Chinatown’s low-income senior building is taking applications for the first time in 25 years

The 13-story, 88-unit rental building for low-income seniors at 96 Baxter Street in Chinatown has opened its waiting list to new applicants this week for the first time in 25 years (h/t Lo-Down). Only people aged 62 and older (over 18 if they are mobility impaired) can apply. The units rent for 30 percent of one’s annual income; studios are available to those earning less than $33,400 a year and one-bedroom to those earning less than $38,200. The waitlist originally contained over 3,000 names, a number which now stands at only a handful. Among the building’s current tenants, two are reportedly 108 years old. The youngest residents are about 85.

Joining Chung Pak as they re-open their wait list for low income senior housing. The need for quality sen housing is more pressing than ever pic.twitter.com/ggZPntfeW1

— Margaret S. Chin (@CM_MargaretChin) August 22, 2017

Chung Pak Local Development Corp. held a news conference to announce the re-opening of the list for the building that is managed through their elderly housing branch, Everlasting Pine HDFC. Present were Chung Pak LDC’s acting chairman Sherman Eng and Director of Operations Jacky Wong as well as board members and community leaders. Also present were City Council member Margaret Chin and Chinese American Planning Council founder Virginia Kee.

In the early 1980s the neighborhood saw protests against the Koch administration’s plan to build a jail on the site. Though the jail was constructed, a portion of land was set aside for the low-income senior building, which is supported by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 202 senior supportive housing program.

Applications are available at the building, or can be requested by mail at Everlasting Pines HDFC, 96 Baxter St. New York, NY, 10013 and must be postmarked by September 5th. There is currently one vacancy in the building, a one-bedroom unit.

[Via The Lo-down]

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