March 22, 2021

Breaking Ground at Compass Six

This past Friday, we ground at Compass Six, the final phase of Compass Residences, a large-scale development in the Crotona and West Farms neighborhoods of the Bronx. When the final phase is complete, the entire development will include nearly 1,400 affordable homes, a new school, offices, an urgent care facility, and more. 75% of the homes will serve families of three earning less than $61,000 and nearly 300 homes are set aside for formerly homeless New Yorkers.

Compass Residences exemplifies the kind of projects we’re committed to pushing through now under Your Home NYC—the Mayor’s comprehensive approach to helping New Yorkers get, afford, and keep their homes—deals that not only benefit residents but also strengthen the whole community with housing, infrastructure and jobs.

Topping Off Beach 21st Street

Last month, we celebrated the topping off of Beach 21st affordable housing development in Far Rockaway, Queens. This transformational project, developed by The Community Builders and in coordination with many City agencies, will activate a previously underutilized City-owned lot to create 224 affordable homes for a wide range of New Yorkers, including those experiencing homelessness. The project, adjacent to a new pedestrian plaza, will also include restaurant space, a culinary job training program, and early childhood center.

Strengthening Our Design Guidelines

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, HPD worked with the City’s Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity and the wider affordable housing community to issue revised Design Guidelines that promote equity, health, and sustainability in the City’s newly constructed affordable housing developments. New HPD Design Guidelines call for high-speed broadband for all residents, air conditioners in every habitable room, enhanced ventilation to improve air quality, energy efficiency to reduce the City’s carbon footprint, and more outdoor space for residents.

As the City works towards a recovery for all New Yorkers, strengthening design requirements and recommendations for HPD’s affordable housing development—including senior and supportive housing—can address these disparities in a significant way. Learn more on HPD’s New Construction Design webpage.

Exploring New Shared Equity Models

Last week, HPD, EDC, and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Office of Financial Empowerment (DCWP-OFE) issued a Shared Equity Request for Information (RFI) seeking information about new models of shared equity housing and economic development. We’re looking for new ways to stabilize low-income and marginalized communities, while also providing long-term residents with opportunities to build wealth and participate in sustainable ownership.

Interested parties can apply for the Shared Equity RFI online by June 9, 2021 at 4:00pm. With the information gathered from this RFI, HPD expects to release a subsequent Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) or Request for Proposal (RFP).

Updating our Term Sheets

We’ve refined the term sheets for our supportive and senior housing programs to ensure they’re serving our most vulnerable New Yorkers. HPD has also created a new Housing Preservation Opportunities term sheet that capitalizes on Article XI to help owners manage operating costs and maximize affordability. See all of our term sheets.

Getting our Frontline Staff Vaccinated!

While the COVID-19 crisis has disrupted so many lives, housing disasters – like fires and structurally unsound buildings, lack of heat and electricity, and falling ceilings – never stopped here in our city. The work of our enforcement teams took on even more meaning as New Yorkers sheltered at home, and we intervened to protect tenants and support owners, particularly the most vulnerable.

As of March 17th, frontline workers like our inspectors are finally eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. We are thrilled and relieved that the State has expanded eligibility to public-facing government, non-profit, and building service workers. This critical measure will help ensure the safety of both our staff and the New Yorkers we serve, and it may also be applicable to many of our nonprofit partners working with us to provide critical services during this time.

The vaccine is also now available to all new Yorkers 60 years of age and older. Eligible New Yorkers schedule an appointment by calling 877-VAX4-NYC or visiting vax4nyc.nyc.gov. Homebound New Yorkers in need of an in-home vaccination should fill out the City's interest form to learn more.

Best,

Louise Carroll
HPD Commissioner