As the city continues to face a shortage of affordable housing options for it residents, New York City has been looking for creative ways to create more options. While some developers are including affordable housing options within their larger developments, the city has also been looking at ways to transform the lots that it owns into affordable living options. To that end, here is a look at a couple of affordable housing developments that are currently in the early stages of development along with a completed development that is currently accepting applications through its lottery system for affordable housing units.
Hell’s Kitchen Sites to be Transformed to Affordable Housing
In an effort to address the city’s ongoing need for affordable housing, the city is reportedly considering developing two Hell’s Kitchen sites into mixed-used affordable housing developments. The city-owned sites, located at 806 Ninth Avenue and 705 Tenth Avenue, are under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) has put in a request to transform the two sites, which are part of the overall Hudson Yards development, into affordable housing.
Together, the two sites span 43,000 square feet, with the Ninth Avenue location covering 21,500 square feet and the Tenth Avenue site measuring 22,220 square feet. Currently being used by the New York City Transportation Authority for parking, the Ninth Avenue site would offer affordable housing as well as 30,000 square feet of office space, below-grade parking for the MTA and ground floor retail space. Meanwhile, the Tenth Avenue site, which is currently vacant, would include a public bathroom in addition to affordable housing. Plans also call for developing open space next to the site.
The city has received criticism in recent years for failing to do enough to transform vacant city-owned lots into affordable housing. In response, the de Blasio administration has initiated plans for 66 projects across 200 public sites since January 2014. Together, these plans will create 10,800 affordable units in the city. Developers have until July 13 to submit their proposals for this latest project in Hell’s Kitchen.
Lottery for Affordable Housing Launched
ODA New York’s Bushwick rental at 10 Montieth Street has 100 affordable studios, one-, and two-bedroom units available through the lottery system. Altogether, the seven-story building boasts 392 apartments sharing a number of amenities. These amenities include a package room, a mail room and a laundry room. For an additional charge, residents can also access a fitness center, climbing wall, children’s playroom, yoga/dance studio, screening room, sauna, rooftop garden with grilling stations and an interior courtyard.
The 32 affordable studios available at the development will be available for $913 per month, while the 54 one-bedroom units will be available for $980 per month. The 14 two-bedroom units will be available for $1,183 per month. The units will be available to individuals and families earning between $33,189 and $62,580 per year depending upon the size of the household and the apartment size.