Park, Boerum Hill, Barclays Center, and the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $79,098 for two people and $215,150 for a household of seven, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $2,307/month studios to $3,431/month three bedrooms.
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June 27, 2022

25 low-income units available at 14-story Mott Haven condominium, from $1,576/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 25 low-income units at a new residential development in the Bronx. Located in Mott Haven, 310 Grand Concourse is a 14-story condominium building with 150 total apartments. New Yorkers earning 80 percent of the area median income, or between $56,983 for a single person and $115,280 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,576/month studios to $2,002/month two-bedrooms.
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June 22, 2022

Lottery opens for 25 middle-income units on the Bushwick-Bed-Stuy border, from $2,499/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 25 middle-income units at a new development in Brooklyn. Located on the border of Bed-Stuy and Bushwick, 912 Broadway is an eight-story mixed-use building with 81 total apartments. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $85,680 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which include $2,499/month one-bedrooms and $2,999/month two-bedrooms.
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June 20, 2022

Lottery opens for 84 affordable units in the Bronx neighborhood of Williamsbridge, from $681/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 84 affordable units at a new rental in the Bronx. Located on East 211th and East 212th Streets between White Plains Road and Holland Avenue, Williamsbridge Gardens offers its residents a wide variety of amenities and services for low-income and formerly homeless households. New Yorkers earning 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent of the area median income, or between $26,229 for a single person and $132,400 for a household of seven, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $681/month one-bedrooms to $2,273/month three-bedrooms.
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June 17, 2022

177 mixed-income apartments available at 52-story Hudson Yards rental, from $1,399/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 177 mixed-income units at a new residential skyscraper in Manhattan. Located at 555 West 38th Street in Hudson Yards, Lyra offers its residents thoughtfully crafted apartments and an unparalleled collection of amenities. New Yorkers earning 70 and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $47,966 for a single person and $187,330 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,399/month studios to $3,397/month two-bedrooms.
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June 16, 2022

Adams outlines long-awaited plan to tackle NYC’s housing crisis

Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday finally released a plan to confront New York City's housing crisis.  The plan, titled Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness, addresses the city's range of housing problems with a focus on reforming NYCHA, expanding affordable homeownership opportunities, creating more units of supportive and affordable housing, and eliminating unnecessary administrative barriers to housing for homeless New Yorkers. But unlike many of the affordable housing plans released in recent years, Adams' plan does not set a clear goal for the number of new affordable housing units created.
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June 9, 2022

New Brooklyn Heights library opens at base of One Clinton luxury condo

The Brooklyn Public Library on Wednesday opened a new branch at 286 Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn Heights–the second-largest library in the system (Central Library is the largest). The 26,000-square-foot space will include a children's area, a teen library, a multipurpose room with a capacity of 225, public meeting rooms, and lots of spaces to enjoy a book or some quiet thoughts. Located within the base of a new luxury residential tower, the library is the result of an unusual redevelopment plan that also included $40 million in repairs throughout the library system and 100 new affordable apartments elsewhere in Brooklyn.
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June 9, 2022

Lottery opens for 235 mixed-income units at new Hudson Yards high-rise, from $690/month

Manhattan's largest rental development under construction launched a housing lottery this week for 235 mixed-income apartments. Located slightly south of Hudson Yards at 601 West 29th Street, the 60-story luxury high-rise is part of a two-building development known as 3ELEVEN. Developed by Douglaston Development and designed by FXCollaborative, the massive project includes 938 total apartments and more than 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities. Qualifying New Yorkers earning 40, 60, and 100 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, ranging from $690/month studios to $2,342/month two-bedrooms.
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June 8, 2022

Hochul signs law that unlocks New York’s underused hotel space for use as affordable housing

Gov. Kathy Hochul today signed a long-awaited bill that will relax the current rules for converting underutilized hotels into permanent housing. The new legislation allows for Class B hotels within–or within 400 feet of–residentially-zoned districts to operate as permanent residences. It also allows hotels which meet those criteria to be used for permanent housing if they enter into an agreement with the city or receive State financing, through the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA).
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June 7, 2022

57 affordable units available at new South Bronx rental, from $522/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 57 low-income units at a new residential building in the Bronx. Located at 3401 Third Avenue in Morrisania, the 10-story building, known as El Borinquen, is being developed by Comunilife, a non-profit that provides housing and health services to vulnerable residents. New Yorkers earning 40 and 60 percent of the area median income, or between $17,898 for a single person and $72,060 for a household of three, can apply for the apartments, which range from $522/month studios to $1,065 one-bedrooms.
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June 7, 2022

421-a tax break will continue to cost NYC revenue for decades after it expires, report finds

The 421-a tax abatement program, which gives real estate developers who construct new residential buildings a property tax exemption in exchange for designating a portion of the homes affordable, will expire on June 15 after state lawmakers last week did not renew it during the final day of this year's legislative session. Even with it set to lapse, the controversial program will continue to cost the city revenue for decades, according to a new report. According to findings published Monday by the Independent Budget Office of New York City, the tax abatement program will cost the city over $1 billion annually until 2034, with total costs not ceasing until the fiscal year 2056.
Details here