FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 28, 2021
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322
NEW YORK – Today, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) finalized a $60 million dollar deal that will bring 101 new affordable apartments to the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx through the upcoming groundbreaking of the Betances Family Apartments project.
Construction on the 101-unit Betances Family Apartments building at a site of a formerly vacant retail building at NYCHA's Betances VI campus is expected to begin next month. The development will include 70 units for extremely low- and low-income households, 30 units for formerly homeless households, and one superintendent’s unit.
The 15-story building, known as Betances Family Apartments, will be located on the corner of East 146th Street and Willis Avenue on NYCHA's Betances VI campus. The new building was designed by Think! Architecture and Design to create a modern, sustainable living environment for low-income families and individuals that also activates the community with ground floor retail. The building was developed by Lemle & Wolff Development Company, Alembic Community Development, and The Bridge. Lemle & Wolff will also serve as the project's general contractor and property manager. The Bridge, a local non-profit, will provide on-site supportive services to residents.
“Betances Family Apartments continues the successful partnership between NYCHA and HPD’s 100% Affordable program and is another example of what is possible when the City and its partners work together to support the vitality of neighborhoods like Mott Haven,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “I am grateful to all those involved in making this important project happen.”
“NYCHA is continually focused on leveraging all ways we can support the Authority's mission of increasing opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to gain access to safe and accessible housing,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “We are excited to continue the legacy of fostering affordable housing options in the South Bronx, and look forward to engaging with our partners and stakeholders on this dynamic project.”
“Since the start of the Administration, HPD has partnered with NYCHA to use our scarce City land to advance our shared goals of providing affordable housing and economic opportunity to all New Yorkers,” said HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll. “Betances VI will provide 101 deeply affordable homes and on-site supportive services for low-income New Yorkers, including those who have experienced homelessness. I want to thank NYCHA, Lemle & Wolff Development Company, Alembic Community Development, and The Bridge for their partnership on this dynamic project.”
“The transformation of NYCHA’s Betances campus through innovative public-private partnerships is wholly indicative of the Authority’s commitment to improving the quality of living conditions for our residents along with bringing much-needed resources in to our communities,” said NYCHA EVP of Real Estate Development Jonathan Gouveia. “Today’s financial closing on the development of additional affordable housing at Betances VI is part of that vision, and we are grateful to the many partners, city agencies, nonprofit entities, and stakeholders who made this possible.”
“Bringing more affordable housing to The Bronx is not only important, but will play a crucial role in our borough's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The addition of 101-units of affordable housing, for extremely low- and low-income households, as well as formerly homeless individuals and families, will give some of our most vulnerable Bronxites a place to call home. I am proud to have allocated $500k towards this much-needed project."
“The Betances Family Apartments will offer a NYCHA resident hiring plan as well as a job training through the HOPE Program in partnership with Sustainable South Bronx, which is why I am thrilled to have been able to help fund this project and look forward to seeing the development move forward,” said Council Member Diana Ayala “The Betances Family Apartment project will bring much-needed permanent affordable housing to the Mott Haven community. This is the type of development we need to prioritize, as we recover from our housing and economic crisis. I want to thank NYCHA, HPD, Lemle & Wolff, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. for their partnership in finalizing this project and bringing 101 units of affordable housing to the Mott Haven neighborhood.”
“We are incredibly proud to be part of a stellar team that will bring much needed quality, affordable and supportive housing for New Yorkers to Mott Haven,” said Michael McCarthy, Director at Alembic Community Development. “We are grateful to our co-developers, Lemle & Wolff Development and The Bridge, as well as our public and private partners and lenders: NYCHA, the New York City Housing Preservation Department, the National Equity Fund, the Bank of New York-Mellon, Sterling National Bank, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, Councilperson Diana Ayala, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.”
“We look forward to implementing the vision that so many stakeholders in the community have contributed to said Anivelca Cordova, Principal at Lemle & Wolff Companies. “Betances Family Apartments will provide an affordable housing anchor to Willis Avenue and the Mott Haven community. We’re thankful for our partnership with NYCHA, HPD, The Bridge, and Alembic Community Development and are thrilled to break ground on this exciting new project.
“The Bridge is excited to be part of this team that is addressing the affordable housing crisis in New York City including for homeless men and women with special needs”, said Carole Gordon, Sr. VP for Housing Development. “We applaud the support from the many funders, NYCHA, the New York City Housing Preservation Department, and the elected officials who made this project happen and look forward to opening the doors to the residents.”
The project will bring much-needed affordable housing to the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx and was developed in response to an extensive planning process for the site including a rezoning that was finalized in 2019. Building amenities at Betances Family Apartments will include a children’s playroom, bike storage, an outdoor green roof terrace, and 24/7 building security. The ground floor at Betances Family Apartments will feature approximately 10,000 gross square foot of commercial space designed to enhance the availability of quality retail spaces in The Hub, the busiest commercial district in the Bronx.
The Bridge will provide a range of on-site supportive services, including case management, benefits counseling, and linkages to community mental health, dental, and substance abuse services. These services will be available to all households residing at the Betances Family Apartments. Betances Family Apartments will feature 19 studio apartments, 44 one-bedroom apartments, 24 two-bedroom apartments, 13 three-bedroom apartments, as well as one three-bedroom superintendent apartment. Thirty apartments will be set aside for formerly homeless individuals in need of supportive services, and the remaining 70 apartments will be available to households earning at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income. Current NYCHA residents will be given preference for 18 of the apartments and will have the opportunity to apply for the apartments through HPD’s Housing Connect lottery system.
Permanent financing for the $60 million project includes a $9.2 million mortgage from Sterling National Bank, $14.7 million in HPD ELLA financing, $1 million in Reso A funds from Councilmember Diana Ayala, $500,000 in Reso A funds from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., $2.5 million award from Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, $5.7 million in Brownfields Tax Credit Equity, $24 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and $2.8 million in other sources.
About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) (“NYCHA” or the “Authority”) provides affordable housing to 380,299 authorized residents in over 177,611 apartments within 335 housing developments. NYCHA serves 359,593 authorized residents in over 168,100 apartments within 285 housing developments through the conventional public housing program (Section 9) and 20,706 authorized residents in 9,511 units within 50 developments that have been converted to PACT/RAD. Through federal rent subsidies (Section 8 Leased Housing Program), NYCHA also assists approximately 77,663 families in locating and renting units. In addition, NYCHA facilitates access to social services through a variety of programs.
For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/nycha, and for regular updates on NYCHA news and services, connect with us via www.facebook.com/NYCHA and www.twitter.com/NYCHA
About the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the nation's largest municipal housing preservation and development agency. Its mission is to promote quality housing and diverse, thriving neighborhoods for New Yorkers through loan and development programs for new affordable housing, preservation of the affordability of the existing housing stock, enforcement of housing quality standards, and educational programs for tenants and building owners. HPD is tasked advancing the goals of the City's housing plan" – a critical pillar of Your Home NYC, Mayor de Blasio's comprehensive approach to helping New Yorkers get, afford, and keep housing in these challenging times. For full details visit www.nyc.gov/hpd and for regular updates on HPD news and services, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @NYCHousing.