NYCHA plans senior housing development in Mott Haven

NYCHA plans senior housing development in Mott Haven
Photo courtesy of New York City Housing Authority

A proposed NYC Housing Authority development is slated for Mott Haven in the near future.

On Thursday, May 5, the NYCHA announced a plan to develop three affordable residential buildings in the city, including Mill Brook Terrace, a project that will provide senior housing.

The proposed nine-story development, which will be located within the Mill Brook Houses complex at East 135th Street between St. Ann’s and Cypress avenues, will provide 156 new affordable units for low-income seniors.

Currently an accessory parking lot, the property will include a ground floor senior community center, a commercial kitchen, a large dining room, neighborhood community space and activity rooms for senior programming.

Other features planned for the development include a roof-top garden, terraced walls and a public garden area with seating for seniors.

Proposed sustainable features include energy efficient windows as well as provision for recyclable and organic composting.

Approximately 30% of the apartments will be set-aside for supportive housing, while 42% of the apartment units will require a 60% area median income, which is about $43,500 per year for a family of two or $38,100 for an individual.

The Bronx site’s developer is West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, a non-profit organization with over 40 years of experience in developing, managing and providing social services to seniors living in Manhattan and the Bronx, and is the largest provider of senior housing and services in Mott Haven.

According to NYCHA, the deal with WSFSSH is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, with construction beginning in 2017. The ultimate goal is to have the development leased up with new tenants moving into the building sometime in 2019.

“The selected proposal is incredibly strong and greatly reflects the community conversations we have had with residents in the past,” said NYCHA chair and CEO Shola Olatoye.

“Housing New York requires city agencies to work more collaboratively and creatively than ever before to find bold solutions to the affordability crisis we currently face,” said Vicki Been, commissioner of HPD.

“I congratulate WSFSSH on their designation and we look forward to working together to create high-quality developments that strengthen the fabric of this neighborhood,” Been added.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to build on our 40-year track record of providing affordable housing and social services for seniors,” said Paul Freitag, executive director of WSFSSH. We look forward to working closely with NYCHA and the local community to create a development that will enhance the lives of low-income seniors throughout the south Bronx.”

Along with Mill Brook Terrace, NYCHA also announced senior developments at the Van Dyke Houses in Brownsville Brooklyn as well as the Ingersoll Houses in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Reach Reporter Steven Goodstein at (718) 260-4599. E-mail him at sgoodstein@cnglocal.com.