Construction is underway on a 13-story affordable and supportive housing development at 1940 Jerome Ave. in the Mount Hope neighborhood of the Bronx. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.
This $81 million development, called La Olazul, will have 115 total housing units, 69 of which will be supportive apartments reserved for formerly homeless people who are dealing with mental illnesses or substance use disorders. These residents will have access to on-site support services, courtesy of Westhab, an organization that provides housing and services for the homeless.
In addition to the 69 supportive housing units, the other 46 will be affordable housing units, with plans to offer them to households earning up to 60% of the area median income. Another 8,500 square feet of the property will be dedicated to commercial space. General amenities at La Olazul include a laundry room, an outdoor terrace, an arts and music space, recreation areas and free broadband internet.
“I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered $3.4 million to help build La Olazul in The Bronx—a new development for 115 affordable apartments with access to support services and free broadband internet,” U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said. “I applaud Governor Hochul’s efforts to create and preserve affordable homes across the state, and I will continue working to deliver the federal resources needed for more affordable homes in the Bronx.”
Vaya Development and Westhab developed La Olazul. In an effort to reduce energy consumption and lower the building’s carbon footprint, La Olazul was designed to meet standards set by the Passive House Institute, an independent research institute that helped develop the Passive House concept, the only performance-based energy standard in construction that is recognized internationally. Among the energy-efficiency measures incorporated during this all-electric process were electric heat pumps, low-flow fixtures, efficient windows, energy star appliances and a green roof.
“Through this initiative, we are set to introduce 115 units of critically needed housing to the heart of the South Bronx,” Westhab President and CEO Richard Nightingale said. “Westhab is honored to collaborate with the team at Vaya Development and our government partners to make this state-of-the-art, eco-friendly and affordable residence a reality. We are committed to combating the housing scarcity and crisis gripping NYC in the South Bronx and beyond.”
Funding for the construction of this building is being provided by tax-exempt bond financing, tax credit equity provided by Enterprise Community Partners and public subsidies from the New York State Housing Finance Agency, New York State Homes and Community Renewal and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Supportive Housing Loan Program.
The VOREA Group and Monadnock Construction are doing the construction work on La Olazul. The building was designed by STAT Architecture PC.
