Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams Announce Groundbreaking on $189 Million Affordable and Supportive Housing Development in the Bronx

Starhill Phase I will Create 326 New Affordable Homes in Morris Heights with 200 Supportive Homes for Adults Experiencing Homelessness

Rendering Available Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the groundbreaking on a $189 million affordable housing development in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx. Starhill Phase I will feature 326 affordable apartments, including 200 homes with supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. 

"This development will provide safe, stable homes for more than 300 residents of The Bronx and offer critical resources and amenities to support the Morris Heights neighborhood in the long term," Governor Hochul said. "As the national affordability crisis drives rent and other costs to new highs, my administration is tackling the crisis head-on with a $25 billion plan to deliver high-quality affordable and supportive housing that will help to stabilize and improve New Yorkers' lives. I thank Mayor Adams, the City Council, and other stakeholders for their partnership on this project, and look forward to their continued engagement in strengthening New York communities." 

"Safe, stable, and affordable housing is fundamental to a prosperous, inclusive city, and we are ensuring no New Yorker is left behind when it comes to having a roof over their heads," said Mayor Adams. "Our administration has a plan to kickstart the creation of supportive homes for New Yorkers who need them most, and we are moving full speed ahead. We are working with closely with Governor Hochul to 'Get Stuff Done' for New Yorkers and make our city stronger and fairer."    

Starhill Phase I is part of Governor Hochul's sweeping plans to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable. The Governor has introduced and successfully secured, in the FY2023 Enacted Budget, a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.   

Starhill Phase I will consist of a 14-story multifamily building and a connected one-story amenity building. The two-acre site had been occupied by a former hospital being used as a residential treatment center, which has since been demolished. The mixed-use development was made possible through the 2018 Jerome Corridor Rezoning. 

The new building will include 200 apartments reserved for adults experiencing homelessness, including those with a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorder. These residents will have access to on-site supportive services and rental subsidies funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. 

Services will include individual case management, family counseling, job readiness training, and financial literacy workshops. These services will be voluntary and individualized to each tenant's needs while promoting independent living skills and maintaining stable tenancy. The service provider is Services for the UnderServed (S:US). 

The remaining apartments will be reserved for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income or less. There will be one apartment for an on-site superintendent. 

Residential amenities will include a rear yard and a passive recreation area on the second-floor terrace. Interior amenities will include on-site social services, a fitness room, on-site laundry, a children's playroom, a computer room, and free internet access available in each unit. In addition, there will be 24-hour security located at the entrance. 

Starhill Phase I is conveniently located in the Morris Heights residential neighborhood in the Bronx with access to local amenities such as medical, education and public services. There are 10 MTA bus lines with stops near the development site as well as the 4, B and D trains. The developers for Starhill Phase I are Bronx Pro and S:US.  

State financing for Starhill Phase I includes $20.6 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, Federal Low-Income Tax Credits that will generate $80.5 million in equity and $31.5 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development is providing $31.5 million through the Supportive Housing Loan Program. The New York City Council is providing $1 million. 

Starhill Phase II is expected to include approximately 244 additional affordable and supportive apartments. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, "I am pleased to see this development coming together that will bring affordable and supportive housing that is in close proximity to transportation here in the Morris Heights neighborhood. The need for safe and permanent housing is at an all-time high and projects like these are essential in our fight to combat housing insecurity in our borough. I would like to thank the New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Bronx Pro and the New York City Council for this major investment in our community."