The long-awaited creation of a new affordable housing complex for seniors appears to be one step closer to reality, with project officials recently estimating that they should be closing the deal on the property by the end of the year.
While officials involved with the proposed $29 million, 96-unit affordable senior housing complex project estimate that it’s still at least two years away from completion— with construction yet to start—the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development (DHPD), recently gave the project its approval to proceed, according to a letter dated Nov. 7.
DHPD’s approval was necessary before the proposed housing complex could move into the design or construction stages.
The project is being managed by Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens—which is part of a nationwide nonprofit network made up of 163 agencies that provides social services such as affordable housing, food pantries, and adoption services, among others.
The state contracted the nonprofit in 2009 to convert the building and 3.4 acre property on 155-55 Cross Bay Boulevard, formerly used as a center for people with disabilities, into apartments for low-to- moderate income seniors ages 60 and up.
According to Monsignor Alfred LoPinto, vicar for Human Services for Catholic Charities and pastor of St. Helen’s Church in Howard Beach, it appears the state will join the nonprofit at the closing table by month’s end, allowing construction to begin.
However, LoPinto added, there are still several fine points being worked out. “We are still crossing all the ‘t’s and dotting all the ‘i’s,” he said.
According to John Tynan, director of the nonprofit’s Progress of Peoples Development Corporation, several financial documents were still being prepared for the closing of the center’s deal.
Nonprofit officials say that once the deal closes, construction is expected to take roughly two years, which would mean the apartment complex could be finished by late 2014.
Funding for the $29.4 million project came about through $18.8 million that Catholic Charities obtained through tax credits funding from former Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer, City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) and Queens Borough Hall President Helen Marshall.
Approximately $7.1 million was provided from grants, loans and state subsidies. The remaining $3.5 million was paid for through $1 million in capital funding—approved by the City Council in June—$1.5 million allocated by DHPD and another $1 million from Borough President-allocated city capital funds.
In recent years, Pheffer said the major holdup with the project revolved around getting the funding from city and state sources to fix problems at the building—such as findings of mold and asbestos—in a time where the economy was struggling.
Both LoPinto and Tynan credited Ulrich and Speaker Christine Quinn for helping the project get closer to fruition via city funds.
“Both (Ulrich and Quinn) really helped project along and helped close the gap,” said Tynan.
“The City Council was essential in bringing us one step closer to the closing,” LoPinto told The Forum on Tuesday.
State Assemblyman Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens), who has followed the project closely, said that the process in transferring the property from the state, its previous owner, to Catholic Charities became complicated due to miscommunication with DHPD and the city’s Economic Develop- ment Corporation (EDC) over who was supposed to approve the property transfer first.
Noting that both departments had since worked out those details, Addabo said building the affordable senior housing complex was a big step in addressing the problem of finding seniors reasonably priced, local living quarters.
In addition, Addabbo said he hoped that more jobs for local building companies and residents would be generated via the construction and post-construction work on the project.
“If only 200 jobs are created, that would still be 200 more local jobs for people in the local community,” Addabbo said.
One half of the 96 rental housing units at the Cross Bay Boulevard complex will accommodate seniors in Howard Beach, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Tudor Village, and Lindenwood. Details on the application process and lottery selection for seniors who want to live in the apartments will be announced near the end of the complex’s construction.
Brooklyn-based Monadnock Construction will be overseeing the construction of the housing complex, which will include 10 two-bedroom units on the first floor set aside for seniors with adult children suffering from physical and/or mental disabilities, LoPinto said. The rest of the apartments will consist of studios or one bedroom apartments.
In addition, Catholic Charities will be providing services and activities such as senior counseling and lunch programs for apartment residents. However, Tynan pointed out, the focus of the complex would be to encourage or support seniors trying to live independently.
“It’s the opposite of a nursing home, but if people need help, we can provide some of the services they need,” he said.
In press statements, Ulrich and Quinn expressed their support of the project, while highlighting the importance of bringing in affordable housing for seniors to the local community.
“Our seniors deserve the opportunity to stay in their own neighborhood without having to worry about increased property taxes and rising utility rates forcing them to move,” Ulrich stated. “I have made getting this project started a top priority since taking office because I want to make sure that our seniors can look forward to their golden years knowing that there will be a safe and affordable place they can still call home.”
“The City Council is leading the way in the creation of affordable housing for older New Yorkers,” Quinn stated. “I was proud to work with Catholic Charities and council member Ulrich on this important project. I know it will have a positive impact on the growing senior population in South Queens.”
By Jean-Paul Salamanca